Litigation Paralegal for LITC

Legal Aid of Western Missouri; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 52,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Plans

Dental Plan

Vision Plan

Life Insurance

Short-Term Disability

Long-Term Disability

Paid Time Off

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

401k

Job summary

Legal Aid of Western Missouri seeks a litigation paralegal to support our Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic, aiding attorneys in tax matters for clients with limited means. The role involves client intake, researching, drafting pleadings, and maintaining organized case files in a nonprofit setting.

The position emphasizes strong legal knowledge, precise communication, and teamwork with staff attorneys. In-office work is expected at our Central Office, with a comprehensive benefits package and salary

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s, associate’s, or paralegal certificate required.
• Knowledge of legal terminology and research techniques.
• Familiarity with laws at local, state, and federal levels.
• Proficiency with common office software and case management.

Responsibilities

• Interview applicants to gather facts and documents.
• Assist attorneys with research and pleadings preparation.
• Prepare client letters with proper format and grammar.
• Organize and maintain case files per records protocols.
• Support attorneys on additional tasks as assigned.

Skills

Legal terminology

Legal research

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Education

Paralegal studies degree/certificate

Tools

Case management systems

Legal tech platforms

Microsoft Office

Job description

Legal Aid of Western Missouri’s Consumer Protection Unit is seeking a litigation paralegal to assist our Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic in representing clients with limited income in tax matters.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Perform all responsibilities required to assist attorneys in the completion of cases or assignments, including:

• Conduct in-depth interviews with eligible applicants about their legal problems, completing full intake to gather the facts, documents, and details attorneys need to evaluate the case.
• Assist attorneys with research and preparation of legal documents, including pleadings and IRS forms.
• Prepare letters and correspondence to clients, ensuring appropriate form, style, punctuation, spelling, and grammar.
• Maintain and organize client files and case-related documents in accordance with Legal Aid's records management protocols.
• Other duties and special projects as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

Perform all responsibilities required to assist attorneys in the completion of cases or assignments, including:

• Conduct in-depth interviews with eligible applicants about their legal problems, completing full intake to gather the facts, documents, and details attorneys need to evaluate the case.
• Assist attorneys with research and preparation of legal documents, including pleadings and IRS forms.
• Prepare letters and correspondence to clients, ensuring appropriate form, style, punctuation, spelling, and grammar.
• Maintain and organize client files and case-related documents in accordance with Legal Aid's records management protocols.
• Other duties and special projects as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree, associate’s degree, or certificate program in paralegal studies
• Knowledge of legal terminology, principles, and practices and legal research techniques
• Familiar with local, state and federal laws and regulations
• Relevant computer software knowledge and experience
• Strong interpersonal skills to work with staff attorneys and collaborate with support staff

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working on federal tax matters
• Experience filing or preparing federal tax returns
• Enrolled Agent status with the IRS
• Experience in a legal, nonprofit, or social services setting
• Bilingual or multilingual skills, particularly Spanish
• Familiarity with case management systems or legal technology platforms

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The salary for this position starts at $51,750 on Legal Aid's formal salary scale. If the selected applicant is enrolled with agent status with the IRS, the starting salary for the position is $56,650. Placement above the starting point is based on years of relevant experience and internal equity. Employees who demonstrate fluency in a second language are eligible for an annual salary supplement of $3,600.?

Legal Aid offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical Plans with PPO or HSA options
• Dental Plan
• Vision Plan
• Life Insurance
• Short-Term Disability
• Long-Term Disability
• Accident Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical or dependent care
• Health Savings Accounts
• Paid CLE and Bar Dues
• Paid Time Off: Vacation, Sick, Personal and Holidays
• Qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program
• Travel and parking reimbursement
• 401k and up to 3.5% employer match

LOCATION

This role is an in-person role based in Legal Aid's Central Office located on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Regular in-office attendance is the expectation for this role. Legal Aid offers flexible work arrangements to support employees in maintaining schedules that enable them to perform at their best.

LAWMO is an Equal Opportunity Employer.