Paralegal - Elder Law

Inland Counties Legal Services Inc.•Riverside, CA

1d•$24 - $42

About The Position

ICLS’ Elder Law Practice Group delivers free legal services to seniors 60 years of age and older throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties. This position gives opportunities for zealous advocacy in areas of law impacting the lives of seniors we serve including estate planning, consumer matters, financial elder abuse, scams targeting elders, Elder Abuse, Domestic Violence and Civil Harassment Restraining Orders, Grandparent Visitation, and real property issues. Legal Assistance is offered in-person on-site at various senior and community centers, at one of our office locations, or remotely by phone, and video. ICLS takes a multi-faceted approach in asserting the rights of our senior clients and the opportunities for zealous advocacy are vast in the areas of the law that impact the lives of the seniors we serve. The preparation of Estate Planning and other legal documents provides our seniors with peace of mind, as they complete their end-of-life planning. The work is challenging, and very rewarding. You’ll get the opportunity to carry your own caseload (under the supervision of an Attorney) and receive mentorship from paralegals with decades of experience in assisting seniors in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The Elder Law Team is rounded out by talented legal administrative support staff to help further your client management and case files, as well as preparation of simple legal pleadings. Additionally, staff Paralegals will be responsible for conducting at least two community legal education presentations (preferably on-site within ICLS’ service area) and attending at least two community resource events. You’ll also get the opportunity to expand your legal network by working collaboratively with Pro Bono volunteers, participating in professional development trainings, and learning about the amazing civil legal aid community – local, statewide, and nationwide.

Requirements

Willingness to learn from and work with a diverse group of individuals.
Patience with clients and themselves.
Receptive and approachable for staff, clients, and the community ICLS serves.
An openness to communicate challenges and an intentional practice to express gratitude to their colleagues.
Determination to get the best outcome for clients.
Curiosity and desire to learn about client’s experiences that led to legal issue including systemic injustices that have historically disadvantaged persons of color and individuals with low income.
Passion and dedication to access to justice via civil legal aid.
Hard-working but appreciative of a work-life balance; has boundaries and respects others’ boundaries.
Ability to have a healthy and sustainable practice to manage stress and vicarious trauma or willingness to learn practices that may be helpful in these regards.
Passion for learning and personal/professional growth.
Interested in mentorship for self and mentoring others as experienced is gained.
Ability and willingness to travel to senior centers and community centers throughout Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
Active listening skills
Trauma-informed interviewing skills
Legal writing and research skills
Negotiation skills
Analytical skills
Ability to conduct capacity determinations for clients and establish whether they are competent to engage in an effective attorney-client relationship.
A certificate of completion of a paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association; or
A certificate of completion of a paralegal program at, or a degree from, a postsecondary institution that requires the successful completion of a minimum of 24 semester, or equivalent, units in law-related courses and that has been accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization or approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education; or
A baccalaureate degree or an advanced degree in any subject, a minimum of one year of law-related experience under the supervision of an Paralegal who has been an active member of the State Bar of California for at least the preceding three years or who has practiced in the federal courts of this state for at least the preceding three years, and a written declaration from this Paralegal stating that the person is qualified to perform paralegal tasks.
A high school diploma or general equivalency diploma, a minimum of three years of law-related experience under the supervision of an Paralegal who has been an active member of the State Bar of California for at least the preceding three years or who has practiced in the federal courts of this state for at least the preceding three years, and a written declaration from this Paralegal stating that the person is qualified to perform paralegal tasks. This experience and training shall be completed no later than December 31, 2003.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual preferred but not required. Note, staff must take and pass a language exam to be able to translate. An additional pay increase is available for folks that successfully pass the language exam.

Responsibilities

Conduct client intake and appointments in-person at our office locations or various senior center locations throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties, and remotely via telephone or video appointments
Provide counsel and advice, brief services, negotiations, or extended services to seniors age 60 and over on a variety of legal issues including elder abuse, domestic violence, consumer issues, real property, and grandparents visitation rights.
Provide counsel and advice, and draft estate planning documents for senior clients; estate planning documents include financial powers of attorney, advance health care directives, simple wills, and Transfer on Death Deeds. ICLS does not assist with Trusts.
Become familiar with and follow Legal Services Corporation regulations and other funder requirements as appropriate
Comply with MCLE requirements for paralegals in accordance California Business and Professions Code §6450(d).
Paralegal I: 0-2 years of experience; active caseload of 1-5 extended services, close a minimum of 40 cases per year
Paralegal II: 3-5 years of experience; active caseload of 1-5 extended services (including with co-counseling w/ other attorneys and supervising paralegals), close a minimum of 60 cases per year
Paralegal III: 4-9 years of experience; active caseload of 5-10 extended services (including with co-counseling w/ other attorneys and supervising paralegals), close a minimum of 80 cases per year
Paralegal IV: 8 + years of experience; active caseload of 5-10 extended services (including with co-counseling w/ other attorneys and supervising paralegals), close a minimum of 90 cases per year
Conduct at least two community legal education presentations
Attend at least two community resource events