Pro Bono Paralegal

Acadiana Legal Services Corporation; Lafayette (LA); On-site; USD 25,325 - 30,952; Full time

Job summary

A community legal services provider seeks a full-time paralegal to support the Pro Bono Unit Managing Attorney in Lafayette, Louisiana. The role involves conducting legal research, preparing documents, and assisting attorneys in various tasks to ensure quality legal services for clients. Candidates should be graduates from an accredited institution or have completed paralegal training. The position offers a starting salary of $28,139.00 per year.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research and prepare legal summaries.
• Draft pleadings for court presentation.
• Prepare legal documents, affidavits, and correspondence.
• Communicate effectively with clients and staff.
• Maintain public benefits resource materials.

Skills

Legal research techniques

Legal terminology

Office operation practices

Report preparation

Effective communication

Oral and written instructions understanding

Legal correspondence preparation

Education

Graduate of an accredited four-year college or university

Two-year paralegal training program or one-year relevant experience

Job description

Acadiana Legal Service Corporation (ALSC) seeks a full-time paralegal to provide support and assistance to the Pro Bono Unit Managing Attorney.

Nature of Work

Assist attorneys with the provision of quality legal services to clients of Acadiana Legal Service Corporation. Generally, work is completed as assigned; however, the position requires initiative and resourcefulness in following lines of research, adhering to corporate policies and procedures, and listening attentively to clients’ complaints.

General supervision is provided by a Senior Paralegal and/or Paralegal Coordinator.

General Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research, preparation of legal summaries and memoranda and assistance in preparing correspondence on legal matters
• Prepares cases for attorneys to present in court, including the drafting of pleadings
• Prepares letters, memoranda, drafts, legal documents, in forma pauperis affidavits, and other correspondence as assigned
• Review and proofread documents and correspondence to ensure accuracy
• Conducts initial interview of applicants for screening, eligibility, referrals, and applications for legal assistance
• Greets and screens callers and visitors, making referrals to appropriate personnel or personally resolving the matter
• Refer clients and advocates to appropriate available community resources
• Communicate with clients, coworkers, community partners, opposing counsel, judges, and court staff effectively
• Provide administrative support, including copying, scanning, faxing, and mailing documents
• Assists attorneys with case opening, closing, scanning, filing, surveys, and reports
• Create, organize, and maintain data bank files and templates in accordance with recognized procedures and standards
• Assists other support staff as needed and all other duties as assigned
• Assists in maintaining public benefits resource materials
• Assists in Private Bar Involvement activities
• Assists attorneys in researching laws and court decisions for determining the most appropriate legal action
• Assists in design and presentation of in-house training sessions for other employees
• Represents Acadiana Legal Service Corporation in various community events, focusing on issues relevant to the poor
• Transmits legal documents to the courthouse and maintains telephone contact as required

Necessary Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills

• Some knowledge of procedures and techniques used in legal research, including the various related sources of legal information
• Adequate working knowledge of legal terminology and legal formats
• Adequate skill in typing, filing, and general office operation practices
• Ability to maintain complex records and to prepare reports from such records
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with clients, attorneys, staff and the general public
• Ability to understand and follow complex oral and written instructions
• Ability to compose and prepare routine and technical legal correspondence

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited four-year college or university
• Non-college graduate acceptable upon completion of a two-year paralegal training program or one-year relevant experience with a law firm or other legal services program

Location: Shreveport
Pay: From $28,139.00 per year