Temporary Paralegal - Eviction Defense Project
Bet Tzedek Legal Services.com
53k - 69k USD/year
Office
Los Angeles, CA, US
Full Time
Description
For nearly 50 years, Bet Tzedek Legal Services has provided high-quality, free legal services to Los Angeles’ most vulnerable residents. In that tradition, Bet Tzedek is seeking a paralegal to join our Eviction Defense Project (EDP). The project fights to eliminate homelessness by providing litigation-based direct services to residential tenants in Los Angeles County facing eviction or other rental housing disputes. EDP is part of the Right to Counsel Coalition and Stay Housed L.A. initiative.
This position is at Bet Tzedek’s offices.
Requirements
Essential Duties:
- Support a high-volume caseload that includes delivering advice and counsel in landlord-tenant matters and eviction defense under the supervision of an attorney;
- Prepare court forms and case documents under the supervision of an attorney;
- Support attorneys with discovery requests, including assisting with drafting, serving, and preparing responses to interrogatories, requests for production, and requests for admissions, as well as helping attorneys arrange for depositions;
- File documents with the courts;
- Maintain well-organized digital case files and accurate case statistics;
- Assist with outreach and education efforts, including delivering “Know Your Rights” presentations;
- Assist with administrative and clerical duties such as communicating with clients, calendaring, e-filing, and opening and closing digital case files; and
- Obtaining document signatures, scan and save in appropriate workspace.
- Assist walk-in clients
- Special projects, including phone surveys and special mailings
- Prepare information or documents mailing
- Prepare, proofread and process legal documents
- Operate office equipment
- Answer telephones to direct calls or provide information
- Obtain personal information from clients
· Schedule Appointments
- Provide information to team members and coworkers
- Organize and maintain documents
- Mail, fax, or prepare documents for delivery
- Other assignments as deemed appropriate.
Qualifications:
- A paralegal certificate/degree in paralegal studies from an ABA-approved institution OR bachelor's degree and at least 1 year of law-related experience under the supervision of an attorney who has been an active member of the California bar for the preceding 3 years (required);
- Experience in state court systems, including state court e-filing systems (required);
- Thorough knowledge of legal terminology, court rules, and procedures (required);
- Proficiency with the Internet and Web-based applications (required);
- MS Office and legal database (Lexis/Nexis, Westlaw, Legal Server, NetDocs, Adobe Acrobat Pro DC, OneLegal) proficiency (highly preferred);
- At least 2 years of law firm experience supporting multiple attorneys (preferred);
- Knowledge and experience in landlord-tenant law, eviction defense, or similar practice areas related to housing or homelessness (preferred);
- Bilingual and biliterate in both English and Spanish (highly preferred);
- Demonstrated commitment to Bet Tzedek’s mission to provide free legal services to those who need them most (required); and
- Demonstrated commitment to applying principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in performance of job duties (required)
How To Apply:
• Please visit https://bettzedek.org/careers/ to submit a letter of interest, resume, and writing sample for “Temporary Paralegal, Eviction Defense Project.” Please, no phone calls.
Note: All positions are subject to funding; ongoing funding or employment cannot be assured.
To best serve our communities Bet Tzedek seeks a diverse staff with cultural competency reflecting our client populations. We strongly encourage candidates from traditionally underrepresented communities and historically oppressed groups to apply.