Paralegal

For The People (FTP) works with prosecutors, system leaders, and community members to reduce the number of people serving excessive sentences. We lead the implementation of Prosecutor-Initiated Resentencing, a law that allows prosecuting agencies to reevaluate past sentences and facilitate prison release where further confinement is not in the interest of justice.  We work with elected prosecutors to reevaluate past sentences, and where it can be shown that a current sentence is no longer in the interest of justice, we support the prosecuting agencies through the resentencing and prison release process  For more information, please visit www.fortheppl.org.

About the Position 

Based at FTP’s Oakland office and reporting to the Managing Attorney, the Paralegal provides critical support to the Legal Team in their resentencing and reentry/reunification work ensuring that key administrative tasks are completed accurately, thoughtfully, and in a timely manner.  

Candidates who have experience within the criminal justice system or have been directly system-impacted are encouraged to apply.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Case Management and Review

• Support the Managing Attorney in their duties including calendaring, project management, and team communications.
• Works with data specialists and staff attorneys on data gathering and data snapshots for DA offices
• Handles all administrative updates to trackers, spreadsheets, RASCIs, GANTTs, etc.
• Facilitate Incarcerated Person (IP) engagements, oversee and support the creation and mailing of engagement packets.
• Request information such as CDCR records, medical records, etc. 
• Maintain active case records in Asana, Monday.com, and/or Salesforce by updating contemporaneous notes and alerting attorneys on critical information. 
• Organize, format, and upload documents for case review.
• Review and summarize incoming supporting documents for active cases.
• Communicate with Support Networks when required to obtain information and/or provide updates. 
• Translate (or coordinate translation of) documents into English or from English into another foreign language on an as-needed basis for attorney use and to communicate with IPs.
• Conduct Central File (C-File)/case review and high-level case review “triage” to identify red flags to help prioritize deeper case review. 
• Produce C-File summaries and one-pagers, as needed.
• Support fellows, interns, and volunteers during case review tasks and when preparing C-File summaries for active cases. 
• Support safe data-sharing practices between FTP Attorneys and District Attorney offices.
• Facilitate data collection and production surrounding Legal Team cases and provide annual release numbers and other metrics.
• Support the Legal Team with internal and external reporting.
• Support the Legal Team during periodic Strategic Planning efforts.
• Support the drafting of motions, primarily formatting and completing the standard, recurring information components..
• Otherwise support attorneys in the completion of their duties.

Correspondence, Communication and Prison Mail Operation 

• Receive, review, and respond to incoming active cases and correspondence related to Incarcerated Persons (IP) through US mail, email, or telephone. 
• Review, organize, and upload incoming correspondence for active cases, such as support documents, letters, etc. Update Box, Asana, Monday.com, and/or Salesforce workspaces to track all incoming correspondence. 
• Maintain protocols and standardized responses for prison correspondence and develop new ones as PIR expansion requires. 
• Research and share resources with IPs and support networks. 
• Work in conjunction with People & Workplace Coordinator to maintain an up-to-date mail system and respond to IPs in accordance with the IP Communication Policy and FTP Standards of Communication. 
• Manage consistent and effective communication with incarcerated persons through the Getting Out online platform and the use of our Zoom phone lines.

Database Training and Maintenance

• Assist with facilitating training for Legal Fellows and Interns on the Prosecutor-Initiated Resentencing (PIR) process, navigating Monday.com, Box, and Salesforce, and maintain Legal Confidentiality Practices.
• Maintain a detailed knowledge of Monday.com, Asana, and Box updates and functions.
• Provide necessary technical support to the Legal Team when building out new functions to support PIR expansion with established database systems.
• Maintain and organize an active database for relevant training and support resources.
• Provide on-call support for additional training needs.
• Work with the Managing Attorney to maintain team protocols for PIR review, document storage practices, and other areas as needed.

Reentry, Outreach, and Presentation Support

• Support the Legal Team and Reentry/Reunification Coordinator in preparing for releases by notifying all relevant  FTP teams so that logistics can be organized. 
• Facilitate Community-Raised Case Engagement by conducting intakes, reviewing cases, and preparing requests for DA approval.
• Coordinate and schedule DA Presentations by sharing materials and communicating with DA offices surrounding administrative logistics. 
• Support the organization and presentation of Resentencing Workshops for IPs and prison visits for FTP partners. 
• Support expansion of Participatory Defense Hubs by serving as a PIR liaison, assisting Participatory Defense Hubs in navigating case preparation. 
• Facilitate training on case preparation within the community through Participatory Defense Hubs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• A driving passion for FTP’s mission to reduce the number of people serving excessive sentences across the nation,  end institutional racism,  and restore human dignity to the incarcerated, formerly incarcerated, and all who are impacted by the criminal justice system. 
• Self-starter with a strong work ethic and ability to take initiative,  plan,  prioritize, and advance projects and tasks through to completion.  
• Strong attention to detail, plus excellent organizational and project management skills.  
• Paralegal certificate or other credential is preferred.
• Experience working as a Paralegal at a DA Office, PD office, law firm, or nonprofit preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years working as a Paralegal is required.
• Ability to manage multiple parallel projects and competing priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently with minimal direct supervision. 
• Experience in effective project management. 
• Excellent analytical, critical thinking, writing, editing, and verbal communication skills,  with experience compiling and producing reports, guides, training, and other written collateral. 
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment with a diverse group of people in a culturally competent manner, across a wide range of sectors, lifestyles, and attitudes. 
• Desire, capacity, and willingness to support/train/empower community partners and system-impacted people. 
• Ability to adapt to the changing needs of the organization, which may require performing and supporting other tasks and projects for the organization and adjusting schedules to enable attending evening or weekend events and/or offsite meetings, as well as rapid response to communications needs. 
• A strong working proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Docs and Drive, Adobe Acrobat, Box, Salesforce, Asana, and  Monday.com or equivalents, and the ability to research, identify, and lead implementation of office procedures, methods, applicable software applications, and other specialized applications related to the area of assignment. 
• Effective meeting techniques and project management skills.
• Fluency in languages, in addition to English, is a plus. 

 

Location

This position will be located in our Oakland, California office.  The Paralegal will be required to work primarily in the office to carry out necessary support functions of the organization.  Occasionally, the Paralegal may work remotely.

Benefits

• Competitive non-exempt salary commensurate with experience; annual compensation range of $70K-$88K.
• 100% paid benefits package for the employee, including medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, holidays and paid time off.
• 25 paid hours for professional development/coaching.
• Option to enroll in our 403(b) retirement plan.

How To Apply

Applications will be considered until the position is filled.

Submit the information below at: https://fortheppl.bamboohr.com/careers/86

1. a resume;
2. a cover letter that describes why you are interested in the role and your qualifications;
3. three references from people familiar with your qualifications.

Diversity, Inclusion, Justice and Equity Statement

FTP works every day to serve justice and that begins with our team.  We are inclusive.  We celebrate multiple approaches and points of view.  We believe diversity drives creativity, understanding, and effectiveness, so we are continuing to build a culture where difference is not only valued but sought after.  We strive to create a team that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full authentic selves to work.

Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States to be considered for this role.

Request for Accommodations

info@fortheppl.org  and appropriate accommodations will be provided.

For The People is an Equal Opportunity Employer and wants our staff to reflect the communities we serve. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including formerly incarcerated and/or system-involved individuals.  We look at each applicant’s full experience and consider each applicant.  We encourage people from all backgrounds and experiences to apply.  Individuals with lived experience of the criminal justice system and its impacts are strongly encouraged to apply.

Salary

• $70,000 - $88,000