Paralegal I - Temporary

Catholic Community Services; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 53,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

Catholic Community Services of Western Washington (CCSWW) seeks a Paralegal I for the Tenant Law Center in Seattle. This on-site temporary position supports attorneys and staff with intake, document drafting, and legal research related to eviction and housing matters.

15-40 hours weekly through December 2026. Ideal candidates are law students or graduates with empathy for low-income tenants, experience assisting vulnerable populations, and fluency in another language.

Qualifications

• Law School class level: all considered; preference for Rule 9 eligibility.
• Experience working with low-income and/or vulnerable populations.
• Interest in housing law and demonstrated commitment to public service.
• Fluency in a language other than English.

Responsibilities

• Call tenants to conduct intakes and assist paralegals and attorneys in the intake process.
• Screen tenants to determine eligibility and summarize legal issues with potential defenses.
• Provide follow-up assistance including social service referrals and negotiation.
• Draft legal memoranda, form letters, manuals, and checklists.
• Make calls, handle distressed callers with compassion and respect.
• Develop knowledge of relevant law through training and research.
• Attend staff meetings and weekly case discussions.

Skills

Client intake

Legal research

Public service mindset

Bilingual language

Education

Law School class level

Job description

Overview

On-site: Paralegal I | Temporary | $27.27/hour (D.O.E.) | Starting: September - December 2026

For over a century, Catholic Community Services of Western Washington (CCSWW) has provided services for youth, immigrants, older adults, and people experiencing homelessness throughout western Washington state. Our employees and volunteers come from many faith traditions to serve and support poor and vulnerable people through the delivery of quality, integrated services and housing. Our focus is on those individuals, children, families, and communities struggling with poverty and the effects of intolerance and racism. We actively join with others to work for justice.If this is your passion, we would like you to join us.

If you are looking for meaningful work, make a tangible difference, and drive positive change, find out more at:https://ccsww.org/

CCS' Tenant Law Center (TLC) program is a homelessness prevention program that offers free legal assistance to qualifying low-income households in the City of Seattle and limited services throughout King County with matters related to eviction, subsidy termination, landlord/tenant issues, and credit issues related to past tenancies. The Tenant Law Center (TLC) provides ongoing legal representation at no cost to low-income tenants in Seattle and King County facing eviction or subsidy terminations.

Tenant Law Center is looking to fill four (4) Temporary Paralegal I (ideal for Law Students) who will you will support our Attorneys and Staff with direct client services. As a Paralegal I, you will be interacting with clients on a regular basis and will gain experience interviewing clients, drafting legal documents, spotting issues and defenses, and researching complex issues of housing law.

Paralegal I will be responsible to:

• Call tenants to conduct intakes. Assist paralegals and attorneys throughout the intake process.
• Screen tenants to determine whether they are eligible for our services and if so, summarize their legal issues and identify potential defenses
• Provide follow-up assistance to clients under the direction of staff attorneys. This may include appropriate social service referrals, advice for self-help, investigation, negotiation of settlements, and/or assistance with litigation
• Draft legal memoranda, form letters, manuals, checklists, and other legal documents related to TLC’s practice areas
• Make phone calls using your own cell phone, handle distressed callers, and exercise compassion and respect for all tenants
• Become proficient in using LegalServer, our client management database
• Develop and acquire knowledge of relevant law through training, consultation, and research
• Attend staff meeting / weekly case discussions, currently Wednesdays at 1pm

All employees working in CCS have the responsibility for developing and safekeeping a workplace, which values and supports a culturally diverse work environment. Employees’ treatment of each other, their willingness to try new ways and ideas – all these things contribute greatly to the organization’s success in providing an open, culturally enriched and diverse workplace.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Law School class level: all considered; preference for applicants with Rule 9 eligibility
• Experience working with low-income and/or vulnerable populations
• Interest in housing law and demonstrated commitment to public service
• Fluency in a language other than English

AVAILABILITY & COMMITMENT

• 4 temporary paid positions available 15-40 hours a week through December of 2026
• Unpaid positions are available through 2027. Minimum of 4 hours a week.
• Our office is located in the Hillman City neighborhood of Seattle.

Positions Available: 4

Position Location: Seattle

Note to Internal Candidates: HR reviews internal compensation and determines any increase based on their experience and also agency internal equity factors.Please let us know if you need special accommodations to apply or interview for this position.

Catholic Community Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Visit www.ccsww.org to learn more.