Paralegal - General Practice
Legal Services of the Hudson Valley See More Job Openings by This Employer
About Us
For more than 50 years, Legal Services of the Hudson Valley (LSHV) has been providing free, high-quality legal counsel in civil matters when basic human needs are at stake including: eviction and foreclosure prevention, domestic violence, disability, elder law, healthcare, consumer fraud and more. Our services support almost 600,000 poor and low-income families and individuals who cannot afford an attorney in our seven-county service area. With the gap separating those who can and cannot afford legal representation widening each day, we work to ensure that everyone has equal access to justice, regardless of their ability to pay. As the only provider of comprehensive civil legal services in the lower and mid-Hudson Valley (Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland, Orange, Ulster and Sullivan), LSHV is proud to have handled over 12,000 cases impacting nearly 30,000 household members including 10,000 children last year. LSHV is made up of ten offices, and a dedicated and highly skilled staff of attorneys, paralegals and administrative professionals.
Legal Services of the Hudson Valley is dedicated to building a highly skilled workforce that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels supported to bring their authentic selves to work. We are committed to promoting equity for all, and we continuously review and strengthen our processes and practices to support our staff, clients and the communities we serve. Respect is a cornerstone of relationships among our staff.
Position
Reporting to the Attorney in Charge/Supervising Attorney, the paralegal is responsible for general practice functions and duties in support of attorneys and clients. Paralegals are case handlers in the units and are responsible for the provision of legal advice and services to the appropriate clients. They do not provide secretarial services.
Responsibilities
- Intake- initial interviews and in-depth screening of applicants for eligibility and services
- Follow-up investigations for eligible clients
- Communicate legal advice and assistance to clients under the supervision of an attorney
- Maintenance of a caseload, under the supervision of an attorney
- Provide technical and research assistance and other such support to attorneys as approved by the Attorney in Charge or Supervising Attorney
- Maintain both physical and electronic files in case management system for clients and applicants for services, and in compliance with funder requirements
- Provide information concerning the services the Agency provides to the public
- Provide referrals of eligible and ineligible clients to other organizations for assistance
- Close files, which includes organizing and uploading appropriate documents to the case management system
- Perform translation and interpretation if bilingual
- Participate in outreach programs
- Acclimate new employees in the program to intake procedures and the services the employer provides to the public
Qualifications
- Associate degree or certification in paralegal studies
- Familiarity with Microsoft programs-primarily Word
- Strong organizational skills
- Proficiency in languages other than English is desirable
Salary: $58,862 - $81,221 DOE, union scale, with excellent benefits that include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and long-term disability coverage, as well as a defined contribution to a 403 (b), loan repayment assistance, and paid parental leave. After a brief probationary period, this position may permit work from home up to two days per week. Professional development includes access to job-related training, a Mentoring Program, and an Emerging Leaders Program.
Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.
- $58,862 - $81,221/year
Quickly create a cover letter, get resume help, and more with our free AI tools!
