Paralegal I - Access to Justice Program
About The Position
For over 50 years, Bet Tzedek Legal Services has provided high-quality, free legal assistance to Los Angeles' most vulnerable residents. Central to Bet Tzedek's mission is its commitment to closing the justice gap for self-represented litigants through the Access to Justice Program. The Access to Justice Program operates three specialized clinics: the Self-Help Elder/Dependent Adult Abuse Restraining Order Clinic, the Self-Help Decedents' Estate Clinic, and the Self-Help Conservatorship Clinic. These high-traffic clinics leverage deep subject-matter expertise to empower self-represented litigants with legal information, resource referrals, document preparation, and step-by-step process navigation. The program plays a vital role in ensuring that individuals without counsel can meaningfully participate in the legal system. The Access to Justice team is committed to staying at the cutting edge of self-help services continuously developing innovative approaches to program design that enhance services for self-represented litigants. Bet Tzedek seeks an ambitious, highly organized, and creative paralegal to join the Access to Justice Program. The successful candidate will support the program's clinics, with a primary focus on the Self-Help Conservatorship Clinic. This position is eligible for Bet Tzedek Legal Services' hybrid/remote workplace designation. At the discretion of the immediate supervisor, the employee may be required to work in the office or at other locations to meet workload and business needs. Candidates must be located in the Southern California region and able to commute if needed.
Requirements
- A paralegal certificate/degree in paralegal studies from an ABA-approved institution or bachelor's degree and at least 1 year of law-related experience under the supervision of an attorney who has been an active member of the California bar for the preceding 3 years (required);
- Bilingual and biliterate in both English and Spanish (required);
- Proficiency with the Internet and Web based applications (required);
- MS Office and legal database (Lexis/Nexis) proficiency (required);
- Demonstrated competency in public speaking and strong interpersonal skills (required);
- Demonstrated strong organizational skills and ability to work in a high-volume environment (required);
- Demonstrated commitment to Bet Tzedek’s mission to provide free legal services to those who need them most (required); and
- Demonstrated commitment to applying principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in performance of job duties (required).
Nice To Haves
- At least 2 years of law firm experience supporting multiple attorneys (preferred);
- Thorough knowledge of legal terminology, court rules, and procedures (preferred);
- Experience in state court systems, including Los Angeles County Superior court e-filing systems (preferred)
- Experience managing and coordinating volunteers (preferred);
- Demonstrated interest in the care and/or welfare of older and dependent adults (preferred);
Responsibilities
- Assist self-represented litigants, under Directing Attorney supervision, by providing guidance on court procedures, document preparation, and community resources.
- Conduct intake with self-represented litigants, ensuring all relevant information is accurately recorded and entered into the case management system in a timely manner.
- Coordinate, conduct, and support Access to Justice Clinics and workshops in both in-person and virtual settings across Los Angeles County, assisting self-represented litigants with registering for services, documents preparation, case navigation, and/or educational workshops.
- Manage a high-volume phone intake system, optimizing organizational processes to efficiently connect self-represented litigants with clinic services.
- Prepare a high volume of forms and petitions for Access to Justice Clinics, with a primary focus on probate conservatorship matters, ensuring accuracy and completeness under Directing Attorney supervision.
- Partner with the Pro Bono Department to recruit, train, and manage a high volume of volunteers, ensuring they are equipped to assist with various clinic tasks and deliver quality service.
- Work collaboratively with clinic partners including the Los Angeles Superior Court, other legal aid or court based self-help programs, and community partners.
- Maintain effective case management practices, perform accurate data entry, and ensure full compliance with agency policies, self-help procedures, and reporting requirements.
- Attend agency trainings to advance skills and deepen subject matter expertise related to Access to Justice Programs and self-help services.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Benefits
- A generous number of paid holidays (up to 21 per year), vacation (up to 20, depending on number of years with agency), and sick days (up to 45) annually.
- Personal and floating holidays
- Compensatory time for exempt employees.
- Various paid leaves
- Medical, dental, vision, chiropractic and acupuncture coverage for employees and dependents, with office visit co-pay reimbursement for HMO enrollees.
- Life/accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, long-term disability insurance, and Employee Assistance Plan.
- Voluntary (employee-contributed) life/AD&D, accident, critical illness, hospital confinement, and pet insurance.
- Employer-contributed profit-sharing plan.
- Employee-contributed 403(b) plan.
- Healthcare and childcare flexible spending accounts.
- Commuter transit and/or parking benefits.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
