Paralegal

The Legal Action Center (LAC) seeks a full-time Paralegal (Case Handler) to provide direct legal services, client and stakeholder training and education, community engagement, and policy advocacy. This person will join LAC’s legal department. The team provides litigation and legal services for over 1,000 people annually. Together with other staff, they also engage in robust education, outreach, and technical assistance programs that reach thousands more. These programs directly inform – and are informed by – LAC’s policy advocacy and special projects, such as Clean Slate NY.

This position reports to the Managing Attorney of Legal Services. The position is based in New York City. LAC has instituted a hybrid work model that offers the opportunity to work remotely, some of the time. COVID-19 vaccination and boosters are preferred.

About the Organization: The Legal Action Center (LAC) fights for the rights of people who use drugs, are in recovery, are living with HIV/AIDS or mental health conditions, and people with arrest/conviction records. We combat discrimination and advocate for equitable health outcomes and to drastically shrink the reach and harm of the criminal legal system. With offices in New York City and Washington, D.C., LAC uses a multi-faceted approach to effectuate its mission and create systemic change, including through impact litigation, legal services, education, and policy advocacy.

For over 50 years, LAC has fought to dismantle systemic barriers that perpetuate racial disparities in health, justice, and opportunities. LAC’s litigation and legal services program has established cutting-edge legal precedents and provided legal services that helped tens of thousands of individuals with conviction and arrest records, substance use disorders, or HIV/AIDS overcome discrimination and privacy violations in myriad walks of life, including employment, housing, education, and health care. Read about our legal services and impact litigation.

Responsibilities:

• • Direct Legal Services
• Interview clients; provide clients with legal information, referrals, or advice under an attorney's supervision
• Work with attorneys to resolve client legal issues, including investigating and analyzing cases, and conducting advocacy
• Work with clients who have criminal legal system involvement to understand their records and develop effective “evidence of rehabilitation” packages, including help drafting personal statements, compiling letters of reference, and applying for sealing and Certificates of Relief or Good Conduct
• Manage cases and maintain client relationships during LAC's representation
• Enter and maintain accurate and timely data in our client management database
• Opportunities to represent clients in administrative proceedings when resources permit
• Client and Stakeholder Training and Education
• Provide virtual and in-person training to clients, directly impacted communities, and providers/advocates working within those communities. This includes traveling to trainings held at community partner sites throughout New York City and occasionally in other New York counties
• Assist in development of new print and web-based know-your-rights materials
  • Community Engagement
• Conduct virtual and in-person outreach within directly impacted communities and with organizations working within those communities, including making outreach presentations, attending community events throughout the five boroughs and occasionally other New York counties, and networking to generate cross-referrals
  • Policy Advocacy
• Opportunities to engage in policy advocacy when resources permit

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated interest in the rights of people with criminal legal involvement, people who are living with HIV/AIDS, or who use(d) substances, as well as a commitment to approach these issues through a racial justice lens. Candidates with lived experience are encouraged to apply
• Two years of college and at least one year of client service, customer service, or related work experience OR at least three years of client service, customer service, or related work experience. Work experience can include internships, volunteer work, and jailhouse lawyering or other work performed in jail or prison
• Strong communication skills with ability to convey information clearly and effectively to people with varied levels of legal knowledge and understanding of LAC’s issue areas
• Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel) and ability to learn LAC’s client database
• Excellent organizational and time management skills; ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Ability to coordinate and collaborate successfully with colleagues and clients as well as other groups and organizations
• Ability to work from LAC’s New York office at least one day a week (Wednesdays); ability to travel to in-person events across New York City and occasionally other New York State counties
• Maintain business hours (9 am-5 pm or 10 am-6 pm); occasionally work late as needed

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience facilitating trainings or meetings, or other public speaking
• Experience with databases such as Salesforce or legal case management systems
• Fluency or proficiency in Spanish or another language spoken by the communities we serve is helpful but not required

Compensation and Benefits

Salary is commensurate with experience, ranging from $55,000 to $65,500.Excellent benefits include medical insurance, a 403(b) plan with employer contribution, and pre-tax flexible benefits.

Application Instructions

Please email a cover letter,

résumé, and writing sample (no calls) to humanresources@lac.org and write “Paralegal (case handler)” in the subject line. Please submit your résumé and cover letter as one PDF document. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

The Legal Action Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Members of LAC's stakeholder populations are strongly encouraged to apply.

Fluency or proficiency in Spanish or another language spoken by the communities we serve is helpful but not required.