Housing Unit Paralegal

Community Legal Services, Inc. • Philadelphia, PA

4d

About The Position

CLS is seeking a paralegal for its Housing Unit. This full-time position is responsible for interviewing potential clients both in person and over the telephone on a rotating basis with other unit members, providing advice and representation to the unit’s clients as well as maintaining a large number of client files, under the supervision of attorneys in the unit.

Requirements

• Two or four-year college degree
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong writing skills
• Ability to deal with a high volume of direct client interaction
• Word processing, Internet, and office skills
• Ability to learn a large volume of complex material quickly, initiative, strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact well in a multi-cultural environment.
• Willingness and motivation to assist on substantive cases and administrative matters.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Nice To Haves

• Some substantive experience in Housing law is preferred, but not required
• Experience in legislative or administrative advocacy, or experience with a social services agency or a nonprofit organization that advocates on behalf of the low-income individuals is preferred.
• Proficiency in Office365/Microsoft Office (highly preferred)
• Fluency in Spanish, including the ability to read and write fluently, and to translate written documents accurately is preferred

Responsibilities

• Providing direct representation of clients in administrative proceedings, including representation at fair housing hearings, public housing grievance and admissions hearings
• Maintaining a client caseload and exercising independent professional judgment required of an advocate on all aspects of each individual case
• Assisting in negotiations with opposing parties, which will include frequent contact with landlords, public housing managers, apartment managers, public housing caseworkers, opposing counsel, etc.
• Assisting in litigation support, including drafting pleadings, affidavits, and discovery
• Conducting eligibility and substantive interviews in person and by telephone. Interviews may at times take place outside the regular office setting
• Providing basic information and referrals to applicants, including those ineligible for services
• Maintaining accurate and complete client files and administrative records, including data entry into client databases and other requirements, such as timekeeping
• Participating in policy advocacy around issues such as habitability, preservation of affordable housing, reasonable accommodations and barriers to housing due to domestic/sexual violence and criminal records
• Outreaching to community, including legal education presentations. Presentations may take place outside of the regular office setting, and after office hours
• Knowledge of other community resources for appropriate referrals
• Interviewing clients
• Obtaining relevant case facts and drafting thorough memoranda for the case handlers
• Negotiating favorable outcomes for clients
• Giving clients advice under the supervision of attorneys

Benefits

• CLS offers a very generous and competitive benefits package including 100% employer paid medical (including gender affirming care), life, and short/long-term disability benefits, a 403(b)-retirement plan with employer contribution, and a generous leave package, including 13 paid holidays and five personal holidays each year.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level