Staff Intake Paralegal

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Geneva Office of Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc (LawNY) is currently hiring a Staff Intake Paralegal. The Intake Paralegal will provide support services to clients and attorneys, provide intake and screening services for income-eligible persons seeking legal assistance with civil law problems and participate in outreach to underserved populations. This position will work out of the Geneva, NY office. 

Staff Paralegals at LawNY® provide comprehensive legal services to eligible clients and the ideal candidate should have a strong understanding of how civil legal issues affecting communities with low-income intersect with social and economic justice. Staff Paralegals play a critical role in realizing LawNY®’s vision of a society where access to justice is not determined by one’s social or economic status. Every staff paralegal is expected to actively engage in learning and becoming increasingly skilled in practice that supports this vision.

RESPONSIBILITIES These are the most significant responsibilities and primary functions of the position.

The Staff Paralegal will provide support for intake for legal servces including:

• Screen phone, in-person, and online applications for legal services and intake eligible clients.
• Make referrals to other providers and agencies for assistance. 
  

• Screen and/or interview applications requesting legal assistance including phone line(s), referral systems, online applications, community or in court intakes and other methods of accessing services.
• Enter information into the electronic case management system according to intake manual protocol.
• Conducts initial client intake interviews and identifies legal issues to present to attorney/supervisor.
• Provide legal information, self-help pamphlets, brochures, and flyers for other resources, over the telephone, in person and through mail to clients and applicants.

QUALIFICATIONS These are the basic requirements for the position.

• Paralegal Certification, Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree with courses in paralegal studies, and/or at least 2 years of experience working as a paralegal under the supervision of an attorney. 
• Demonstrated commitment to supporting individuals and communities facing economic and institutional barriers to legal access.
• Reliable transportation for travel to visit clients, attend court appearances at remote sites, file documents, and attend outreach activities.

COMPENSATION PACKAGE

The beginning salary for a Staff Paralegal with no experience is $38,670 and the salary for a Staff Paralegal with thirty years of experience is $69,620.  Salary will be based on experience. LawNY is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF).

LawNY® provides an excellent package of fringe benefits including:

•  94% Employer paid Medical Premium with 100% Employer paid in-network deductible 
• 100% Employer paid Dental Insurance
• 100% Employer paid Life Insurance
• 100% Employer paid Enhanced Short-term Disability
• 100% Employer paid Long-term Disability
• Vision Insurance
• 20 Paid Vacation days per year
• 12 Sick days per year
• 5 Personal days per year
• 13.5 Holidays plus 2 floating Holidays per year
• 35-Hour Work Week

ADDITIONAL TRAITS AND SKILLS These are the traits, attributes, attitudes, and skills that speak to the candidate’s ability to succeed in the position. While no one candidate will possess all of the qualities listed, the ideal candidate will have many of these qualities.

• Prior experience supporting clients and communities facing intersecting economic and social barriers.
• Experience working with our client communities.
• Strong and proactive problem-solving abilities, time management, and organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and verbal and written communication skills. 
• Ability to work under deadlines and manage multiple tasks.
• Experience with the use of trauma-informed care practices 
• Excellent use of Google Drive/GSuite, Word, Excel, and database programs. 
• Fluency in a language other than English that is spoken by our clients.
• Passion for social justice and commitment to the mission of LawNY.

ORGANIZATION INFORMATION

Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc. (LawNY®) is a not-for-profit law firm that provides free civil legal services to low-income clients in a 14-county area of Western New York, the Finger Lakes, and the Southern Tier. LawNY® has seven fully staffed field offices in Bath, Elmira, Geneva, Ithaca, Jamestown, Olean and Rochester, satellite offices in Lakeville and Lyons, and a business office in Rochester. 

LawNY® is committed to equitable inclusion across race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ability, sex, religion, economic circumstances, ethnicity, national origin, and culture. We are increasingly committed to creating a law firm where race equity, diversity and cultural competency are integral components of our work, from client advocacy to internal operations.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply, submit your cover letter, resume, and three professional references through LawNY®’s BambooHR platform found here: https://lawny.bamboohr.com/careers/323 When outlining work experience on a resume, candidates are requested to label each position as full-time or part-time and describe unpaid volunteer/internships as such. 

To promote social justice and achieve our mission, LawNY® is committed to maintaining a diverse staff and creating an inclusive and respectful workplace. In your cover letter, please also include an explanation of how you think your lived and/or professional experience or background has prepared you to contribute to support a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion at LawNY® and in our fair housing work.

Questions or Accommodations? Contact Michelle Grillone at mgrillone@lawny.org