Paralegal- Stay Housed LA Program

Description

Change Lives and Transform Communities – Join Our Eviction Defense Team!

Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County (NLSLA) provides free assistance to over 175,000 individuals and families each year through innovative projects that expand access to justice. We see the law as a powerful tool for social change, and we’re looking for passionate individuals to help us fight for justice.

We value diverse perspectives and experiences, and we believe that a strong community is built through inclusivity. NLSLA is proud to foster an environment that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds and abilities, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply.

About the Role

We’re seeking a paralegal to join our eviction defense team as part of the Stay Housed LA program. In this impactful role, you’ll represent and assist tenants facing eviction and contribute directly to our county-wide right to council program. You will meet with tenants and supports attorneys to help families who are facing eviction.

In this role, you will report to the Associate Supervising Attorney. This position is non-exempt.

What You’ll Do

• Responsible for working collaboratively with housing attorneys to provide advocacy and litigation support including conducting client interviews and intake, maintaining calendar appointments, drafting legal documents, conducting legal research and assisting with court filings.
• File CPRA requests and complaints with local government agencies. Submit referrals for clients with local agencies.
• Provide clients with resources and proper materials.
• May participate in outreach and tenants' rights workshops. May provide legal information and counsel and advice to tenants under the supervision of an attorney.
• Maintain client files and important documents, ensuring regular communication with clients.
• Perform general clerical duties, including obtaining case documents from the court both electronically and in-person, scheduling meetings, and conference calls, as well as other duties as assigned.
• There may be an opportunity to assist tenants with subsidized housing termination hearings.
• Performs other duties as assigned reasonably related to the position and generally within the same level and classification as core responsibilities.
• This position is designated as hybrid. Employees are required to work on-site a minimum of two (2) days per week, with the remaining time eligible for remote work as business needs allow. Specific in-office days may be set by the department or manager to support team collaboration and organizational priorities. Any out-of-state work is prohibited unless prior approval is obtained from HR.
• Travel to NLSLA program offices, courthouses, and other locations throughout Los Angeles County may be required.

Requirements

What You’ll Need

· Qualified candidates must have one of the following:

1. Paralegal Certificate
2. B.A. or B.S. degree with 1 year experience working in a law office or other legal setting under the supervision of a licensed attorney with a letter certifying the experience.
3. High School degree with 3 years’ experience working in a law office or other legal setting under the supervision of a licensed attorney with a letter certifying the experience. This experience and training shall be completed no later than December 31, 2003.

• Must have excellent organizational, administrative, and writing skills.
• Previous experience maintaining case notes and client files in a case management system such as Legal Server.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel, business communication platforms, and web-based case management platforms.
• Passion for NLSLA mission and demonstrated commitment to advocating for the legal rights of low-income individuals.
• Passion, empathy, and compassion for supporting people from different lived experiences.

Bonus Points

• Worked in a legal aid law firm.
• Prior experience serving low-income individuals and client groups on housing and eviction matters, with a sensitivity to those in crisis.
• Are bilingual in Spanish, due to the high number of Spanish-speaking residents in the community, or in any of the other Los Angeles threshold languages, which is highly valued in our community outreach efforts.

Why You’ll Love Working with Us

At NLSLA, we believe in supporting our staff as they grow in their careers and live balanced lives. We offer:

• Competitive Compensation: $31.32–$35.71 per hour (equivalent to approximately $57,000–$65,000 annually based on a 35-hour work week), depending on experience.
• Generous Time Off: 18 paid holidays, 2 to 5 weeks of vacation depending on seniority, and 12 days of sick leave.
• Comprehensive Benefits:
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with a variety of plan options.
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance, Long-Term Disability Insurance.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions and options for voluntary contributions.
• Monthly bilingual supplement for qualified employees. Demonstration of bilingual proficiency is contingent upon successfully passing a language proficiency examination. Note: Qualified employees with bilingual proficiency are expected to provide in-language assistance when feasible to support language access and further NLSLA's mission. This expectation applies whether or not the employee receives the bilingual supplement.
• A Culture of Inclusion: We are committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive work environment where everyone can thrive.
• Perks: Technology reimbursement to help you stay connected and equipped to do your best work.

NLSLA is a unionized workplace. Membership in the union is a condition of employment for

this position.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

NLSLA is committed to provide a work environment that respects the dignity and worth of each individual and is free from all forms of employment discrimination based on each and every characteristic protected under the law and beyond.

Decisions related to hiring, compensating, training, evaluating performance, promoting, or terminating are made fairly, and are based on job-related qualities and abilities. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified candidates and employees. We examine our unconscious biases and take responsibility for always striving to create an inclusive environment that makes every employee and candidate feel welcome.

We further expect every member of the NLSLA community to do their part to cultivate and maintain an environment where everyone has the opportunity to feel included and is afforded the respect and dignity they deserve.

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. Please note that, in limited circumstances, certain convictions may be considered incompatible with the responsibilities of specific roles, particularly where the safety and well-being of vulnerable client populations are a concern.

NLSLA’s Commitments

We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging within our organization and the communities we serve. We achieve this through:

• Continuous Learning: Cultivating cultural competency and humility among staff through ongoing training, open dialogue, and self-reflection.
• Equitable Practices: Regularly reviewing and revising policies, procedures, and decision-making processes to ensure fairness and access for all.
• Strategic Resource Allocation: Directing resources towards initiatives that empower communities.
• Meaningful Community Engagement: Partnering with the communities we serve to co-create solutions and foster trust.
• A Respectful Workplace: Providing a work environment free from discrimination and where every individual is valued, heard, and respected for their unique contributions.