Hotline Paralegal

ImmigrationJobs; New York (NY); Remote; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A nonprofit legal services organization is seeking an intake paralegal for the Access Line. This fully remote role involves answering calls, screening clients, and coordinating legal assistance. Ideal candidates will demonstrate strong communication, organizational skills, and a commitment to helping low-income individuals. Bilingual proficiency in Mandarin and English is mandatory.

Qualifications

• Excellent writing and communication skills are essential.
• Strong organizational skills for task prioritization.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Attention to detail and direction following.
• Bilingual in English and Mandarin is required.

Responsibilities

• Answer phones and perform eligibility screening.
• Enter client information into a database.
• Write case notes and provide outside referrals.
• Schedule appointments and send appointment letters.

Skills

Writing and interpersonal communication skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Computer skills

Ability to work in a team

Bilingual in English and Mandarin

Tools

Case management software

Word

Email

Job description

Overview

Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) fights poverty and seeks racial, social and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. For over 50 years, we have challenged systemic injustices that trap people in poverty and provided legal services that help our clients meet basic needs for housing, income and economic security, family and immigration stability, education, and health care. LSNYC is the largest civil legal services provider in the country; our staff of more than 600 people in neighborhood-based offices and outreach sites across all five boroughs helps hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers annually. We partner with scores of community-based and client-run organizations, elected officials, public agencies, pro bono lawyers, and the courts to maximize our effectiveness. Our work fights discrimination and helps to achieve equity for all low-income New Yorkers.

LSNYC employees have numerous opportunities for growth and professional development, including access to our internal Justice Learning Center, which provides opportunities to earn free CLEs and gain experience as a trainer.

Position and responsibilities

Legal Services NYC seeks one intake paralegal to staff the Access Line, our citywide intake hotline. Access Line paralegals perform an essential role in our agency. The team serves as an important front line for our work and responds in real time to low-income individuals and families seeking legal help. Access Line paralegal duties include answering phones, performing eligibility screening, entering client information into a database, writing case notes, giving advice under the supervision of an attorney, scheduling appointments, sending appointment letters and follow-up information to clients, and providing outside referrals. Access Line paralegals may also be asked to perform off-site intake outside of regular business hours. Access Line paralegals can expect to work closely with supervising attorneys and will have the opportunity to learn about many different legal practice areas. This is a fully remote position.

Qualifications

• Excellent, consistent writing and interpersonal communication skills- especially the ability to interview and identify a client\'s needs quickly and accurately, while actively listening with empathy and curiosity;
• Excellent communication habits that are consistently prompt and responsive;
• Excellent organizational skills particularly regarding prioritizing and following through on tasks;
• Thrives in a fast-paced, highly structured, high volume work environment while maintaining quality standards;
• Consistent ability to pay close attention to detail and follow directions: both written and oral;
• Excellent, consistent computer skills – including case management software, Word, and email – and comfort with learning new programs;
• Motivation and enthusiasm for helping communities in need, and ability to work with people from a range of backgrounds – including low-income clients and LSNYC staff;
• Capacity to work both individually and in a team, using a solution-oriented approach;
• Track record of active support for diversity, equity and inclusion, and a personal approach that values the individual and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstance;
• Bilingual capacity in English and Mandarin are required.

Application and deadlines

Applicants must send a cover letter, resume, and two writing samples. Application deadline is July 25, 2025. Please, no telephone calls. As fluency in Mandarin is required, a language test will be administered.

All employees are strongly encouraged to continue to receive and maintain up-to-date COVID vaccinations unless they are unable to for medical or religious reasons.

Equal opportunity

Legal Services NYC is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, people over 40, and gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people are strongly encouraged to apply.