Administrative Assistant or Paralegal

Public Counsel•Los Angeles, CA

19h•$55,000 - $62,225•Hybrid

About The Position

Public Counsel is hiring an Administrative Assistant or Paralegal for its Bankruptcy Clinic within the Consumer Rights & Economic Justice team. Reporting to the Program Manager for the Bankruptcy Clinic, this role supports legal services for clients through bankruptcy workshops and clinics, intake and case preparation, administrative coordination, and court filings. The position also helps develop informational materials and AI tools for clinic workflows, and supports data tracking and reporting. The role is full-time and non-exempt. It is a fixed-duration position funded through September 30, 2027; continued employment beyond that date depends on additional funding. The position is based at Public Counsel’s headquarters in Koreatown. Public Counsel is generally office-based, and employees are required to work in the office at least one day per week, with additional in-office days possible depending on the role and department.

Requirements

Associate or bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, and either a paralegal certificate or degree in paralegal studies from an ABA-approved institution, or at least one year of legal experience under the supervision of a California attorney.
One to five years of experience in legal services or a law office.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Fluency in reading, writing, and speaking Spanish.
Excellent IT skills, including Excel, and a commitment to using AI to improve services.
Attention to detail and outstanding organizational skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
High emotional intelligence, maturity, and cultural competency, including curiosity, self-awareness, awareness of bias, empathy, patience, listening skills, and a growth mindset.
Strong team-player skills and willingness to pivot and pitch in as needed.
Demonstrated commitment to racial and economic justice and to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and in the communities Public Counsel serves.

Responsibilities

Organize and staff bankruptcy workshops and clinics, both in person and virtually using Zoom or Teams.
Conduct client intakes and gather relevant documents and information.
Return message line calls and process online intakes.
Prepare cases for placement with pro bono attorneys.
Assist with preparing case memos and complaints, and gathering documents.
Coordinate data entry and outcome tracking for legal matters to support grant and management reporting, as directed by the Program Manager.
Provide administrative support to the Program Manager and attorneys on the team.
Prepare, serve, and file court pleadings as needed.
Assist in developing informational materials.
Liaise with other Public Counsel departments to coordinate supply delivery and help ensure the clinic runs smoothly.
Work with the Program Manager to develop and implement AI tools in bankruptcy clinic workflows.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Medical coverage, including an option for 100% employer-paid employee and dependent child premiums, with buy-up options for other HMO and PPO coverage.
Dental and vision coverage.
Flexible Spending Account enrollment option.
Employer-paid life insurance and disability plans.
15 accrued vacation days per year, increasing to 20 days after three years of employment.
12 accrued sick days per year for physical and mental health needs.
Two personal observance days.
11 paid holidays and two one-week office closures during summer and winter.
403(b) retirement plan with elective employee contributions and a discretionary employer contribution after one year of employment.
Free on-site parking or public transportation reimbursement.
$45 per pay period for employees who use non-English language skills to perform work duties.
Up to six months of parental leave.
Organizational and team wellness activities.
Professional development support and opportunities.
Annual payment of dues for required licenses or certifications and for a mutually agreed-upon professional organization.