Disability Advocacy Program (DAP)/Elder Law Paralegal

Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc.•City of Geneva, NY

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Geneva office of LawNY is looking for a Disability Advocacy Program (DAP)/ Elder Law Paralegal to join our team! The DAP/Elder Law Paralegal will provide direct services to clients with low income who are facing disability and elder issues in Livingston, Ontario, Yates, Wayne and Seneca Counties through LawNY’s DAP/Elder Law Unit with support from federal and state grants. Staff Paralegals at LawNY provide comprehensive legal services to eligible clients and the ideal candidate should have a strong understanding of how civil legal issues affecting communities with low-income intersect with social and economic justice.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree, Associate’s degree, and/or relevant work experience, is required.
Organized and have excellent interpersonal and writing skills.
Demonstrated commitment to helping poor and disadvantaged people overcome institutional barriers to legal access.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with individuals and communities facing barriers to accessing resources, opportunities, services or justice.
Comfortable working closely with senior clients, demonstrating patience, empathy, and professionalism, while supporting attorneys in delivering high-quality legal services.
Applies understanding of bias and systemic inequities related to socio-economic status, race, color, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, genetic information, national origin, familial status, and language, to improve client access, engagement and outcomes.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including a commitment to trauma-informed and culturally responsive services.
True fluency in a language other than English that is spoken by our clients.
Excellent use of Google Drive/GSuite, Word, and Excel; database programs

Responsibilities

Provide support to clients and attorneys, primarily in DAP/Elder Law matters, to include: Coordinate and conduct new client intake interviews
Maintain client files, both physically and electronically, within LawNY’s case management system
Advocate with community and governmental agencies regarding Disability Advocacy and Elder Law issues.
Facilitate communication among parties, e.g., client, attorney, agency advocate
Draft correspondence and documents
Develop evidence for disability hearings, including obtaining medical records and medical opinions
Representation of clients in informal conferences with the Social Security administration field offices, where appropriate
Assist Elder Law Unit attorneys with drafting of basic estate planning documents such as Wills, Powers of Attorney, and Health Care Proxies, as permitted by law and ethical considerations
Assist Elder Law attorneys with client meetings including client home visits throughout the Geneva office’s five-county service area
Assist attorneys with preparation of cases, as permitted by law and ethical considerations
Ensure compliance with agency and funder policies
Outreach activities

Benefits

94% Employer paid Medical Premium with 100% Employer paid in-network deductible
100% Employer paid Dental Insurance
100% Employer paid Life Insurance
100% Employer paid Enhanced Short-term Disability
100% Employer paid Long-term Disability
Vision Insurance
20 Paid Vacation days per year
12 Sick days per year
5 Personal days per year
13.5 Holidays plus 2 floating Holidays per year
35-Hour Work Week
Hybrid Work Schedule (new staff are able to work from home up to 3 days per week. After 6 months, this increases to 5 days per week with Manager approval, as workload permits)
Qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program(PSLF)