Paralegal - Fair Housing

Overview

The Bath Office of Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc (LawNY) is currently hiring to fill a Staff Paralegal position to work in our Fair Housing Unit. The Fair Housing Paralegal will provide support services to clients and attorneys, in matters relating to eviction and fair housing, including client intake, advocacy to obtain/maintain public benefits, litigation support, and outreach providing legal information and education to the public.

The Fair Housing Paralegal will have their choice of which of our offices they would like to work out of, contingent upon office space. These offices include:
Ithaca, Bath, Geneva, Rochester, Jamestown, Olean, Geneseo or Elmira.

Staff Paralegals at LawNY provide comprehensive legal services to eligible clients and the ideal candidate should have a strong understanding of how civil legal issues affecting communities with low-income intersect with social and economic justice. Staff Paralegals play a critical role in realizing LawNY’s vision of a society where access to justice is not determined by one’s social or economic status
. Every staff paralegal is expected to actively engage in learning and becoming increasingly skilled in practice that supports this vision.

These are the most significant responsibilities and primary functions of the position.

The Staff Paralegal will provide support to clients and attorneys, in fair housing related matters, to include:

• Screen phone, in-person, and online applications for legal services and intake eligible clients.
• Make referrals to other providers and agencies for assistance.
• Create and maintain client files, both physically and electronically, including obtaining eligibility and compliance documentation.

• Interview clients and investigate their legal issues.
• Assist clients with accessing and maintaining benefits and resources related to housing stability, including applying for public and/or emergency assistance, accessing resources to pay rental arrears, recertification of income for subsidized housing, and securing funds to pay utility arrears.
• Provide litigation support to attorneys, including assisting attorneys in preparing cases for court, conducting legal research, preparing drafts of legal documents, and corresponding with clients, courts, opposing counsel, and agencies.
• Build and maintain relationships with court staff, community groups, and partner agencies.
• Participate in eviction prevention outreach providing legal information and legal education to our community partners and the public.

These are the basic requirements for the position.

• Paralegal Certification, Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree with courses in paralegal studies, and/or at least 2 years of experience working as a paralegal under the supervision of an attorney.
• Demonstrated commitment to supporting individuals and communities facing economic and institutional barriers to legal access.
• Reliable transportation for travel to visit clients, attend court appearances at remote sites, file documents, and attend outreach activities.

The beginning salary for a Staff Paralegal with no experience is $38,670 and the salary for a Staff Paralegal with thirty years of experience is $69,620. Salary will be based on experience. LawNY is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF).

LawNY provides an excellent package of fringe benefits including:

• 94% Employer paid Medical Premium with 100% Employer paid in-network deductible
• 100% Employer paid Dental Insurance
• 100% Employer paid Life Insurance
• 100% Employer paid Enhanced Short-term Disability
• 100% Employer paid Long-term Disability
• Vision Insurance
• 20 Paid Vacation days per year
• 12 Sick days per year
• 5 Personal days per year
• 13.5 Holidays plus 2 floating Holidays per year
• 35-Hour Work Week

These are the traits, attributes, attitudes, and skills that speak to the candidate’s ability to succeed in the position. While no one candidate will possess all of the qualities listed, the ideal candidate will have many of these qualities.

• Prior experience supporting clients and communities facing intersecting economic and…