Paralegal - Rural Justice Grant

Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas•San Angelo, TX

24d•$19 - $29•Hybrid

About The Position

Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas (LANWT) is a non-profit public interest law firm that provides high-quality, free civil legal services to low-income individuals and families in 114 counties across North and West Texas. Our mission is to ensure equal access to justice and improve the lives of low-income communities by providing high-quality legal representation, strategic litigation, valuable legal advice and meaningful collaborations, outreach, and community education. LANWT seeks a dynamic, self-motivated paralegal with vision, initiative, and a strong commitment to public interest law to join our team. Depending on office needs, some paralegal positions function primarily as case handlers, carrying and managing their own caseload under attorney supervision, while others provide broader case support.

Requirements

Associate's degree and paralegal certification, preferred.
Spanish fluency (verbal and written), preferred.
Strong organizational skills; detail-oriented, self-motivated, and able to prioritize and meet deadlines.
Excellent written and verbal communication; professional and courteous interpersonal abilities.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and related computer applications.
Ability to manage emotions well and handle interactions calmly and professionally with clients and colleagues, with strong interpersonal skills to engage empathetically with clients who may be in crisis or experiencing trauma and to de-escalate difficult or emotionally charged interactions.
Ability to work independently while exercising sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality under attorney supervision.
Ability to manage an independent caseload, including tracking deadlines and case status, when serving as a case handler under attorney supervision.
Ability to understand, apply, and stay current on Legal Services Corporation (LSC) 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.

Responsibilities

Provide paraprofessional legal assistance to eligible clients in civil legal matters, consistent with program priorities and attorney supervision.
Serve, where assigned, as the primary case handler for designated matters, managing a caseload from intake through resolution under the supervision and authority of a licensed attorney.
Conduct client intake, screening, referrals, and create and maintain accurate electronic case files.
Assist with case development through client interviews, fact gathering, research, and investigation, using trauma-informed and culturally competent practices and recognizing indicators of trauma or crisis.
Draft pleadings, orders, correspondence, and other legal documents; file documents in person or via e-filing; coordinate hearings; and communicate with courts, opposing parties, and clients.
Support attorneys and advocates in client representation and community-based work, including participation in outreach and legal education efforts as assigned.
Maintain organized, up-to-date case records and track case status, statistics, and required reporting.
Develop and maintain knowledge in assigned legal practice areas and stay current on laws, procedures, and issues affecting LANWT's client population.
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; seek guidance as needed.
Travel to courts, agencies, and community locations in support of casework.
Maintain a working knowledge of, and ensure compliance with, Legal Services Corporation (LSC) regulations, LANWT policies and procedures, and grant and funding requirements.
Perform other duties as assigned by the managing attorney, deputy director, or CEO.