Legal Assistant

5-5 yrs required

Full-time

No

VOLS encourages all qualified
candidates to apply.

Volunteers of Legal Service (VOLS) is seeking a full-time Legal Assistant to support the work of our legal projects. This position is part of the union ALAA UAW Local 2325 and reports directly to the Director of the Microenterprise Project. The annual salary range for this position is $45,900 to $52,020 and will be determined by our collective bargaining agreement and commensurate with experience. VOLS offers an excellent benefits package, including health, life, and disability insurance, a retirement plan, and the option to contribute to a 403(b) plan. We provide 25 days of paid vacation, 12 days of paid sick leave, and 3 personal days annually. The position will be hybrid after the first six months, with the option to work remotely up to eight days per month. Local travel may be required for meetings, clinics, and other events.

Organizational Mission:
- VOLS has partnered with New York City’s leading law firms and companies for nearly 40 years to close the access to justice gap for low-income New Yorkers.
- Provides free, civil legal services to New Yorkers with limited resources, including older adults, veterans, individuals entitled to public benefits, immigrant youth, children and their families, mothers in prison or jail, and small business owners.
- In 2022, VOLS assisted clients on more than 4,000 legal matters and our services benefited nearly 6,200 individual New Yorkers.
- Staff of 21, including 15 attorneys and law graduates, works with volunteer lawyers from over 80 law firms/companies to exponentially increase impact.
- Partners with 150+ community groups to ensure accessibility and address local needs.
- Strives to build and retain a diverse and inclusive team, actively seeking candidates with lived experience in the communities served.

Responsibilities:
- Conduct screenings of applicants for service, including obtaining necessary demographic data, determination of eligibility, and scope of client's request for assistance.
- Coordinate follow-up services, including scheduling appointments, corresponding with clients, and gathering documents and other information.
- Provide applicants and clients with information, referrals, and/or advice under the supervision of an attorney.
- Enter and maintain confidential client information and records in VOLS' electronic case management system.
- Create and maintain volunteer attorney profiles in electronic filing system.
- Open and close files for clients and ensure compliance with program protocols.
- Provide pro bono support by following up on matters placed with volunteers, providing client information to volunteers, and assisting with coordinating pro bono clinics.
- Attend community group meetings and coordinate logistical needs of community outreaches, workshops, and presentations.
- Participate in committees and collaborative efforts to benefit the organization.
- Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor, Legal Director, or Operations Director.

Qualifications:
- Experience working in a legal setting preferred.
- Bachelor's degree, a plus.
- Excellent organizational skills and comfortable working on multi-faceted projects.
- High level of adaptability and reliability in a legal environment.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
- Ability to handle confidential materials and information.
- Excellent time management skills and attention to detail.
- Flexibility to work outside of regular office hours when necessary.
- Demonstrated commitment to social justice and providing high-quality, free legal services to low-income New Yorkers.
- Familiarity with or interest in learning about the legal needs of small businesses and nonprofit organizations, a plus.
- Experienced with Office 365, data management and tracking systems, and Zoom (or similar platforms), including hosting webinars and utilizing breakout rooms for event facilitation, a plus.
- Professional fluency in one of the top five languages spoken in NYC, a plus.
- Familiarity with LegalServer, a plus.

How to Apply:
- Email cover letter and resume to with subject "Legal Assistant."
- Request for writing sample and 3 references to follow.
- Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
- No phone or email inquiries, please.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commitment:
- VOLS strives to build and maintain a diverse workplace that embraces staff with different backgrounds, identities, and experiences.
- Welcomes and encourages applicants from marginalized communities, including, but not limited to, those who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, disabled, immigrants, uniformed service, people from low socio-economic backgrounds, and those directly impacted by the legal system.
- Equal opportunity employer, does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion/creed, age, disability, sexual orientation, biological sex, gender identity/expression, family status, military service, or any other status protected under the law.
- Encourages all qualified candidates to apply.

Not specified

Health, life, and disability insurance, Retirement plan, Paid vacation and sick leave

Bilingual proficiency preferred

Client engagement, Intake, Administrative support, Pro bono support, Community engagement, Committee participation, Time management, Confidentiality, Social justice, Volunteerism, Data management, Zoom, Office 365, LegalServer, Bilingual proficiency

Bachelor's degree (preferred)

Email cover letter and resume to with subject "Legal Assistant"

Qualification and Experience Bachelor's degree (preferred), Experience in a legal setting, Adaptability, Reliability, Independent and collaborative work abilities, Discretion, Time management, Commitment to social justice, Familiarity with small business and nonprofit legal needs, Familiarity with Office 365 and Zoom, Bilingual proficiency (preferred)

Legal