Paralegal - Elder Law

Job Title: Elder Law Paralegal

FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt

Reports To: Practice Group Director

Supervises: N/A

Pay Range: $24.00 - $42.00 Hourly (Depending on Experience)

ICLS’ Elder Law Practice Group delivers free legal services to seniors 60 years of age and older throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties. This position provides opportunities for zealous advocacy in areas of law impacting the lives of seniors we serve, including estate planning, consumer matters, financial elder abuse, scams targeting elders, Elder Abuse, Domestic Violence and Civil Harassment Restraining Orders, Grandparent Visitation, and real property issues.

Legal Assistance is offered in-person on-site at various senior and community centers, at one of our office locations, or remotely by phone, and video.

ICLS takes a multi-faceted approach in asserting the rights of our senior clients and the opportunities for zealous advocacy are vast in the areas of the law that impact the lives of these seniors we serve. The preparation of Estate Planning and other legal documents provides our seniors with peace of mind as they complete their end-of-life planning.

• The work is challenging and rewarding. You’ll have the opportunity to carry your own caseload (under the supervision of an Attorney) and receive mentorship from paralegals with decades of experience in assisting seniors in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
• The Elder Law Team is complemented by legal administrative support staff to help with client management, case files, and preparation of simple legal pleadings.
• Conduct at least two community legal education presentations (preferably on-site within ICLS service area) and attend at least two community resource events.
• Collaborate with Pro Bono volunteers, participate in professional development trainings, and learn about the civil legal aid community at local, statewide, and nationwide levels.

• Willingness to learn from and work with a diverse group of individuals.
• Patience with clients and themselves.
• Receptive and approachable for staff, clients, and the community ICLS serves.
• Openness to communicate challenges and express gratitude to colleagues.
• Determination to get the best outcome for clients.
• Curiosity and desire to learn about clients’ experiences that led to legal issues, including systemic injustices that have historically disadvantaged persons of color and individuals with low income.
• Passion and dedication to access to justice via civil legal aid.
• Hard-working yet respectful of work-life balance and boundaries.
• Ability to maintain a healthy and sustainable practice to manage stress and vicarious trauma, or willingness to learn helpful practices.
• Passion for learning and personal/professional growth.
• Interest in mentorship for self and for mentoring others as experience is gained.
• Ability and willingness to travel to senior centers and community centers throughout Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.

• Trauma-informed interviewing skills
• Legal writing and research skills
• Analytical skills
• Ability to conduct capacity determinations for clients and establish whether they are competent to engage in an effective attorney-client relationship
• Bilingual preferred but not required.
  
  Note:
  
  staff must take and pass a language exam to translate. An additional pay increase is available for successfully passing the language exam.

Legal work expectations:

• Under the supervision of a licensed attorney in good standing, paralegals will conduct client intake and appointments in-person at office locations or various senior center locations throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties, and remotely via telephone or video appointments.
• Provide counsel and advice, brief services, negotiations, or extended services to seniors age 60 and over on a variety of legal issues including elder abuse, domestic violence, consumer issues, real property, and grandparent visitation rights.
• Provide counsel and advice, and draft estate planning documents for senior clients; estate planning documents include financial powers of attorney, advance health care directives, simple wills, and Transfer…