Out Professionals
Paralegal Client Advocate, Worker Justice Project The Legal Aid Society Justice
Out Professionals, New York, New York, us, 10261
Paralegal Client Advocate, Worker Justice Project
#24-254New York, New York
Deadline is 3:00 PM EST for Date Listed2024-12-17
Job Description
The Legal Aid Society’s Criminal Defense Practice is seeking a Paralegal Client Advocate for the Worker Justice Project (WJP). The Paralegal Client Advocate will assist WJP by representing clients in administrative proceedings related to occupational licensure and clearance, such as Department of State security guard licensure hearings and Department of Health home health aide/certified nurse aide clearance proceedings; preparing individual applications for Certificates of Relief from Disabilities and Certificates of Good Conduct; administratively overseeing pro bono law firm programs to assist individuals in applying for Certificates of Relief from Disabilities and Certificates of Good Conduct; identifying and correcting errors on clients’ criminal history records; and drafting personal statements and compiling accomplishment packets that clients can provide to prospective or current employers and government agencies to explain their criminal record and their accomplishments. The Paralegal Client Advocate will also maintain records, enter information into LawManager, and directly assist clients in matters and legal issues related to criminal record discrimination.
The Worker Justice Project combats discrimination faced by workers with arrest or conviction records living in New York City. Everyday employers and licensing agencies unfairly deny qualified individuals the opportunity to work because of pending charges, past convictions, and even sealed or dismissed cases. This discrimination prevents countless New Yorkers from maintaining financial stability and supporting their families—and further disenfranchises people of color already subjected to discriminatory employment practices and the racist administration of criminal justice.
The Worker Justice Project fights this discrimination through a bold and comprehensive approach. The Project advises Criminal Defense Practice staff on the employment consequences of criminal case dispositions in order to minimize harm to clients’ job opportunities and empowers workers with records to defend their rights. The Project also enforces the rights of workers who are unlawfully denied jobs or licenses because of arrest or conviction records by representing workers in administrative proceedings, pre-litigation advocacy, and affirmative litigation. Finally, the Project challenges government policies that create barriers to employment and advocates for legislative solutions to effect systemic change.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
Interview clients, provide advice and direct assistance
Represent clients in administrative proceedings related to occupational licensure and clearance
Prepare individual applications for Certificates of Relief from Disabilities and Certificates of Good Conduct
Organize and administratively oversee pro bono law firm programs
Organize and oversee community outreach/know your rights events
Identify and correct errors on clients’ criminal history records
Draft personal statements and compile accomplishment packets
Interview and assess client requests for services
Obtain, copy, and scan court files and clients’ criminal history records
Update information in Law Manager
Assist attorneys with relevant documents
Other duties as assigned
TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree or paralegal certificate from an ABA-accredited paralegal program is preferred; will also consider 4+ years of applicable legal work experience or an equivalent combination of education/applicable legal work experience.
Excellent writing, oral advocacy, and computer skills
Excellent organizational skills with ability to multi-task and manage a large workload
Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team
Ability to work efficiently and under time constraints to meet deadlines
Ability to solve problems creatively
Ability to coordinate and collaborate successfully with other groups and organizations
Experience in and/or commitment to advocacy on behalf of low-income people is strongly desired
Knowledge of New York criminal law and criminal procedure is strongly desired
Knowledge of collateral consequences of criminal legal system involvement is strongly desired
Proficiency in a language other than English is desirable
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Please submit these documents as a single combined PDF when you apply via the LAS (Legal Aid Society) Recruitment Portal.
Resume
Cover Letter
SALARY TRANSPARENCY
The posting reflects the range of potential salaries for the role. The specific salary offers will be dependent on candidate qualifications.
Salary Range/ Salary:
$60,033- $91,932
SALARY AND BENEFITS
The leadership of The Legal Aid Society believes in attracting and retaining exceptional talent committed to serving our clients. We offer a generous benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation, disability, and life insurance, and more.
HIGHER EDUCATION AND LOAN FORGIVENESS
The Legal Aid Society is a qualified employer for the purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
The leadership of The Legal Aid Society is committed to a work culture of zealous advocacy, respect, diversity and inclusion, client-oriented defense, access to justice and excellent representation.
WORK AUTHORIZATION
All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship for a work visa or permit.
HOW TO APPLY
All applications must be completed online. We do not accept paper submissions. Please visit our Careers Page to review all current job postings, and instructions on the application process.
As an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer, The Legal Aid Society prohibits discriminatory employment actions against and treatment of its employees and applicants for employment based on any characteristic protected by law.
