Paralegal

Position Summary

Responsible for providing paralegal support to SVP-Legal and Associate Attorney, who is the in-house legal counsel for INLIVIAN. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Responsibilities

1. Investigates facts in connection with litigation, interviews and prepares witnesses, drafts pleadings, and assists in brief writing such as preparation of the statement of facts based upon transcript testimony.

2. Assists SVP-Legal and Associate Attorney in connection with district and small claims court appearances, prepares and organizes case files, interviews witnesses and defendants to resolve cases, negotiates and drafts court stipulations.

3. Assists INLIVIAN staff and agency attorneys in collection efforts from the delinquent rental accounts as needed.

4. Conducts research such as studying relevant court decisions and legislative documents.

5. Prepares documents and conducts database research for bankruptcies, garnishments, and other civil and/or criminal proceedings.

6. Assists with the coordination of the Reasonable Accommodation Committee. Receives & reviews requests, investigates facts in connection with request, prepares weekly written synopsis based upon facts of request for committee’s review, and prepares and mails a written response for participants within ten (10) days. Maintains log of all requests; follow-up as needed. Respond to all questions and concerns regarding request, decisions, etc. from participants, HCVP, PH, Legal Aid, etc.

7. Prepares trial notebooks for each eviction hearing scheduled in Small Claims and/or District Court. Maintains log of all District Court (as needed), landlord-tenant and litigation cases. Filing all documents through the Mecklenburg County E-File system, or at Clerk of Courts Office, and continuous file review/monitor at Clerk of Courts Office to ensure INLIVIAN is aware of any/all additional filings.

8. Reviews tenant files and prepares written synopsis of participant’s history. Conducts legal research on criminal records (state & federal) of participant and any other person associated with case. Conducts necessary legal research.

9. Reviews and discusses Resident Safety investigative notes and Police Reports as needed. Reviews and copies participant’s case file at Clerk of Court. Clerk of Court bookkeeping-rent bond monitoring. Monitor deadlines to ensure appropriate motions, orders, etc. are timely filed. Prepare exhibits, proposed trial plan, anticipate cross-examination, witness preparation, identify behaviors affecting credibility, and anticipate weakness in case.

10. Maintains familiarity and prepares required judicial court forms necessary for filing. Monitors for any and all state and/or federal cases involving INLIVIAN. File review/priority with attorney. Coordinate to ensure subpoenas are issued for witnesses.

11. Assist Attorneys with small claims and district court litigation support and legal research as required. All duties as defined by the NC State Bar.

12. Processes, monitors, tracks, and coordinates all request for file review (outside counsel, Legal Aid, resident/participant), ensuring compliance with appropriate federal & state laws.

13. Assists in the coordination, processes, monitoring, and tracking of all Domestic Violence request ensuring federal compliance, coordinating with Property Management and Resident Safety Department. Conducts necessary legal research, and written responses within 48 hours, maintain log of all requests; ensuring federal compliance. Coordinate with appropriate departments assuring perpetrator is banned from INLIVIAN properties, management conducts participant conference and survivor is timely relocated. Maintain log of all requests.

14. Performs notarial acts for INLIVIAN as needed.

15. Coordinates, processes, and tracks all satisfaction of judgment requests in a timely manner. Legal research at Clerk of Court to ensure correct case number for judgment. File judgment with Clerk of Court. Written response with copy of filed judgment to participant (copy accounting & property management). Maintains log of all requests and/or outcome.

16. Assists Attorneys with scheduling annual staff trainings including legal, fair housing and domestic violence. Maintain log of all training and attendance.

17. Coordinates, processes, files, and tracks all satisfaction of judgment requests in a timely manner.

18. Searches, reviews, and prints participant status, history, issues via Yardi. Contacts Accounting Department to confirm request are appropriate. Prepares judicial form for attorney’s signature, notarizes signature of attorney. Legal research at Clerk of Court. Files judgment with Clerk of Court. Prepares written response with copy of filed judgment to participant, maintains log of all requests and/or outcomes ensuring compliance with appropriate federal & state laws.

19. Provides support for the Legal team’s monthly billing process and attorney time records.

20. Assists with the coordination of informal hearings as needed.

21. Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Political Science, Communications, Business, Public Administration, Social Work or a closely related field; or Completion of a Paralegal program or certification with two (2) years of experience as Paralegal performing duties related to this position.

Designation as a Legal Certified Paralegal or Legal Assistant and NC Notary Public is highly desirable.

Knowledge and Skills

1. Knowledge of basic legal principles, law library operations, legal research methodology and principles of legal analysis.

2. Knowledge of North Carolina and applicable federal laws relating to court proceedings, civil actions, pleadings, trial, etc.

3. Knowledge of North Carolina and applicable federal laws and regulations relating to insurance, government procurement, Open Meetings, Freedom of Information Act, affordable housing, North Carolina Property Code, and summary ejectment proceedings.

4. Mature professional judgment and a high degree of initiative.

5. Strong organizational and analytical skills.

6. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing, to attorneys, court personnel, the general public and to staff.

7. Ability to take direction and work with others under stressful conditions.

8. Ability to communicate in an advisory capacity and relate to persons of diverse backgrounds and abilities and establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

9. Excellent written and oral communication skills.

10. Ability to operate basic office software and equipment such as Microsoft Word and Excel.

11. Ability to research legal literature.

12. Must maintain NC State Bar- Paralegal Certification

Supervision Controls

The employee receives instruction from the SVP-Legal and Associate Attorney but is expected to have the demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment as appropriate. Normally, the employee plans and carries out routine work activities with minimal supervision and independently resolves problems that arise. Instructions to the employee may be general or specific in nature. In dealing with problematic issues, it is anticipated that the employee will consult with the supervisor. The employee's work is reviewed for conformity to organizational policies and attainment of objectives. The employee has no supervisory duties.

Guidelines

The employee follows INLIVIAN’s policies and procedures, HUD regulations, legal resources, and federal and state laws and regulations, in accomplishing assignments. Methods for accomplishing routine work are at the discretion of the employee with oversight from supervisor, subject to existing practices and procedures. When unusual situations arise, the employee may request guidance from the supervisor.

Complexity

The employee performs a variety of legal tasks in varying degrees of complexity, but which are all sensitive in nature. The employee is required to exercise personal judgment in making decisions in accomplishing assignments and maintaining a strict confidentiality. Some tasks are very complex and require superior knowledge and intellect to solve them.

Scope and Effect

The employee's work affects the Operations Department’s effectiveness in providing sound legal advice to INLIVIAN. A good job performance by the employee enhances INLIVIAN’s ability to provide housing and assistance to its residents.

Personal Contacts

The employee has contact with INLIVIAN employees at all levels and with various categories of persons including attorney, court personnel, the general public, residents, business firms, contractors, consultants, insurance agencies, representatives of various social service, educational and city agencies. The primary purpose of contacts is to gain, clarify, or give information; plan, coordinate, and advise on work efforts; motivate, influence, or direct persons or groups; and to justify defend, negotiate, or resolve controversial matters or issues.