Temporary Paralegal, Standby Guardianship

New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) • New York, NY, US • $52.57k - $60.88k / year • 4w ago

About NYLAG:

Founded in 1990, NYLAG is a leading civil legal services organization combating economic, racial, and social injustice by advocating for people experiencing poverty or in crisis. Our services include comprehensive, free civil legal services, financial empowerment, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community partnerships. NYLAG exists because wealth should not determine who has access to justice. We aim to disrupt systemic racism by serving individuals and families whose legal and financial crises are often rooted in racial inequality. NYLAG goes to where the need is, providing services in more than 150 community sites (e.g. courts, hospitals, libraries) and on our Mobile Legal Help Center. During COVID-19, most of our services are virtual to keep our community safe. NYLAG’s staff of 350 impacted the lives of nearly 113,000 people last year.

Job description

LegalHealth, a division of the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG), has an immediate opening for a temporary paralegal to join one of the longest standing and the largest Medical-Legal Partnership (MLP) in the country. This position is through June 30, 2025 and contingent upon grant approval.

LegalHealth partners with a diverse array of medical professionals in 38 hospitals throughout New York to address the health harming legal needs of low-income people with serious health problems. LegalHealth complements health care with legal care – providing free legal services in medical facilities and training healthcare professionals to understand both the legal issues their patients may encounter and the relationship between health and legal advocacy. Using a holistic approach to address Social Determinants of Health, LegalHealth attorneys practice as generalists, representing clients on a myriad of legal matters that are often connected to a diagnosis or chronic health condition. LegalHealth plays a leadership role in the expanding MLP movement, helping others to start or sustain their own MLPs. This position reports to their supervising attorney.

In 2018, LegalHealth helped to expand the Standby Guardianship Law to include immigrant parents who are worried that they may be separated from their child(ren) due to arrest, detention, or deportation. The Standby Guardianship Law helps parents plan for the future care and custody of their children should a triggering event occur. With the expansion on this law, LegalHealth also developed a helpline for immigrant parents interested in appointing a standby guardian and/or getting more information. We are seeking to add a temporary paralegal to this project.

Duties and Responsibilities

Responsible for maintaining a city-wide standby guardianship helpline.
Perform direct client intakes via partner referrals and helpline.
Assist clients and the project attorney with legal documents.
Take part in community outreach to publicize the helpline and our standby guardianship work.

Qualifications

2 or 4 year college degree or 2 years of relevant work experience.
Ability to work independently, with a team, and directly with clients.
Ability to handle a high case volume and to interact with a diverse client population in a sensitive and professional manner.
Excellent analytical skills in order to determine whether potential clients have relevant legal issues that the attorney can assist with.
Bilingual in spoken and written Spanish preferred.

NYLAG’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

NYLAG is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, veterans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people, and those with lived experiences in the communities we serve are strongly encouraged to apply.

Employment type:

☒ Temporary

Professional Level:

☒ Entry Level

Salary Range: NYLAG is a unionized workplace, and salaries are set pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. The current salary range for this position is between $52,571 - $60,876

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401k, life insurance, long term disability, commuter benefits, flexible spending accounts (FSA) for Medical and Dependent care.

Application Instructions: Please save resume and cover letter on one pdf.

Covid Vaccination Policy: Please note, to safeguard the health and well-being of our employees and clients, NYLAG requires all employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, unless a medical or religious exemption is approved.

NYLAG is committed to a hybrid work policy for staff whose work does not require their full-time presence in the office. NYLAG’s current policy is that most staff are required to work in NYLAG’s offices or do other in-person work at least two days each week. This policy is subject to change.

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