Housing Justice Project Paralegal

Housing Justice Project Paralegal Tacomaprobono Community Lawyers - 5.0 Tacoma, WA Job Details Full-time $29.12 an hour 2 hours ago Benefits Paid parental leave Health savings account Partner benefits Paid holidays Health insurance Dental insurance Flexible spending account Paid time off Family leave Parental leave Dependent health insurance coverage Employee assistance program Vision insurance 403(b) Loan forgiveness Bereavement leave Retirement plan Pet insurance Qualifications Zoom Filing Databases SharePoint Legal case management

Full Job Description Position Title:

Housing Justice Project Paralegal Position Location:

Tacoma, WA Reports To:

Housing Justice Project Program Manager Full-time /

Part-time:

Full-time, Hourly FLSA Status (Exempt / Non-exempt): Non-exempt Benefits Eligible (Yes/No): Yes Paralegal Job Summary Tacomaprobono Community Lawyers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization located in downtown Tacoma, providing free civil legal aid to low-income individuals who face legal issues. The Housing Justice Project (HJP) is a specific program of Tacomaprobono Community Lawyers, which focuses on eviction prevention and providing legal advice and counsel to indigent tenants facing landlord-tenant issues. In 2021, Washington implemented a right to counsel for indigent tenants in unlawful detainer proceedings. Tacomaprobono's HJP facilitates the Appointed Counsel Program for Pierce County. Our office also represents indigent tenants located in several other Washington counties. The HJP Paralegal supports the right to counsel initiative by assisting attorneys and clients throughout the eviction defense process. This role involves managing a high-volume caseload, conducting client intake, maintaining contact with potential clients, and ensuring timely filing of legal documents. The paralegal plays a critical part in advancing access to justice for tenants facing eviction, working collaboratively in a hybrid environment to help ensure all eligible clients receive robust legal representation. Qualifications and Functions of a Paralegal Oversee and prioritize a significant number of active cases, ensuring timely progression for each client and proper documentation of all case-related activities. Conduct intake interviews with new clients, gather relevant information, and assess eligibility for program services. Maintain regular communication with potential clients to provide updates, answer questions, and support them throughout the legal process. Meet with clients prior to eviction hearings to prepare answers or notices of appearance and to ensure clients understand the process and their rights. Schedule, track, and confirm court dates to ensure all parties are informed. Arrange appointments and meetings between attorneys and clients, accommodating schedules. Prepare, submit, and track legal documents and filings with the appropriate courts. Organize and maintain client files using LegalServer and SharePoint, ensuring all records are up to date and easily accessible. Search, update, and verify information in databases such as LINX and JIS to maintain accurate case records and support legal proceedings. Collect necessary client information, relay important details to attorneys, and ensure all required documents are brought to appointments. Prepare for trials by organizing exhibits, witness materials, the trial notebook, and coordinating necessary logistics for court proceedings. Attend in-person organizational and program meetings. Perform other tasks and responsibilities as assigned to support the program manager and the legal team. Make referrals to other Tacomaprobono clinics and programs and other organizations to ensure low-income tenants have holistic access to legal representation and client services for all civil legal needs. Ability to work respectfully and effectively work with low-income clients, individuals from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds, survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault, individuals from historically marginalized and oppressed communities. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Zoom, SharePoint, and LegalServer or other case management software offered by Tacomaprobono. Ability to timely meet other ancillary work-related requirements, such as timekeeping entry, client notes, client outcomes, and case closing. Knowledge of Washington housing law, or a commitment to learn this specialized field.

Work Hours Full-time:

Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM (35 hours/week). Hybrid schedule available upon approval. Physical Requirements The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions. Ability to sit and/or stand for extended periods of time; interact with computer screens and manipulate essential computer components (i.e., mouse and keyboard). Mobility around the office, and abilities to bend/stoop, push/pull, and perform unassisted lifting consistent with the job duties are required. Compensation and Benefits The hourly rate for this position is $29.12 Tacomaprobono is committed to a work environment that supports a healthy work-life balance. We offer a comprehensive compensation package that includes the following benefits: 11 paid holidays annually 5-20 paid vacation days annually (dependent on tenure) Two-week paid holiday closure around Christmas and New Year's Sick leave accrual at a rate of 1 hour for every 35 hours worked and a generous sick leave carryover Paid bereavement leave Paid parental and family leave Public Service Loan Forgiveness 403(b) Retirement Plan FSA or HSA Dependent Care Account In addition, we pay 100% of employee premiums for health, vision, dental, and EAP benefits, offer discounted pet insurance, and contribute toward dependent and spouse coverage. To Apply To be considered for this position, please submit a letter of interest and resume to .

Disclaimer:

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the position. Also, duties and/or requirements of this position may be modified, added or deleted at any time. All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Tacomaprobono Community Lawyers is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, Veteran and/or military status, protected medical leaves, domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law. Our Mission The mission of Tacomaprobono Community Lawyers is to combat systemic racism and other forms of discrimination by expanding access to civil legal justice. We provide free holistic legal services, including representation, advice, and education to those persons who by reason of poverty are unable to effectively access the legal system. To further this mission, Tacomaprobono develops and manages a wide variety of service delivery programs, including ongoing cooperative work with other legal aid and social service providers. Working collaboratively with these organizations, Tacomaprobono identifies and addresses legal need and barriers to access; makes volunteer, educational and support opportunities available to volunteer attorneys, paralegals and students in Pierce County; and works to remove barriers which deny justice to underserved and marginalized individuals and communities by providing efficient, effective legal services addressing both individual client legal issues and systemic issues affecting our diverse client population.

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$29.12 per hour

Benefits:

Dental insurance Employee assistance program Health insurance Paid time off Parental leave Retirement plan Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person