Legal Assistant

About the Role

Volunteers of Legal Service (VOLS) seeks a full-time Legal Assistant to support the work of our legal projects, with approximately fifty percent of their time spent supporting the Microenterprise Project. The ideal candidate will be highly organized, have excellent communications skills, and be passionate about access to justice for all New Yorkers. This role is non-exempt, will report to the Microenterprise Project Director, and is part of union ALAA UAW Local 2325.

Organizational Mission

For more than 40 years, VOLS has partnered with New York City’s leading law firms and companies as well as community-based organizations to help close the access to justice gap for low-income New Yorkers. VOLS provides free, civil legal services to New Yorkers with limited resources, including seniors, veterans, individuals entitled to public benefits, immigrant youth, children and their families, mothers in prison or jail, and small business owners. Last year, VOLS assisted clients on more than 4,000 legal matters, and our services benefited over 6,200 individual New Yorkers. VOLS’ staff of 22, including 15 attorneys and law graduates, works with volunteers from over 80 law firms/companies to exponentially increase our impact. We partner with 150 community groups to ensure that our services are accessible and address local needs.

Microenterprise Project

The VOLS Microenterprise Project helps existing and aspiring small business owners, microentrepreneurs, and nonprofit organizations access high-quality free legal services from our dedicated staff and our network of pro bono lawyers. For many New Yorkers, owning a small business is an effective path out of poverty and into financial stability and independence. VOLS provides assistance with drafting contracts, reviewing corporate governance documents, entity selection and formation, protecting intellectual property, and advising on commercial leases. We partner with community and economic development organizations to connect with clients who would benefit from our legal assistance. We then help them identify their legal needs and create an action plan to address them. By providing our clients access to high caliber pro bono attorneys at our partner law firms/companies, we strive to level the playing field for small business owners who are otherwise unable to pay the high cost of hiring a lawyer.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

The Legal Assistant will work to support VOLS’s legal staff by providing the following support:

• Client Engagement and Intake:
• Conducting screenings of applicants for service, including obtaining necessary demographic data, determination of eligibility, and scope of the client’s request for assistance. These screenings occur through helpline callbacks, in-person clinics, and other sources of intake.
• Coordinating follow-up services, including appointments, referrals, client correspondence, and gathering documents and other information.
• Providing applicants and clients with information, referrals, and/or advice under the supervision of an attorney.
• Effectively communicating with clients to gather information, assess needs, and provide initial assistance or referrals.
• Administrative Support:
• Entering and maintaining confidential client information and records in VOLS’ electronic case management system.
• Creating and maintaining volunteer attorney profiles in electronic filing system.
• Opening and closing files for clients and ensuring compliance with program protocols.
• Pro Bono Engagement:
• Providing pro bono support by following up on matters placed with volunteers, providing client related information to volunteers on matters, and assisting with coordination of pro bono clinics.
• Community Engagement:
• Engaging in community outreach, including workshops, presentations, and participating in community group meetings.
• Coordinating logistical needs for community outreach, workshops, and presentations.
• Receiving and maintaining accurate and up-to-date resource materials.
• Participate in internal committees and collaborative efforts to benefit VOLS, as appropriate
• Performing other duties as assigned by VOLS Project Directors and Executive Director.

Qualifications:

• Experience working in a legal setting preferred. Bachelor’s degree, a plus.
• Excellent organizational skills, solution driven, and comfortable with multi-tasking and managing multiple projects.
• Excellent interpersonal skills. Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• High level of adaptability and reliability as required in a legal environment.
• Ability to work independently and in collaboration with others.
• Ability to work with discretion and handle confidential materials and information.
• Excellent time management skills and keen attention to detail.
• Ability to identify client needs as well as addressing any challenges or obstacles that may arise during the intake process.
• Flexibility to work outside of regular office hours when necessary.
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice, providing high-quality, free legal services to low-income New Yorkers and promoting volunteerism.
• Familiarity with or interest in learning about the legal needs of older adults and benefits applicants, a plus.
• Experience with Outlook, Office 365, virtual communication tools, database tracking systems, and/or Legal Server a plus.
• Professional fluency in one of the top five languages spoken in NYC, a plus.

Remote and vaccine policy:

This position will be fully in-person for the first 90 days of employment. After the first 90 days, telecommuting one day per week will be permitted. After the completion of the six months probationary period, the position will be hybrid, with up to eight telecommuting days per month, with additional telecommuting days during the summer.

Local travel to meetings, clinics, and other events is required.

All VOLS employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless a medical or religious accommodation is approved.

Commitment to Inclusion:

VOLS is an equal opportunity employer. VOLS strives to build and maintain a workplace that embraces staff with different backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We welcome applicants from marginalized communities, including, but not limited to, those who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, disabled, immigrants, veterans, people from low socio-economic backgrounds, and those directly impacted by the legal system. VOLS does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, nationality, creed, age, disability, sexual orientation, biological sex, gender identity/expression, family status, military service or any other status protected under the law.