Paralegal III - Litigation and Public Records

Boston Housing; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 62,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12 paid holidays

5 personal days

3 weeks vacation

3 weeks of paid sick leave

MBTA discount

Pension plan

Healthcare through the Commonwealth

Job summary

Boston Housing is seeking a Paralegal III to support its Litigation and Public Records work. The role focuses on civil trial preparation for housing and landlord-tenant matters, fact investigations, research, and writing, with court and administrative proceedings participation.

The candidate will respond to inquiries from staff, tenants, and counsel, assist in training non-legal staff, and manage case files and records using the department's case management system.

Qualifications

• Paralegal degree from an accredited institution, or the equivalent (credits toward a law degree) or two years of paralegal experience.
• Excellent written, computer research, oral communication and organizational skills.
• Paralegal experience in litigation and/or housing/landlord-tenant law preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepares housing and landlord-tenant cases for litigation by compiling case materials, drafting discoveries, motions and briefs, and preparing exhibits.
• Assists in other civil litigation matters such as contracts, construction disputes, discrimination, and real estate cases.
• Assists attorneys at court and administrative proceedings.
• Represents the Legal Department at internal meetings and communicates status to staff.
• Uses database to record activities, compile statistics and prepare reports.
• Prepares materials for and communicates with the constable.
• Trains staff on case filing, management systems, and office procedures.
• Reviews public records requests, redacts as needed, and drafts responses.
• Maintains records for real estate transactions.
• Performs other related duties as directed.

Skills

Legal research

Written communication

Oral communication

Organizational skills

Drafting

Education

Paralegal degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Case management system

Job description

Paralegal III - Litigation and Public Records

Unit: Exempt

Grade: 8

Salary Range: $62,307.14 - $72,106.17

General Description:
ABOUT THE JOB:
Reporting to the General Counsel or his/her designee, the candidate assists BHA’s attorneys with civil trial preparation tasks with particular focus on housing and landlord-tenant matters; fact investigations; legal research and writing; and attendance at court and other proceedings. The candidate responds to day-to-day inquiries from BHA staff, BHA tenants, and outside and opposing counsel with regard to BHA litigation matters; and assists with Legal Department sponsored training of BHA non-legal staff as needed.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Prepares housing and landlord-tenant cases for litigation or other proceedings by: compiling all necessary case materials; drafting and responding to discovery, motions, briefs, and memoranda; compiling and preparing exhibits, preparing and submitting documents for hard-copy and electronic-filing with courts and administrative agencies; interviewing witnesses; researching issues of law; and investigating issues of fact.
• As needed and in similar manner, prepares other civil litigation matters such as contract and construction disputes, discrimination claims, and real estate-related cases for litigation or other proceedings.
• Assists BHA attorneys at court and administrative proceedings.
• Represents the Legal Department at BHA internal meetings as directed.
• Communicates routinely with BHA personnel on the status of matters handled and responds to questions.
• Uses database for recording activities and actions taken in each matter. Compiles statistics on matters from database or other sources. Compiles and prepares reports on matters handled and related information. Organizes and maintains files and records
• Prepares necessary materials for and communicates with BHA’s constable.
• Trains other legal and paralegal staff on how to compile a proper case file, the proper use of the case management system, and other office procedures.
• Reviews public records requests, coordinates with BHA staff to compile records, redacts records as needed, in consultation with the General Counsel or his/her designee determines whether records are public, and drafts and sends responses.
• Compiles and maintains records for real estate transactions.
• Perform other related duties as directed by the General Counsel or his/her designee

Minimum Qualifications & Experience: Paralegal degree from an accredited institution of higher learning, or the equivalent in the form of credits toward a law degree, or two years of practical experience working as a paralegal in a law office. Excellent written, computer research, oral communication and organizational skills. Paralegal experience in the field of litigation and/or in housing or landlord-tenant law is preferred.

BHA BENEFITS: BHA’s generous benefits package includes 12 paid holidays, 5 personal days, 3 weeks of vacation, 3 weeks of paid sick leave, MBTA discount, participation in the City’s pension plan, and healthcare through the Commonwealth, and much more.

ABOUT US: Boston Housing Authority (BHA) fosters sustainable communities by providing quality affordable housing, bringing stability, opportunity, and peace of mind to thousands of low and moderate-income families across Greater Boston and the City of Boston as a whole. As the largest provider of affordable housing in Boston, one of the most expensive cities in the country, BHA understands housing as a crucial platform for individual, household, and community stability. Through our public housing communities and rental assistance programs, BHA provides housing assistance and services to more than 62,000 low and moderate-income households, including families with children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities. As a housing authority, we recognize the historical role that residential segregation has played in the City of Boston. In all aspects of our operations, internally and externally, BHA is committed to breaking down the barriers to justice in housing and related fields that disproportionately impact the communities we serve.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY: BHA is a proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, and qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, physical or mental disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, and military and veteran status, or any other basis protected by local, state or federal law. To the greatest extent possible, it is the policy of BHA to give preference in employment to BHA public housing and leased housing residents, and to low-income persons.