Paralegal

Legal Aid Bureau•Annapolis, MD

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Maryland Legal Aid (MLA) advocates with and for Marylanders experiencing poverty to achieve equity and social justice through free civil legal services, community collaboration, and systemic change. Since 1911, Maryland Legal Aid has provided high-quality legal aid to vulnerable, low-income people and communities – helping to remedy their civil legal issues and become empowered to overcome challenges, achieve stability and independence, and reach their goals. MLA also identifies and seeks to remedy systemic barriers. MLA’s core work includes eviction and foreclosure prevention, family law, children’s rights, consumer protection, securing public benefits, and access to healthcare. MLA advocates operate primarily through the courts, via individual representation of indigent clients, but also engage in impact litigation, public communication and outreach, and policy advocacy. Through this holistic approach, Maryland Legal Aid serves to amplify the voices of tens of thousands of economically disadvantaged and vulnerable Marylanders each year and seeks to be a leader in the legal services field nationwide. Job Summary MLA announces an immediate opening for a full-time paralegal position at our Anne Arundel/Howard County office in Annapolis, MD. Under the supervision of an attorney, paralegals are generally expected to assist with all functions related to casework, from initial intake to trial preparation. Paralegals may be expected to work with attorneys, law graduates, law clerks, legal assistants, other paralegals, social workers, and students on cases or projects. Paralegals must maintain all case files in accordance with MLA standards and may be required to participate in community outreach and education, which includes collaborations with community outreach sites aimed at identifying clients who require court representation. Tasks assigned to paralegals may include any or all but are not necessarily limited to the following:

Requirements

Ability to use a computer, web-based applications, and computer programs such as Office 365 including Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Excellent research, critical thinking, writing, and communication skills.
Self-starter with ability to juggle multiple priorities and meet regular deadlines in a fast-paced environment while balancing a full workload.
Ability to provide quality legal advocacy and representation for low-income, diverse client base.
Ability to travel locally and regionally in Maryland as needed.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience and/or interest in providing nonprofit legal services is a plus.
Foreign language proficiency is highly desirable.
Paralegal certification or equivalent experience desired.

Responsibilities

Screen clients for eligibility.
Conduct preliminary and subsequent interviews with clients.
Make referrals, as appropriate.
Schedule appointments, hearings, etc.
Conduct factual investigation and legal research.
Resolve problems of clients.
Prepare documents and correspondence.
Assist in or develop case theory and strategy for the representation of clients.
Provide community and institutional outreach and education.
Maintain case records in LegalServer.
Draft pleadings to include complaints, answers, and counter-complaints, etc., as well as correspondence.
Perform other duties, as assigned within the scope of the essential functions of the position.