Family Stability Paralegal - Saratoga Springs Office

Legal Aid Society of Northeastern NY•Saratoga Springs, NY

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York (LASNNY) is seeking a Family Stability Paralegal to join our domestic relations team in the Saratoga Springs office. This position supports attorneys who represent clients in family matters that often arrive at difficult moments in people's lives, including custody disputes, family offense proceedings, and questions of child and spousal support. The right candidate will be equally comfortable sitting across from a client who is navigating the court system for the first time and working alongside an attorney to prepare a case for court. If you are an organized, dependable paralegal who wants your work to make a practical difference for families, we encourage you to apply. LASNNY is a nonprofit civil legal aid organization serving low-income individuals and families across 16 counties in northeastern New York, with offices in Albany, Amsterdam, Canton, Gloversville, Plattsburgh, and Saratoga Springs. Our work is grounded in the principle that access to legal representation should not depend on a person's ability to pay. Our Saratoga Springs office is a collegial, active team serving Saratoga, Warren, Washington, and surrounding counties. The area is a genuinely appealing place to live and work, with a vibrant downtown, proximity to the Adirondacks and Lake George, and easy access to Albany. Staff here take on varied, challenging work in a supportive environment. The Family Stability Paralegal works directly with the domestic relations attorneys in the Saratoga Springs office, supporting their representation of clients in Family Court and Supreme Court in Saratoga, Warren, and Washington counties. Cases include custody and visitation, family offense, abuse and neglect, child and spousal support, paternity, and matrimonial matters. This role sits at the intersection of client service and legal support. On any given day, the paralegal may meet with a client to gather facts and documents, explain what to expect at an upcoming appearance, draft pleadings for attorney review, and coordinate with service providers. Clients rely on the paralegal for clear communication and follow-through; attorneys rely on the paralegal for accurate, well-organized work. Both matter equally in this position.

Requirements

Associate's degree
Commitment to public interest law and the representation of low-income clients
Strong written and oral communication skills
Ability to work respectfully and patiently with clients, including people experiencing stress or crisis
Ability to work collaboratively with attorneys, take direction, and manage a varied workload while meeting deadlines

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree
Paralegal certificate or prior paralegal experience
Experience in Family Court or matrimonial practice, including drafting legal documents, handling discovery, and speaking directly with clients
Prior experience in legal aid, public defense, or nonprofit legal services
Experience working with low-income clients or rural communities
Bilingual skills are a plus

Responsibilities

Meet with clients to gather facts, obtain documents, and keep them informed about the status of their cases
Draft legal documents for attorney review, including Summons with Notice, Complaints, Answers, and Family Court Petitions
Assist attorneys in preparing cases for court, including organizing exhibits, tracking discovery, and assembling case materials
Track filing deadlines and court dates and help ensure cases move forward on schedule
Collaborate with social workers, service providers, and other professionals as appropriate to support client representation
Maintain accurate and timely case records in accordance with LASNNY's case management standards
Participate in staff meetings, training programs, and professional development activities