VOCA Paralegal – Norristown (Montgomery County), PA

Job announcement (Oct. 18, 2024)

SUMMARY

Legal Aid of Southeastern PA (“LASP”) seeks a paralegal to assist in providing civil legal services to victims of domestic violence for its Norristown Office in Montgomery County, PA. The position is funded through a Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). LASP serves low-income individuals and families in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties. This is a full-time position. Staff currently work on a hybrid basis. The successful candidate will be expected to perform in-office work as well as be able to work remotely.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, working under the supervision and guidance of program attorneys, include the following:

  1. Interviewing prospective clients by phone or in person, investigating facts, and conducting legal research to assist with determination of the level of service to be provided to the client;

  2. Providing advice and counsel to clients and conducting brief services to address client needs and obtain information;

  3. Preparing legal documents which may include pleadings and petitions, affidavits, declarations, motions, memoranda, briefs, etc. and filing documents in court;

  4. Creating and maintaining case files in LASP’s computer case management system as well as entering notes and timekeeping into the system;

  5. Assisting program attorneys in the preparation of witnesses, evidence, and exhibits for hearings and trials;

  6. Engaging with external professional and community organizations relevant to casework and collaborating with domestic violence and victims’ services programs and their activities to strengthen services to county domestic abuse victims;

  7. Conducting outreach, clinics, community education, and workshops;

  8. Maintaining awareness of all sources of community help for victims of domestic violence;

  9. Participating in LASP team efforts to achieve office and program goals, including in program-wide affinity groups and task forces;

  10. Ensuring that requirements of grants and contracts which may provide funding for the position are followed; assist with contract and grant reports;

  11. Developing skills and substantive knowledge through training, CLE, and other educational opportunities;

  12. Abiding by all applicable professional standards of ethics and practice; and

  13. Performing other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

SUPERVISOR

VOCA Supervising Attorney. The VOCA paralegal shall work closely with VOCA staff attorneys located in Norristown.

QUALIFICATIONS

Associate degree or minimum of one-year certificate from college or technical school, three to six months related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Demonstrated proficiency in computer technology, including Microsoft products (particularly Word, Outlook, and Excel), record and timekeeping software, and routine database activity. Spanish language fluency is desirable. Experience working with crime victims/domestic abuse victims and an understanding of trauma-based service desired. The successful candidate must pass a criminal record check and child abuse clearance.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Base salary for a paralegal starts at $40,000 but salary is commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits, including a 401K retirement plan with generous employer contributions, health insurance option in which 100% of premium costs are provided, ancillary benefits, and generous leave provisions including paid holidays, floating holidays, personal leave, vacation, sick, and parental leave.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

LASP is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate in the recruitment, selection, or advancement of employees on the basis of race, color, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information or on any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. LASP makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.

TO APPLY

Send resume and cover letter including the job title (Norristown VOCA Paralegal) to Elise Wilson-Coles, Human Resources Manager, at Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania to Hiring@lasp.org. Position will remain open until filled.

(LFUG08072024)

 

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