Paralegal, Consumer & Economic Advocacy Program

Job Description

Since 1968, Build Up Justice NYC has provided free legal services for low-income residents of Brooklyn, pursuing neighborhood-based mission of justice, empowerment, and community development. For over half a century, we have utilized an array of legal and advocacy strategies—community organizing, affirmative civil rights litigation, and eviction defense to defend the rights of individuals and families. Collaboration with the city, state, and federal officials to enforce housing laws and develop legislative solutions is also an integral part of our strategy. Build Up Justice NYC has three core programs—Preserving Affordable Housing (PAH) Program, Consumer & Economic Advocacy (CEA) Program, and Community & Economic Development (CED) Program—each of which has unique initiatives and plays a vital community role to ensure basic needs are met and fundamental rights affirmed.

Position Summary

The Paralegal will work closely with staff attorneys to ensure the successful and smooth operation in it legal and administrative functions, including client communication and case support, assisting with the drafting of pleadings and papers; case filing; case intake, including with administrative investigations and complaints; records management for the Program; case/data tracking; and answering phone calls.

The CEA Program uses civil legal remedies in the state and federal courts such as representing clients in foreclosure litigation, homeowners against deed theft and modification scams through affirmative litigation and assists homeowners with loan modifications and tax and water liens. The CEA Program also provides non-legal advocacy such as town hall meetings, providing referrals, and working with coalitions for legislative policy changes to protect economic equity of low-and moderate-income families. The Program goal is to strive to ensure that economically vulnerable groups have strong safeguards in place to help them build and maintain assets throughout their financial lives. The CEA Program manages the Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic that represents low-income taxpayers in tax disputes with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and New York State Department of Taxation and Finance and educates low-income and ESL taxpayers about taxpayer rights and responsibilities and advocate on their behalf. Brooklyn A is currently one of the few not-for-profit legal service organizations in the country handling from inception to end in-depth and complex Chapter 13 and Chapter 11 bankruptcies.

Job Responsibilities

• With the supervision of an attorney, research cases and legal issues to support client cases, and prepare the appropriate documentation according to established procedures;
• Interview clients and enter cases into the case management system and prepare letters and request documents to prepare clients' cases;
• Communicate legal details to clients in a clear and precise manner in attorney's absence without providing legal consultation or advice;
• Transcribe notes from legal proceedings and meetings on computer from dictation and notation with precise terminology and speed;
• Research, retrieve and update appropriate information in clients' case files in both hard files and case management system;
• Coordinate and confirm deposition schedules with other law firms as well as field incoming inquiries regarding court related details;
• Facilitate the timely delivery of legal documents and attend court and administrative hearings as required;
• Respond to clients in a professional manner at all times to best represent the firm and respect the client;
• Maintain an updated and accurate master calendar for the team;
• Attend community group meetings and outreach programs and client meetings as necessary. May involve evenings and weekend;
• General administrative duties for the team and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s Degree (preferred) or Paralegal Certificate (a plus) and a minimum of one year legal assistant/paralegal experience;
• Experience with following court rules, filing court documents and maintaining litigation files;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with individuals from diverse backgrounds, local organizations, and people in desperate crisis;
• Demonstrated ability to interact with client of different races, ethnicities, ages, and sexual orientations in a multicultural environment and a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion;
• Excellent writing in English, bi-lingual Spanish preferred;
• Proficiency with MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint and other standard data management systems required;
• Strong reporting and record keeping skills, including the ability to synthesize lots of quantifiable and qualitative data into clear, plain language and readable charts and checklists;
• Must be able to work strategically within a team structure as well as independently, multi-task and work under tight deadlines;
• Dependability, good time management and organizational skills and be attentive to detail;
• Thorough commitment to Build Up Justice’s mission.

Compensation & Benefits

Annual salary $61,000—67,500, dependent on years of experience. Benefits highlights - 27 days vacation; employer paid health, dental and vision insurance; employer contribution to 401(k); and paid parental leave.

To apply

If you are interested in this position, you must submit your resume and a cover letter telling us why your experiences would make you a good fit for this role.

Build Up Justice NYC is a diverse team that is committed to recruiting, supporting, retaining, and promoting a talented staff with diverse backgrounds and experiences that share the organization's commitment to racial, economic and social justice. At Build Up Justice NYC diversity encompasses a variety of characteristics, lifestyles, and perspectives, including race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, education, disability, socio-economic status, and family status. We firmly believe that a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment is essential to both the quality of our client services and the personal satisfaction of our staff.

We encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds to apply, including women, people of color, immigrants, people with disabilities, LGBTQ people, people from low-income backgrounds, and with lived experiences in the communities we serve. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, physical disability, or length of time spent unemployed.

Benefits highlights - 27 days vacation; employer paid health, dental and vision insurance; employer contribution to 401(k); and paid parental leave

Excellent writing in English, bi-lingual Spanish preferred