PARALEGAL / LEGAL ASSISTANT
$45,000/yr with medical benefits on contract
The Way to Justice is seeking an experienced Legal Assistant/Paralegal to join its team assisting our attorneys and program directors with: post-conviction relief, Blake PCS conviction vacating, and Driver’s Relicensing. This is a full-time, grant-based position, funded for one year, salary $45,000/yr plus medical.
The legal assistant/paralegal will undertake a range of duties including but not limited to:
Support general office activities during regular business hours, including answering phones, taking messages, conducting new client intakes, opening new files, and managing client data using The Way to Justice’s internal processes and electronic case management system.
Independently prepare general correspondence, legal pleadings, and other documents from notes and/or instructions from attorneys and program directors, using a working knowledge of state court rules.
Track new clients and referrals, and prepare notes and correspondence.
Attend and participate in Blake workgroup meetings, including meetings with members of the Advisory Board.
Collaborate with and refer clients to partner organizations, including Northwest Justice Project and the Civil Survival Project, as appropriate.
Prepare office meeting agendas.
Send new referrals to the appropriate program director and work in collaboration with staff to ensure timely screening and scheduling.
Assist staff with management of cases, as well as events and the outreach calendar.
Manage and complete a variety of time-sensitive tasks assigned by different team members.
Arrange for service and filing of pleadings when necessary.
Work with staff to manage incoming and outgoing mail.
Coordinate scheduling of interpreters and clients on behalf of advocates.
Assist attorneys with maintenance of client files and records, including maintenance of electronic files, consistent with program policy and funding requirements.
Assist in the collection and management of monthly reports, evaluation data, and program information as needed for grant compliance and reporting to partners, funders, and other stakeholders.
Attend in and out of office meetings as necessary.
Ability to research court rules and communicate with court clerks about filing procedures, especially during COVID.
Perform additional tasks that may include aspects of client contact, case fact development, database maintenance, and computer assisted legal research.
Develop and nurture relationships with “by and for” organizations that serve populations that may be affected by Blake.
Participate in legal clinics, including “Justice Night” and “Justice Week.”
Engage with client communities and conduct legal education events for client groups, social and human services providers, and other stakeholders.
Support the work of The Way to Justice and our partners, interns and externs, volunteer lawyers, private attorneys, other legal aid providers, and organizations addressing the legal needs of justice-impacted individuals, and specifically Blake clients.
Demonstrate cultural competence and sensitivity in working with diverse clients, communities, and colleagues.
Qualifications
Possess good organizational/time management skills: successfully manage multiple duties/tasks and deadlines and prioritize work.
Demonstrate a high level of attention to detail.
Prior experience in a legal setting providing support to advocates strongly preferred.
Knowledge of technical legal terms, legal forms, and documents; and be conversant with the requirements of legal process.
Possess advanced computer skills in word processing and the ability and interest in learning new software applications, including data management systems.
Proficient keyboarding skills including both accuracy and speed.
Basic knowledge and proficiency of Washington State Law as it pertains to post-conviction relief.
Commitment to advancing racial equity and experience with incorporating racial equity principles into advocacy and leadership.
Good judgment, ability to handle stress, initiative, and willingness to work as a team.
Highly organized with the ability to juggle multiple deadlines in a fast-paced office environment
Strong oral and written communication skills
Demonstrated exceptional relevant work experience as well as a commitment to serving low-income persons and communities of color
Willingness and ability to engage with the communities to be served with grace and respect.
Ability to conduct initial background research necessary to open new client files.
Ability to organize legal documents in a confidential way.
Ability to communicate with clients, gather necessary documents and information to begin building a file.
Language proficiency in a language spoken by our client communities, especially Spanish, is a plus.
Compensation: $45,000/yr
Hours of work: 32 total including office hours 9:00 – 4:00, Monday through Thursday + independent project hours
To Apply: Submit a letter of interest and current resume to cam@thewaytojustice.com
Application Deadline: until filled
The Way to Justice values all employees and candidates for employment, and we are committed to a policy of equal opportunity that fosters an environment free of barriers and discriminatory practices. The Way to Justice follows the spirit and intent of federal, state and local employment laws and the Board of Directors and Co-Founders of The Way to Justice will not discriminate against any employee or applicant in a manner that violates the law. The Way to Justice will provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to persons without regard to stereotypes or assumptions about the abilities, traits or performance of individuals by age, gender, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion, race, ethnic group, political ideology, veteran or military status, marital status, pregnancy, families with children, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical abnormality or disability, or any other legally protected class while reinforcing its commitment to basic fairness. People of color, those with lived experiences, people who identify as transgender, lesbian, gay, or bisexual, and those with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.