Paralegal - Rural Justice Grant

Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas•McKinney, TX

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas (LANWT) is a nonprofit public interest law firm providing free civil legal services to low-income individuals and families in 114 counties across North and West Texas. LANWT seeks a self-motivated paralegal committed to public interest law. Depending on office needs and experience, the paralegal may provide case support or manage an assigned caseload from intake through resolution under the supervision and authority of a licensed attorney. The paralegal does not practice law independently. The position provides paraprofessional legal assistance and advocacy in civil legal matters, in accordance with LANWT policies, professional conduct rules, applicable standards, and funding requirements. Work may span housing, family, consumer and bankruptcy, employment and tax, public benefits and Social Security, probate, foreclosure prevention, education and health, and other civil legal areas. The position supports eligible clients, attorneys, and advocates through casework, community outreach, referrals, and legal education. The role is full-time and hybrid, with locations listed in McKinney and multiple other Texas communities. It involves occasional travel to courts, agencies, community locations, and organizational meetings, as well as regular computer and standard office-equipment use. The current entry-level salary is $40,150 per year; the successful candidate’s salary may be significantly higher based on years of experience. The position is non-exempt under state and federal wage and hour laws.

Requirements

Strong organizational skills; attention to detail; self-motivation; and ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and professional, courteous interpersonal abilities.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and related computer applications.
Ability to manage emotions and interact calmly and professionally with clients and colleagues, including empathetically engaging with clients experiencing crisis or trauma and de-escalating difficult interactions.
Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality under attorney supervision.
Ability to manage an independent caseload, including tracking deadlines and case status, when assigned case-handler duties.
Ability to understand, apply, and stay current on Legal Services Corporation regulations, LANWT policies and procedures, and grant and funding compliance requirements.
Strong work ethic, accountability, and professionalism.
Ability to travel occasionally and maintain reliable attendance.
Ability to use a computer and standard office equipment regularly, occasionally lift and move files or materials, and travel periodically to courts, community locations, and organizational meetings.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s degree and paralegal certification.
Spanish fluency, verbal and written.

Responsibilities

Provide paraprofessional legal assistance to eligible clients in civil legal matters, consistent with program priorities and attorney supervision.
Where assigned, serve as the primary case handler for designated matters, managing cases from intake through resolution under a licensed attorney’s supervision.
Conduct client intake, screening, and referrals, and create and maintain accurate electronic case files.
Support case development through client interviews, fact gathering, research, and investigation using trauma-informed and culturally competent practices.
Draft pleadings, orders, correspondence, and other legal documents; file documents in person or electronically; coordinate hearings; and communicate with courts, opposing parties, and clients.
Support attorneys and advocates in client representation and community-based work, including outreach and legal education as assigned.
Maintain organized and current case records, and track case status, statistics, and required reporting.
Develop and maintain knowledge of assigned legal practice areas and stay current on relevant laws, procedures, and issues affecting LANWT clients.
Build relationships with social service agencies and make appropriate client referrals.
Provide translation or interpretation for clients when applicable.
Participate in training, staff meetings, and supervision, and seek guidance as needed.
Travel to courts, agencies, and community locations in support of casework.
Maintain working knowledge of and comply with Legal Services Corporation regulations, LANWT policies and procedures, and grant and funding requirements.
Assist with housing matters, including eviction defense, habitability issues, subsidized housing hearings, and fair housing requests.
Assist with family law matters, including protective orders, divorce, conservatorship, visitation, child support, paternity, and client safety planning.
Assist with consumer rights and bankruptcy matters, including debt collection defenses, consumer claims, bankruptcy documentation, credit disputes, and loan issues.
Assist with employment and tax matters, including wage claims, unemployment appeals, workplace claims, and IRS disputes.
Assist with public benefits and Social Security matters, including SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, SSDI, and SSI applications, appeals, and hearings.
Assist with probate and estate matters, including heirship, small estate affidavits, guardianship alternatives, wills, and probate filings.
Assist with foreclosure prevention, including loss mitigation, loan modifications, mortgage servicing matters, and tax foreclosure options.
Assist with education and health law matters, including IEP and Section 504 disputes, school discipline, healthcare access, insurance, and long-term care issues.
Provide support in other civil legal matters, disaster-related casework, impact litigation, and strategic advocacy as assigned.
Perform other duties as assigned by the managing attorney, deputy director, or CEO.