LocationManhattan – Criminal Defense Practice Office
#J-18808-Ljbffr
#24-254New York, New York
Deadline is 3:00 PM EST for Date Listed2024-12-17
Job Description
The Legal Aid Society’s Criminal Defense Practice is seeking a Paralegal Client Advocate for the Worker Justice Project (WJP). The Paralegal Client Advocate will assist WJP by representing clients in administrative proceedings related to occupational licensure and clearance, such as Department of State security guard licensure hearings and Department of Health home health aide/certified nurse aide clearance proceedings; preparing individual applications for Certificates of Relief from Disabilities and Certificates of Good Conduct; administratively overseeing pro bono law firm programs to assist individuals in applying for Certificates of Relief from Disabilities and Certificates of Good Conduct; identifying and correcting errors on clients’ criminal history records; and drafting personal statements and compiling accomplishment packets that clients can provide to prospective or current employers and government agencies to explain their criminal record and their accomplishments. The Paralegal Client Advocate will also maintain records, enter information into LawManager, and directly assist clients in matters and legal issues related to criminal record discrimination.
The Worker Justice Project combats discrimination faced by workers with arrest or conviction records living in New York City. Everyday employers and licensing agencies unfairly deny qualified individuals the opportunity to work because of pending charges, past convictions, and even sealed or dismissed cases. This discrimination prevents countless New Yorkers from maintaining financial stability and supporting their families—and further disenfranchises people of color already subjected to discriminatory employment practices and the racist administration of criminal justice.
The Worker Justice Project fights this discrimination through a bold and comprehensive approach. The Project advises Criminal Defense Practice staff on the employment consequences of criminal case dispositions in order to minimize harm to clients’ job opportunities and empowers workers with records to defend their rights. The Project also enforces the rights of workers who are unlawfully denied jobs or licenses because of arrest or conviction records by representing workers in administrative proceedings, pre-litigation advocacy, and affirmative litigation. Finally, the Project challenges government policies that create barriers to employment and advocates for legislative solutions to effect systemic change.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
Interview clients, provide advice and direct assistance
Represent clients in administrative proceedings related to occupational licensure and clearance
Prepare individual applications for Certificates of Relief from Disabilities and Certificates of Good Conduct
Organize and administratively oversee pro bono law firm programs
Organize and oversee community outreach/know your rights events
Identify and correct errors on clients’ criminal history records
Draft personal statements and compile accomplishment packets
Interview and assess client requests for services
Obtain, copy, and scan court files and clients’ criminal history records
Update information in Law Manager
Assist attorneys with relevant documents
Other duties as assigned
TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree or paralegal certificate from an ABA-accredited paralegal program is preferred; will also consider 4+ years of applicable legal work experience or an equivalent combination of education/applicable legal work experience.
Excellent writing, oral advocacy, and computer skills
Excellent organizational skills with ability to multi-task and manage a large workload
Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team
Ability to work efficiently and under time constraints to meet deadlines
Ability to solve problems creatively
Ability to coordinate and collaborate successfully with other groups and organizations
Experience in and/or commitment to advocacy on behalf of low-income people is strongly desired
Knowledge of New York criminal law and criminal procedure is strongly desired
Knowledge of collateral consequences of criminal legal system involvement is strongly desired
Proficiency in a language other than English is desirable
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Please submit these documents as a single combined PDF when you apply via the LAS (Legal Aid Society) Recruitment Portal.
Resume
Cover Letter
SALARY TRANSPARENCY
The posting reflects the range of potential salaries for the role. The specific salary offers will be dependent on candidate qualifications.
Salary Range/ Salary:
$60,033- $91,932
SALARY AND BENEFITS
The leadership of The Legal Aid Society believes in attracting and retaining exceptional talent committed to serving our clients. We offer a generous benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation, disability, and life insurance, and more.
HIGHER EDUCATION AND LOAN FORGIVENESS
The Legal Aid Society is a qualified employer for the purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
The leadership of The Legal Aid Society is committed to a work culture of zealous advocacy, respect, diversity and inclusion, client-oriented defense, access to justice and excellent representation.
WORK AUTHORIZATION
All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship for a work visa or permit.
HOW TO APPLY
All applications must be completed online. We do not accept paper submissions. Please visit our Careers Page to review all current job postings, and instructions on the application process.
As an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer, The Legal Aid Society prohibits discriminatory employment actions against and treatment of its employees and applicants for employment based on any characteristic protected by law.
LocationManhattan – Criminal Defense Practice Office
#J-18808-Ljbffr