Paralegal I

The Legal Aid Society has Paralegal I positions available to support the Civil Practice office citywide. The Paralegal I provides client services and ensures that clients seeking assistance receive access to available client services, or if applicable, referral to the appropriate outside agencies. In addition, the Paralegal I handles a wide range of tasks that support the office. The Paralegal I may also have occasional duties at other Legal Aid Society offices or intake sites.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Law Manager data entry and maintenance, including:
  • Open and close cases
  • Maintain and update case details
  • Scan files
  • Initiate conflict checks
  • Generating routine reports
• Responsible for record and file management, including archiving cases in Law Manager and managing off-site file storage
• Mail Services:
  • Scan and distribute incoming mail and manage the preparation and sending of outgoing mail
  • Manage court-ordered service of documents via mail, email, and fax
• Messenger assignments that include field delivery/pickups and service of legal papers
• Providing oral and written translation and interpretation support
• Support with client intake, including:
  • Screening / referrals
  • Assist with completing client intake forms and releases
  • Register and schedule clients for appointments and interviews
  • Intermediate conflict checks
  • Unit Law Manager file maintenance and updates
  • Refer clients, when applicable, to outside agencies and services
• Office reception and switchboard coverage, providing general information and assistance to visitors, guests, clients, vendors, etc.
• Other job band functions as needed

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent work experience is required
• One year of experience in a legal or other relevant work (paid or unpaid) environment is highly preferred
• Some relevant college level work and/or paralegal training preferred
• Strong writing, verbal, and organization skills
• Proficiency in word processing and strong computer skills
• Ability to learn and efficiently use new systems
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively on a team
• Ability to work flexible hours, including nights and/or weekends
• Experience in and/or commitment to advocacy on behalf of low-income people is strongly desired
• In addition to the above, fluency in Spanish or other languages is highly preferred

SALARY TRANSPARENCY

The posting reflects the range of potential salaries for the role.  The specific salary offers will be dependent on candidate qualifications, including collectively bargained salary steps for unionized roles.

Salary Range/ Salary: $53,295 - $81,795

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The leadership of The Legal Aid Society believes in attracting and retaining exceptional talent committed to serving our clients. We offer a generous benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation, disability, and life insurance, and more. Salaries for our unionized jobs are governed by our Collective Bargaining Agreement. Please visit our Careers page for additional information. Salary and benefits information will be available to applicants, when and if an offer is made. 

Click here to read more about the benefits of working at The Legal Aid Society 

HIGHER EDUCATION AND LOAN FORGIVENESS

The Legal Aid Society is a qualified employer for the purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness. This position allows an employee to take advantage of PSLF and other State and Federal loan forgiveness programs. 

Additionally, employees who are New York residents may be eligible for assistance from New York state to assist with loan repayments, depending on years of practice. To learn more, click the links below. 

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

The leadership of The Legal Aid Society is committed to a work culture of zealous advocacy, respect, diversity and inclusion, client-oriented defense, access to justice and excellent representation. We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients, to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us. 

WORK AUTHORIZATION

All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship for a work visa or permit. We are currently unable to sponsor employment visas or permits. (However, for citizens of Canada and Mexico, LAS will provide a letter documenting employment status that is needed to obtain a TN visa.)

HOW TO APPLY

All applications must be completed online. We do not accept paper submissions. Please visit our Careers Page to review all current job postings, and instructions on the application process. For technical difficulties or questions regarding this posting, please email -

As an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer, The Legal Aid Society prohibits discriminatory employment actions against and treatment of its employees and applicants for employment based on actual or perceived race or color, size (including bone structure, body size, height, shape, and weight), religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity (one's internal deeply-held sense of one's gender which may be the same or different from one's sex assigned at birth); gender expression (the representation of gender as expressed through, for example, one's name, choice of pronouns, clothing, haircut, behavior, voice, or body characteristics; gender expression may not conform to traditional gender-based stereotypes assigned to specific gender identities), disability, marital status, relationship and family structure (including domestic partnerships, polyamorous families and individuals, chosen family, platonic co-parents, and multigenerational families), genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or pre-employment conviction record, credit history, unemployment status, caregiver status, salary history, or any other characteristic protected by law.