LOCATION: Shreveport

PAY: From $28,139.00 per year

JOB DESCRIPTION

Acadiana Legal Service Corporation (ALSC) seeks a full-time paralegal to assist staff attorneys who represent low-income clients with civil legal matters, including domestic violence, divorce, custody, child and spousal support, and intra-family adoptions.

NATURE OF WORK

Assist attorneys with the provision of quality legal services to clients of Acadiana Legal Service Corporation. Generally, work is completed as assigned; however, the position requires initiative and resourcefulness in following lines of research, adhering to corporate policies and procedures, and listening attentively to clients’ complaints.

General supervision is provided by a Senior Paralegal and/or Paralegal Coordinator.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties may include and are not limited to (tasks will vary based on substantive unit):

• Conduct legal research, preparation of legal summaries and memoranda and assistance in preparing correspondence on legal matters
• Prepares cases for attorneys to present in court, including the drafting of pleadings
• Prepares letters, memoranda, drafts, legal documents, in forma pauperis affidavits, and other correspondence as assigned
• Review and proofread documents and correspondence to ensure accuracy
• Conducts initial interview of applicants for screening, eligibility, referrals, and applications for legal assistance
• Greets and screens callers and visitors, making referrals to appropriate personnel or personally resolving the matter
• Refer clients and advocates to appropriate available community resources
• Communicate with clients, coworkers, community partners, opposing counsel, judges, and court staff effectively
• Provide administrative support including copying, scanning, faxing, and mailing documents
• Assists attorneys with case opening, closing, scanning, filing, surveys, and reports
• Create, organize, and maintain data bank files and templates in accordance with recognized procedures and standards
• Assists other support staff as needed and all other duties as assigned
• Assists in maintaining public benefits resource materials
• Assists in Private Bar Involvement activities
• Assists attorneys in researching laws and court decisions for determining the most appropriate legal action
• Assists in the design and presentation of in-house training sessions for other employees
• Represents Acadiana Legal Service Corporation in various community events, focusing on issues relevant to the poor
• Transmits legal documents to the courthouse and maintains telephone contact as required

NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS

• Some knowledge of procedures and techniques used in legal research, including the various related sources of legal information
• Adequate working knowledge of legal terminology and legal formats
• Adequate skill in typing, filing and general office operation practices
• Ability to maintain complex records and to prepare reports from such records
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, attorneys, staff, and the general public
• Ability to understand and follow complex oral and written instructions
• Ability to compose and prepare routine and technical legal correspondence

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduate of an accredited four-year college or university
• Non-college graduate acceptable upon completion of a two-year paralegal training program or one-year relevant experience with a law firm or other legal services program

SALARY AND BENEFITS