Paralegal - Legal Services for Elder Justice

Jewish Association for Services for the Aged•New York, NY

22h

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Director of Legal Services or their designee, assists in the provision of legal services to eligible individuals and groups; maintaining high caseload; representing clients before public and private administrative agencies and authorities; providing advice, assistance and advocacy on behalf of clients.

Requirements

Graduate of an Accredited College or University with a BS/or BA degree, or equivalent.
Good writing/record keeping skills.
Must be computer literate, including ability to learn and use program-specific software.
One year prior legal experience, or an interest in elder-law.
Ability to read, write, speak and understand English.
Ability to travel to clients’ homes using mass transit and to negotiate any steps and barriers in clients’ residences.

Responsibilities

Performs intake interviews, either in-office, via telephone or at older adult centers, nursing homes, hospitals, etc, and interviews applicants to determine whether eligible for legal representation.
Where appropriate, makes referrals to non-legal agencies, provides simple advise or makes other appropriate disposition of legal matters.
Conducts factual investigations and record searches as appropriate (i.e. tenant-landlord, Medicaid, social security cases), and reports findings to attorneys.
Assists staff attorneys to prepare with cases.
Under the supervision of the Director of Legal Services and staff attorneys, is responsible for assisting in the provision of the full range of legal service. These services include: a) Representing clients at Administrative hearings b) Drafting documents c) Obtaining documents and records d) Legal research and writing e) Negotiation and settling matters f) Interviewing clients and providing advice g) Referral to other sources of legal assistance
Participates in staff meetings, training seminars and community activities as appropriate.
Maintains required case records, reports and statistics within mandated timeframes.
Reassesses clients’ needs on an ongoing basis and revises case plans as appropriate
Informs Director of Legal Services or designee of situations of crisis or circumstances where the worker requires further instruction and direction.
Handles special assignments and duties as assigned.
Performs other related tasks as requested or assigned.