Job Description The Legal Aid Society's Civil Practice has a Temporary Paralegal Casehandler position available in the Foreclosure Prevention and Homeowner Preservation Unit serving Queens and the Bronx. The Foreclosure Prevention Unit works with advocates citywide on policy advocacy and law reform issues and handles a broad range of individual representation at the trial and appellate levels in State and federal court. The Paralegal Casehandler will work with Staff Attorneys to evaluate clients for assistance and representation, will assist clients with loss mitigation including submitting and advocating for loan modifications and one-shots, and will advocate on behalf of clients with governmental agencies on a wide range of issues, including tax liens. The Paralegal Casehandler will also identify abusive and fraudulent real estate and lending practices, and seek redress for clients through non-litigation strategies, including filing complaints with governmental agencies. The Paralegal Casehandler will assist with community outreach and trainings. Following the conclusion of this six month assignment, the Temporary Paralegal Casehandler will be reassigned to an available Paralegal Casehandler position in any Civil Practice office or unit if available, unless there are other Paralegal Casehandler openings in the Civil Practice for which the Paralegal Casehandler applies and is selected. ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
- Staff the Foreclosure Prevention Clinic and telephone helplines
- Interview and assess client requests for services
- Provide advice and/or brief services to clients
- Assist clients with their applications for a loan modification or other loss mitigation options, including obtaining funds, such as one-shots, where applicable
- Advocate on behalf of clients with lenders and government agencies
- Assist with outreach to elected officials, community-based organizations and other partners
- Assist in drafting community education materials such as “Know Your Rights” pamphlets
- Other duties as assigned
Requirements
- Paralegal certificate from an ABA-accredited paralegal program, bachelor's degree in relevant field
- Excellent written, oral advocacy, and computer skills are required
- Ability to work independently and in a team and manage a high volume of cases
- Ability to coordinate and collaborate successfully with other groups and organizations
- Experience in and/or commitment to advocacy on behalf of low-income people and immigrants is strongly desired
- Excellent organizational skills
- Familiarity with real estate and mortgage issues is desirable, but not required
- Experience assisting people in crisis is desirable, but not required
- Proficiency in Spanish highly desirable, but not required
SALARY TRANSPARENCY The posting reflects the range of potential salaries for the role. The specific salary offers will be dependent on candidate qualifications, including collectively bargained salary steps for unionized roles. Salary Range/ Salary: $57,724 - $83,272SALARY AND BENEFITS The leadership of The Legal Aid Society believes in attracting and retaining exceptional talent committed to serving our clients. We offer a generous benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation, disability, and life insurance, and more. Salaries for our unionized jobs are governed by our Collective Bargaining Agreement. Please visit our Careers page for additional information. Salary and benefits information will be available to applicants, when and if an offer is made. Click here to read more about the benefits of working at The Legal Aid SocietyHIGHER EDUCATION AND LOAN FORGIVENESS The Legal Aid Society is a qualified employer for the purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness. This position allows an employee to take advantage of PSLF and other State and Federal loan forgiveness programs. Additionally, employees who are New York residents may be eligible for assistance from New York state to assist with loan repayments, depending on years of practice. To learn more, click the links below. studentaid.govhesc.ny.gov/loan-forgiveness-programsOUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION The leadership of The Legal Aid Society is committed to a work culture of zealous advocacy, respect, diversity and inclusion, client-oriented defense, access to justice and excellent representation. We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients, to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us. WORK AUTHORIZATION All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship for a work visa or permit. We are currently unable to sponsor employment visas or permits. (However, for citizens of Canada and Mexico, LAS will provide a letter documenting employment status that is needed to obtain a TN visa.) HOW TO APPLY All applications must be completed online. We do not accept paper submissions. Please visit our Careers Page to review all current job postings, and instructions on the application process. For technical difficulties or questions regarding this posting, please email
[email protected]. As an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer, The Legal Aid Society prohibits discriminatory employment actions against and treatment of its employees and applicants for employment based on actual or perceived race or color, size (including bone structure, body size, height, shape, and weight), religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity (one's internal deeply-held sense of one's gender which may be the same or different from one's sex assigned at birth); gender expression (the representation of gender as expressed through, for example, one's name, choice of pronouns, clothing, haircut, behavior, voice, or body characteristics; gender expression may not conform to traditional gender-based stereotypes assigned to specific gender identities), disability, marital status, relationship and family structure (including domestic partnerships, polyamorous families and individuals, chosen family, platonic co-parents, and multigenerational families), genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or pre-employment conviction record, credit history, unemployment status, caregiver status, salary history, or any other characteristic protected by law. Required Documents Please submit these documents as a single combined PDF when you apply via the LAS (Legal Aid Society) Recruitment Portal.
