Paralegal – Consumer Debt & Bankruptcy

Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County • Los Angeles, CA

6d • $31 - $36 • Hybrid

About The Position

Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County (NLSLA) provides free assistance to over 175,000 individuals and families each year through innovative projects that expand access to justice. We see the law as a powerful tool for social change, and we’re looking for passionate individuals to help us fight for justice.

We value diverse perspectives and experiences, and we believe that a strong community is built through inclusivity. NLSLA is proud to foster an environment that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds and abilities, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply.

Join the attorneys, paralegals and intake screener on the Consumer Debt & Bankruptcy. The team provides self-help services, brief/limited-scope services and direct representation. As part of this work, the team staffs a self-help center at the Bankruptcy Court in Woodland Hills on Tuesdays and Thursdays, a self-help center at Chatsworth Courthouse on Thursdays, and a monthly consumer debt clinic at the Van Nuys Public Library.

The paralegal would be required to staff these self-help centers up to two days per week, including covering for other paralegals when they are out, rotate coverage of the monthly Consumer Debt Clinic at the Van Nuys Public Library with other paralegals, cover other clinics that may be developed, and various outreach and educational events.

In this role, you would report to the supervising attorney of the Consumer Debt & Bankruptcy Team. This position is non-exempt.

Requirements

• Paralegal Certificate
• B.A. or B.S. degree with 1 year experience working in a law office or other legal setting under the supervision of a licensed attorney with a letter certifying the experience.
• High School degree with 3 years’ experience working in a law office or other legal setting under the supervision of a licensed attorney with a letter certifying the experience. This experience and training?would need to have been completed by?December 31, 2022.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel, business communication platforms, and web-based case management platforms.
• Passion for NLSLA mission and demonstrated commitment to advocating for the legal rights of low-income individuals.
• Passion, empathy, and compassion for supporting people from different lived experiences.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual in Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin or Cantonese), or in any of the other Los Angeles threshold languages due to the high number of diverse linguistic needs residents in the community, , which is highly valued in our community outreach efforts.
• Knowledge of Consumer and Bankruptcy legal process.
• Passion for supporting people from different lived experiences.

Responsibilities

• Staff self-help centers multiple days per week, team clinics and outreach events, , including covering for other paralegals when they are out
• Provide information and guidance to self-represented litigants
• Screen litigants for bankruptcy and consumer issues
• Screen litigants for eligibility
• Handle a high volume of calls and walk-in applicants
• Support attorneys at community-based legal clinics, self-help centers and with retained clients, and remotely
• Assist staff and Pro Bono attorneys with the litigants
• Prepare legal documents
• Finalize retainer agreements
• Input and track data for grant reporting purposes
• Maintain client and referral database
• Coordinate and deliver presentations
• File documents with the court
• Provide translation and interpretation where language capacity permits

Benefits

• 15 paid holidays
• 2 to 5 weeks of vacation depending on seniority
• 12 days of sick leave
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with a variety of plan options.
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance, Long-Term Disability Insurance.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions and options for voluntary contributions.
• Monthly bilingual supplement for qualified employees.
• Technology reimbursement

What This Job Offers

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