Paralegal

Michigan Advocacy Program•Ypsilanti Charter Township, MI

27d•Hybrid

About The Position

Legal Services of South Central Michigan (LSSCM) is seeking a Paralegal to assist their Medical Legal Partnership (MLP) team in Washtenaw County with anti-poverty advocacy. This role supports the MLP lead attorney with projects and advocacy aimed at improving social determinants of health and increasing access to justice. The Paralegal will work with patients from the Ypsilanti Health Clinic and Michigan Medicine, meeting them in various community settings. The position is based in downtown Ypsilanti, with potential travel to the Ypsilanti Health Center, school meetings, hearings, clinics, and community events throughout Washtenaw County. Responsibilities include completing intakes, tracking data, coordinating with medical and social work staff, and other administrative tasks for the MLP. LSSCM is a division of the Michigan Advocacy Program (MAP), which has a 50-year history of providing civil legal aid to those unable to afford an attorney, focusing on homelessness prevention, domestic violence and elder abuse prevention, and assistance with healthcare, food, and income programs. The YHC-LSSCM MLP integrates civil legal aid into clinical healthcare settings to address health-harming social and legal needs, including housing instability, unsafe living conditions, public benefits access, and special education challenges.

Requirements

Paralegal studies certificate or degree, some college, or at least 3 years of relevant post-high-school work experience.
Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with people from a wide range of backgrounds.
Demonstrated commitment to serving low-income and underserved communities with patience, empathy, and sensitivity.
Strong interpersonal, organizational, time-management, and computer skills.
Knowledge and understanding of the civil legal system, especially as it affects clients.

Nice To Haves

Relevant life experience is a plus.
Shares our goal of using legal advocacy to effect systemic change.

Responsibilities

Client intakes and case investigations, including possible home-visits to MLP clients.
Casework support, including preparing correspondence and routine legal filings, conducting legal and factual research, drafting memos, and assisting with discovery and trial preparation.
Representation of clients at administrative hearings and school meetings.
Providing resources and referral information to the public, including creating community legal education materials.
Serving as our liaison with courts, medical staff, community partners, and volunteers.
Administrative support, including tracking data for evaluation and grant reporting.

Benefits

Starting salary from $48,709, depending on experience.
Life insurance
Short and long term disability insurance
Health insurance
Vision insurance
Dental insurance
Flexible spending accounts
Option for an annual $1,500 payout if health benefits are not required.
Generous leave policy: 3 weeks paid vacation in the first year.
15 paid holidays.
401K retirement plan including employer match for eligible staff after 6 months of employment.
Qualifying employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
Unionized program.