Paralegal- Estate Planning/ Probate

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

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County (NLSLA) provides free legal assistance to low-income individuals and families. In 2019, NLSLA launched a program to assist clients with estate planning and probate matters, recognizing the ongoing need in the communities it serves. The Trust and Estate’s team has helped numerous low-income families preserve their homes and family wealth through essential estate planning services. As demand for these services grows, NLSLA is seeking an Estate Planning/ Probate Paralegal to help expand its reach. The ideal candidate will have experience in assisting attorneys with estate planning, drafting of probate and trust documents, as well as conservatorships. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are a must. This position reports to the Director of Pro Bono and is non-exempt.

Requirements

• Paralegal Certificate OR 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.
• Minimum one (1) year of experience understanding estate planning, trust administration and probate basics.
• Effective communication skills with clients and collaboration with attorneys.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive client information.
• Working knowledge of MS Office, 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, due to the high number of Spanish-speaking residents in the community, or in any of the other Los Angeles threshold languages.

Responsibilities

• Provide assistance to attorneys with estate planning, trust and probate issues.
• Conduct basic legal research, with appropriate attorney supervision.
• Conduct intakes.
• Communicate with clients via phone, email and in-person meetings to obtain information, answer questions and provide case updates.
• Facilitate communication between attorneys and clients.
• Support legal clinics.
• Ensure administrative compliance, including maintaining client files and important documents.
• Participate in outreach events and attend meetings with community partners to support increased community member access to legal services.
• This position is designated as hybrid. Employees are required to work on-site a minimum of two (2) days per week, with the remaining time eligible for remote work as business needs allow. Specific in-office days may be set by the department or manager to support team collaboration and organizational priorities.
• Travel to NLSLA program offices, courthouses, and other locations throughout Los Angeles County may be required.

Benefits

• Competitive Salary: $50,000–$58,000, based on experience.
• 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 to help you stay connected and equipped to do your best work.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees