Paralegal - Housing Practice Group

Legal Aid of Southeast & Central Ohio•Columbus, OH

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio (LASCO) is seeking a professional, reliable, and dedicated paralegal to join their team. This position will initially support the Housing Law Practice Group to provide comprehensive legal services for civil issues in pursuit of LASCO’s mission and priorities in Central Ohio. The role involves collecting and organizing client information and documents, conducting intake evaluations for case determinations, completing forms, file maintenance, routine correspondence, and general administrative tasks. LASCO is committed to providing civil legal aid and advocacy to overcome unfairness and injustice, reduce poverty, and increase opportunity for low-income Ohioans.

Requirements

Demonstrated relevant experience of at least 3 years.
Ability to anticipate needs and navigate problems with a creative, practical approach toward reaching successful resolution.
Ability to prioritize workload to manage time and tasks in a dynamic environment.
Proficient skills across the Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint).
Demonstrated ability to communicate, verbally and in writing, effectively with diverse audiences.
Strong work ethic with an eye for detail.
High ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion.
English language proficiency is essential.
Legal authorization to work in the United States.
Paralegal degree or certificate, or a Bachelor’s degree.

Nice To Haves

Interest in and sensitivity to the legal needs of low-income individuals.
Motivated, professional, and customer service focused.
Agile and able to respond effectively to the changing needs of a growing organization.
Creates processes to increase work efficiencies and systems to work smarter not harder.
Open to participating in community events.
Works well within a fast-paced, collaborative, team-driven, and goal-based environment.
Spanish/English or Somali/English bilingual skills are a plus.
Additional languages are a plus.
Prior Legal Aid or related work experience is a plus, but not required.

Responsibilities

Serve as primary support for the daily work needs of attorneys in the Housing Law Practice Group.
Support all functions related to legal advocacy, including drafting and filing pleadings, conducting research, discovery, cite-checking, editing and formatting motions and briefing, drafting procedural motions, and trial preparation.
Assist in the daily work needs of attorneys in person at court, including intake, representation of clients facing eviction, client advice, negotiations, and trial representation.
Build relationships with clients and guide them through the intake and case acceptance process, working respectfully and effectively with clients under stress.
Collect, organize, and manage information and documents from clients.
Support the translation of necessary documentation.
Conduct intake evaluations to help with case determinations.
Perform client call backs and follow up with clients as needed.
Assist attorneys in assessing client financial situations.
Draft correspondence to clients, including routine communications, closing letters, and no contact letters.
Draft forms for clients and other necessary documentation.
Perform administrative tasks including opening hard files, opening electronic cases, sending intake packets, completing reporting paperwork, and other related duties.
Support and collaborate with staff, partners, and other related parties to achieve goals.
Provide other assistance to attorneys as requested by the Managing Attorney or Executive Director.
Perform general office work including incoming/outgoing mail, making copies, sending client information, and other similar tasks.