Paralegal, Self-Help Conservatorship Clinic - Bet Tzedek Legal Services

For 50 years, Bet Tzedek Legal Services has provided high-quality, free legal services to Los Angeles’ most vulnerable residents. Bet Tzedek, the House of Justice offers free self-help services to pro per litigants filing Conservatorship Petitions through its Self-Help Conservatorship Clinic. A stunning achievement in the effort to provide access to justice to those in need, the Clinic assists thousands of litigants to successfully maneuver this complex court process each year by helping prepare, file, and complete service of process on nearly 70% of all conservatorship matters filed in Los Angeles County. Bet Tzedek is seeking an ambitious, highly organized, and creative individual to serve as one of two paralegals coordinating the Self-Help Conservatorship Clinic.

This position is eligible for Bet Tzedek Legal Services’ hybrid/remote workplace designation. At the discretion of the immediate supervisor, the employee may be required to work in the office or other locations to meet workload/business obligations. This requirement may be on a temporary or ongoing basis.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Coordinate, conduct, and supervise clinics in a virtual/remote setting in Los Angeles County at which self-represented litigants are assisted with preparing limited and general conservatorship petitions;
• Manage and develop phone systems through the organizations portal during the screening process for those seeking services;
• Provide support in various virtual clinic workshops;
• Work with the Clinic team to ensure the high volume of clinic petitions are properly prepared and timely filed;
• Work with the Pro Bono Department to help recruit, train, and manage a high volume of volunteers to assist with various Clinic tasks;
• Assist in the preparation of educational materials as needed; and
• Work collaboratively with Clinic partners, including the Superior Court, probate attorneys, investigators, judges, and organizations hosting Clinic sites.

$60,538.10-$62,644.42 (DOE/DOQ)

Requirements:

• A paralegal certificate/degree in paralegal studies from an ABA-approved institution or bachelor's degree and at least 1 year of law-related experience under the supervision of an attorney who has been an active member of the California bar for the preceding 3 years (required);
• Bilingual and biliterate in both English and Spanish (required);
• At least 2 years of law firm experience supporting multiple attorneys (preferred);
• Thorough knowledge of legal terminology, court rules, and procedures (preferred);
• Proficiency with the Internet and Web based applications (required);
• MS Office and legal database (Lexis/Nexis) proficiency (required);
• Experience in state court systems, including Los Angeles County Superior court e-filing systems (preferred)
• Experience managing and coordinating volunteers (preferred);
• Demonstrated competency in public speaking and strong interpersonal skills (required);
• Demonstrated strong organizational skills and ability to work in a high-volume environment (preferred);
• Demonstrated interest in the care and/or welfare of dependent adults (preferred);
• Demonstrated commitment to Bet Tzedek’s mission to provide free legal services to those who need them most (required); and
• Demonstrated commitment to applying principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in performance of job duties (required).

BENEFITS PACKAGE:

Bet Tzedek offers an excellent benefits package in addition to competitive salaries. These benefits currently include:

• A generous number of paid holidays (up to 21 per year), vacation (up to 20, depending on number of years with agency), and sick days (up to 45) annually.
• Personal and floating holidays
• Compensatory time for exempt employees.
• 18 weeks of paid parental leave (after 1 year of employment.)
• Various paid leaves
• Medical, dental, vision, chiropractic and acupuncture coverage for employees and dependents, with office visit co-pay reimbursement for HMO enrollees.
• Life/accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, long-term disability insurance, and Employee Assistance Plan.
• Voluntary (employee-contributed) life/AD&D, accident, critical illness, hospital confinement, and pet insurance.
• Employee-contributed 401(k) plan.
• Employee-contributed 403(b) plan.
• Healthcare and childcare flexible spending accounts.
• Commuter transit and/or parking benefits.

HOW TO APPLY:

• Email letter of interest, resume, and writing sample to bettzedek.21.847@applynow.io, subject: “Paralegal, Self-Help Conservatorship Clinic.”

Note: All positions are subject to funding; ongoing funding or employment cannot be assured.

Bet Tzedek is a unionized environment. Our salary range for unionized positions reflects our agreed upon step placement system, and the final offer extended to candidates is based on an internal equity review and candidates’ relevant experience, skills, background, and bar date, if applicable.



To best serve our communities, Bet Tzedek seeks diverse staff with cultural competency reflecting our client populations. We strongly encourage candidates from traditionally underrepresented communities and historically oppressed groups to apply.