Job Description
**POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT**
**POSITION:** Paralegal (Full-Time Position)
**CLOSING DATE:** Position Immediately Available and Closed When Filled
**LOCATION:** Hybrid/Remote - McKinney, Texas
**OVERVIEW:** We are seeking a dynamic, self-starting paralegal who has vision, initiative, and a demonstrated commitment to public interest law to join our team in McKinney. Our organization is a non-profit public interest law firm that provides high-quality free civil legal services to the low-income community in 114 counties in North and West Texas. The McKinney office delivers civil legal services in the city and in the surrounding rural counties.
**DESCRIPTION:** As a paralegal at our organization, you will primarily support and help coordinate our response to disasters throughout our service area. You will work with the Disaster Supervising Attorney, the Disaster Response Team (DRT), and participate in local, regional, and statewide efforts or initiatives in disaster response. Under the direct supervision of licensed attorneys, you will support current and future disaster-related cases, wherever disaster occurs. Additionally, you will complete other assigned tasks and projects in accordance with our policies and procedures and attorneys' responsibilities under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, Texas Lawyers Creed, and the American Bar Associations Standards for Providers of Civil Legal Services to the Poor.
**DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:**
- Provide paraprofessional legal services to eligible clients in civil, family, and other cases in accordance with the program's mission and principles of advocacy, other program guidelines, and under the direct supervision of an attorney, according to the Rules of Professional Conduct.
- Participate in outreach and community legal education to clients and community groups to provide them with legal information and assistance and to build strong, positive working relationships.
- Assist attorneys or other advocates in representing clients or working with community groups.
- Conduct intake by answering and returning applicant and client calls; conducting initial client screening, referring clients who are ineligible for our services to other resources or providers, and creating electronic client files.
- Investigate and develop cases and projects assigned, including conducting necessary interviews.
- Make and follow up on referrals of clients to appropriate alternative or additional sources of assistance.
- Draft pleadings, orders, letters, memos, and other written materials relating to assigned cases or projects.
- File legal papers/pleadings at the courthouse or through e-filing, including setting hearing dates, and interacting with court staff, opposing parties, and clients.
- Maintain accurate, complete, well-organized records and files regarding cases and projects assigned.
- Develop specialized skills and knowledge in assigned areas and remain current on new developments in that area.
- Translate for clients who speak a different language than their advocate (if applicable).
- Seek and accept supervision and guidance from supervising attorneys on cases and projects assigned.
- Participate in in-house training programs and staff meetings and activities.
- Report caseload statistics and other information regarding your activities and advocacy to the immediate supervisor, Director of Litigation, and/or Deputy Director on a regular basis or as requested.
- Travel to administrative agencies and elsewhere in connection with the above responsibilities.
- Develop a working knowledge of the law commensurate with your level of experience in areas of principal concern to our clients. Similarly, develop legal skills (such as fact gathering, research, writing, and negotiation) and a knowledge of procedure (such as administrative and court rules of practice, discovery, and pleading).
- Keep apprised of changes in the law and other issues that may affect our client population, and advise management and other staff of such issues.
- Develop a knowledge of, work with, and make referrals to social service agencies and other agencies that can help our clients.
- Represent clients at hearings and other applicable guidelines governing advocacy by non-attorneys.
- Provide our Administrative Office with information on the nature and extent of services you provide.
- Perform any other duties which may from time-to-time be assigned by the Supervising Attorney, Deputy Director, and Chief Executive Officer.
**QUALIFICATIONS:**
- Associate's Degree and paralegal certification is preferred.
- Fluency in Spanish - both verbal and written is preferred.
- Prior experience working on landlord-tenant, public benefits, FEMA, or other disaster-related cases.
- Detail-oriented, organized, and self-motivated.
- Ability to establish priorities and meet deadlines.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Ability to interact professionally and courteously with individuals at all levels.
- Excellent computer skills with use of Microsoft products preferred.
- Ability to work independently and exercise good judgment while maintaining client confidentiality, integrity, and discretion in the performance of all duties.
- Ability to engage in occasional work-related travel.
- Excellent attendance record.
**SALARY:** Current entry-level salary is $40,150 per year. The salary for the successful candidate may be significantly higher based on the candidate's years of experience. The paralegal is a non-exempt employee subject to state and federal wage and hour laws.
**BENEFITS:** Excellent benefits package that includes paid sick leave, vacation, and holidays; a retirement plan; health, dental, vision, and life insurance.
Please submit a cover letter expressing interest, a resume, and a list of professional references during the application process.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Veterans are encouraged to apply.
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary: $ 80,000.00 120,000.00 Per Year
Job Tags
Holiday work, Full time, Temporary work, Local area, Immediate start, Remote job,