Legal Assistant- Federal Pro Se Clinic -Consumer Rights & Economic Justice Project

Full-time

No

Legal Assistant - Public Counsel's Federal Pro Se Clinic - Consumer Rights & Economic Justice Project

Do you have a passion for advancing civil rights and economic justice? Are you looking for an entry-level position with a nonprofit public interest law firm? Public Counsel is seeking a Legal Assistant to join our team and help us amplify the power of our clients through comprehensive legal advocacy.

About Public Counsel

Public Counsel is a nonprofit public interest law firm dedicated to promoting civil rights and racial and economic justice. We use a pro bono legal service model to seek justice through direct legal services, community outreach, and policy advocacy. Our eight legal projects include Children's Rights, Community Development, Consumer Rights & Economic Justice, and more.

About the Federal Pro Se Clinic

Located at the Roybal Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles, Public Counsel's Federal Pro Se Clinic provides high-quality legal assistance to pro se litigants in the federal district court. We also connect these litigants with volunteer attorneys from major law firms. As part of the Consumer Rights & Economic Justice project, the Clinic also takes on meritorious cases for full representation or placement with pro bono counsel.

Job Summary

This is an entry-level position that will commence on or after July 15, 2024. Reporting to the Supervising Staff Attorney, the Legal Assistant will:

- Conduct preliminary intake interviews and gather relevant documents and information under the supervision of an attorney
- Coordinate client appointments and volunteer attorney schedules at the Federal Pro Se Clinic
- Provide support to Staff Attorney and Supervising Staff Attorney
- Maintain client case files, complete data entry, and monitor outcome tracking for the Clinic
- Assist with the development of informational materials
- Perform various clerical duties such as record-keeping, document copying, e-filing, etc.
- Work closely with pro se litigants, staff, and volunteer attorneys on public benefits, civil rights, and other cases
- Complete other duties as assigned

Requirements

-
- Comfortable working in a clinical setting and under pressure
- Ability to empathize and work with clients, attorneys, and court officials of diverse backgrounds
- Work well as part of a team, but also be able to work independently
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Detail-oriented and superior organizational skills
- Comfortable preparing and analyzing basic statistics
- Familiarity working with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Ability to commute downtown and to the mid-Wilshire area
- Strong oral and written communication skills (Spanish-language fluency strongly preferred)

Job Type and Benefits

- Full-time, Non-Exempt position
- Position funded with a time-limited grant, with potential for yearly renewal
- Salary range of $53,000-$55,932 DOE
- Competitive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage, flexible spending account, retirement plan, life insurance, and disability plans
- Generous paid time off and on-site parking or public transportation reimbursement available

How to Apply

We value lived experiences and experiences working with clients across a range of settings. Please consider discussing such experiences in your cover letter, especially if they are not reflected in your resume. To apply, please follow the instructions on our website.

Public Counsel Vaccination Policy and COVID-19 Protocols

Public Counsel requires vaccination against COVID-19 for all employees, including new hires. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified employees with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs. Our office is generally office-based, but remote work has been permitted during the pandemic. All employees are required to work in the office at least one day per week, at the discretion of the department head. This policy is subject to redesign by leadership and will follow public health and local and state emergency orders.

Public Counsel EEO Policy

Public Counsel is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate against employees or prospective employees on the basis of union membership or activity, race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy, marital and family status, national origin, age, medical conditions, or disability. All qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered in accordance with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring. Our leadership team is dedicated to this policy in all aspects of employment.

Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage, Flexible Spending Account, Retirement Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Plans, Paid Time Off, On-site Parking/Public Transportation Reimbursement

Spanish fluency preferred

Legal Intake, Document Management, Appointment Coordination, Data Entry, Record-keeping, Communication, Spanish-language fluency, Statistical Analysis, Microsoft Office

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume. Lived experiences and experiences working with clients will be valued and should be discussed in the cover letter.

Qualification and Experience Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university

Legal