Tenant Defense Paralegal Req- 5191
About The Position
BronxWorks helps individuals and families improve their economic and social well-being. From toddlers to seniors, we feed, shelter, teach, and support our neighbors to build a stronger Bronx community. In all aspects of our work, BronxWorks strives for the highest ethical and performance standards. We are guided by the belief that people must be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their present situation or past experiences. We have over 65 locations throughout the Bronx providing a variety of programs that assist in the areas of family, children and youth support, educational services, senior services, homelessness, financial empowerment, and workforce development, among others. With over 50 years of experience supporting Bronx communities, we are an employer of choice for anyone interested in a meaningful career in the social services field. BronxWorks Legal Services – Early Intervention Team BronxWorks Legal Services provides free legal assistance with immigration, housing, and crime-related matters. The Early Intervention Team helps low-income tenants avoid eviction through legal representation, public benefits advocacy, and housing support. BronxWorks seeks attorneys and recent law graduates committed to social justice and housing stability. This role offers the opportunity to develop litigation skills, serve vulnerable communities, and help prevent displacement in the Bronx.
Requirements
- Associate degree and two years applicable experience or bachelor’s degree.
- Excellent research, oral and written communication, and analytical skills.
- Strong attention to detail and concern for quality and accuracy.
- Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.
- Able to effectively communicate and build trust with individuals from diverse backgrounds, external resource providers, and people experiencing crisis.
- High degree of professional ethics and integrity and ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Exceptional time management and organizational skills including the ability to manage a diverse and fast-paced caseload, multi-task, and produce quality work on tight deadlines.
- Proficiency in Microsoft office suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and Sharepoint, and other standard business technology, including electronic case management and communication systems.
- Must be able to work effectively within a team structure as well as independently
Nice To Haves
- Verbal and written proficiency in a language other than English, especially Spanish or another language commonly spoken by Bronx residents.
- Prior paralegal experience in a litigation practice.
- Paralegal certificate.
- Demonstrated commitment to social justice and working in with low-income and vulnerable populations and communities of color to advance equity.
Responsibilities
- Conduct and assist with client eligibility screenings and intakes, entering information into the case management system.
- Collect required and relevant documentation, following up with clients as needed.
- Assess case status and category, and identify issues, claims, and defenses.
- Escalate time-sensitive and emergency legal issues to supervisory staff.
- Open, close, and maintain client files in electronic and hardcopy filing and data systems.
- Assist with data entry.
- Enter and maintain team case assignments in the database.
- Maintain an updated and accurate master court calendar for the team.
- Coordinate follow-up services including appointments, referrals, and client correspondence.
- Assist with electronic court filing as well as courthouse hard copy filings and document retrieval.
- Serve papers on other parties.
- Assist attorneys to prepare for court by organizing exhibits and assisting with other tasks as needed.
- Pick up and deliver checks from agencies and charities.
- Deliver or direct delivery of subpoenas to witnesses and parties to action.
- Coordinate and confirm deposition schedules with other parties.
- May provide oral and written assistance interpreting, translating, and using language assistance resources for non-English speaking clients.
- Provide general administrative and clerical support and cover duties for other program support personnel as needed.
- Prepare reports on client and services information.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Associate degree
