The Legal Aid Society's Trafficking Victims Advocacy Project (formerly known as the Trafficking Victims Legal Defense & Advocacy Project) has an opening for a paralegal casehandler to provide assistance and support to Criminal Practice clients who have been identified as victims of sex trafficking and exploitation. In its first two years of existence, TVLDAP has been recognized throughout the legal and advocacy community for its innovative, defender-based, approach to the issue of sex trafficking. This position involves the handling of a broad range of services for clients, with a primary emphasis on obtaining documents (birth certificates, identification) and assisting with obtaining public benefits. This position is on the "front lines" of assisting individuals and families to gain independence, safety and stability. It requires someone who can multi-task and work in a fast paced environment. The paralegal casehandler will also assist with outreach and community training.
In this position you will: provide advice and direct assistance to clients; interview and assess client requests for services; obtain and review client records and determine course of action; interact with clients and assist clients in completing forms and releases; refer clients to service providers and other agencies; handle basic correspondence with clients; advocate with various agencies regarding government benefits; develop community education materials and conduct trainings for clients and other advocates; carry out other tasks of general assistance to the work of the Unit; conduct off-site intake as needed, including during evening hours; conduct policy advocacy on behalf of clients; and perform other duties as assigned.
The ideal candidate must possess: paralegal certificate from an accredited school, Bachelor's degree in relevant field or satisfactory completion of a comprehensive in-house training course appropriate to practice area; excellent written and oral advocacy and computer skills; ability to use and navigate LawManager; excellent organizational skills; ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team and manage a large workload; 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; understanding of and sensitivity to the needs of clients who have experienced extreme trauma and violence; experience assisting people in crisis is desirable, but not required; some knowledge of New York criminal law and criminal procedures; proficiency in languages other than English is desirable, but not required.
