Legal Assistant/Paralegal, Pro Bono

Program Description

The Pro Bono Program at Children’s Law Center (CLC) consists of our in-house family law practice as well as our volunteer attorney program that places family law, housing conditions and special education cases with volunteers. CLC’s family law attorneys provide direct representation in DC family law matters, which includes representing the best interests of children in contested custody cases and representing third-party caregivers in custody, adoption and guardianship cases. Through our Pro Bono volunteer program, we work with more than 100 law firms and other Pro Bono partners on family, housing and education matters, extending our reach in the community to serve more DC families and increase access to justice.

Job Summary

The Legal Assistant/Paralegal provides critical support to the volunteer attorney program as well as the in-house family law practice.

The Legal Assistant/Paralegal serves as a point of contact for volunteer attorneys who are interested in learning more about CLC’s Pro Bono opportunities. These opportunities include family law cases as well as housing conditions and special education cases through CLC’s medical-legal partnership. The position supports multiple administrative functions, including managing databases, volunteer trainings, resources, external communications and case-related documents. The position serves as a liaison between CLC and external Pro Bono partners.

The Legal Assistant/Paralegal supports the in-house family law practice, which includes third-party caregiver matters and custody guardian ad litem cases. Most matters are heard in the Domestic Relations Branch of DC Superior Court, where 83-93% of family law litigants are unrepresented and cannot afford an attorney. In third-party caregiver matters, the Legal Assistant/Paralegal conducts intakes with third-party caregivers who contact CLC seeking to provide DC children with ongoing care and stable homes when their parents are unable to do so. The Legal Assistant/Paralegal works with the Pro Bono Director to process these intakes and provide caregivers with a variety of assistance, ranging from brief advice to representation, in custody, guardianship and adoption cases in DC Superior Court. In addition, there is an extremely high need for guardians ad litem to represent the best interests of children in high-conflict custody cases, and Domestic Relations Branch judges refer such cases to CLC. The Legal Assistant/Paralegal processes these court referrals and works with the Pro Bono Director to assign the case to an in-house or volunteer attorney.

This position reports to the Pro Bono Director and completes other projects and duties as assigned.

Role Responsibilities

Volunteer Program Support

• Assist with outreach and recruitment of volunteer attorneys.
• Write, edit and format weekly online newsletter and training advertisements for volunteer attorneys.
• Edit case intakes, draft case placement e-mails and process the placement of cases with volunteer attorneys.
• Maintain current volunteer data and manage case management and donor databases.
• Create work plans for volunteer trainings and updates to training manuals and resources.
• Prepare materials for volunteer trainings and help host volunteer events, including managing meeting technology, hosting virtual meetings and managing presentation materials.
• Prepare, organize, update and disseminate materials for volunteer attorneys and coordinate volunteer mentoring requests.
• Prepare reports for programmatic and development purposes.
• Create and maintain content for Pro Bono section of CLC’s website.

In-House Family Law Team Support

• Process and coordinate guardian ad litem court referrals, including internal processing of all referrals and placement of cases.
• Assist with intake procedure for third-party caregiver matters as assigned, including screening for eligible services, conducting client intakes, completing background and other records checks and compiling information for case acceptance decision and subsequent placement, rejection or referral of intakes/cases.
• Communicate with prospective clients by phone, email, and/or text message and provide them with information, referrals and/or non-legal brief assistance.
• Provide administrative support to CLC attorneys in their provision of legal services to intake clients.
• Assist with development or update of outreach and education materials as assigned to improve the efficacy and timeliness of legal service delivery to client community.
• Collect and manage resources and documents for staff attorneys and mentors.
• Provide as-needed investigative or research support for in-house attorneys, including obtaining records from court, mental health providers, and schools, completing background checks, editing drafts, visiting clients and executing service.

External Relations

• Act as a liaison between volunteer attorneys, law firms, and CLC and between DC Superior Court judges’ chambers and CLC.
• Build and maintain relationships with CLC volunteer attorneys and supporters.
• Represent CLC at external events, including trainings, volunteer fairs and development events.
• Interact with and develop a rapport with a wide variety of clients and professionals while managing expectations and providing discrete and appropriate information.

Advisory Board Support

• Manage board meeting logistics.
• Take minutes at board meetings.
• Coordinate the production of materials for board meetings.
• Prepare and maintain quarterly reports and additional reports as needed.
• Research prospective board members.

Policy and Protocol Adherence

• Adhere to program policies and protocols, including case notes, client contact and timekeeping.
• Ensure timely and accurate input of case information into case management system.

Supervision and Professional Development

• Attend and actively participate in regular supervision with supervisor.
• Work with supervisor to set annual goals to direct professional development.
• Exchange positive and constructive feedback with supervisor.
• Participate in quarterly and annual goals reviews.

Evaluation and Data Management Activities

• Ensure timely and accurate input of case and intake information into case management system.
• Ensure timely and accurate input of case and event information into donor database.
• Participate in volunteer case audit and data management as assigned.
• Process prospective volunteer, training and case closure surveys.

Learning and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Efforts

• Attend and participate in all Pro Bono Program team meetings, CLC staff meetings and other internal committees and working groups as requested by the Pro Bono Director.
• Participate in diversity, equity and inclusion efforts through learning, working groups, and other internal initiatives as assigned.

Qualifications

• A demonstrated commitment to social, economic and racial justice.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with others.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Excellent professional judgment and ability to maintain confidential information.
• Paralegal certificate or degree from an ABA-approved program preferred.
• Experience interviewing others preferred.
• Experience with children and families with limited financial resources through work or lived experience preferred.
• Knowledge of recordkeeping systems preferred and experience with LegalServer a plus.
• Bilingual English/Spanish communication skills a plus.

Required Skills and Experience

• 0-3 years’ experience as a paralegal or in related roles providing administrative support in a legal setting.
• Excellent attention to detail, organizational, time management and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to handle competing priorities and deadlines strategically in a fast-paced and changing environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in a variety of settings.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office suite of applications, specifically Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Excel, with the ability to learn new software applications.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion and humility when working with clients and colleagues at the intersection of multiple identities, including race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, immigration status, religion, physical and mental disability and/or limited English proficiency.

Organizational Competencies

• Cultural Humility – an openness to self-reflection and to understanding and respecting other cultural experiences and points of view and viewing individuals as experts in their own culture and experiences.
• Giving and Receiving Feedback – the ability to be self-reflective, give and receive appreciative, coaching, constructive, interpersonal and evaluative feedback.
• Conflict Management – a process which is designed to guide individuals and groups from the moment of conflict to the implementation of an identified solution. This process incorporates skills and techniques, including recognizing points of conflict, identifying the facts and feelings involved to get to the root of the issue, investigating equitable solutions, implementing and evaluating solutions, and supporting and guiding others throughout the process.

Salary and Benefits

The salary for this position ranges from $50,000 - $57,000 annually for applicants based on relevant experience. Children’s Law Center offers a generous benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and short- and long-term disability insurance; employer-provided retirement contributions; flexible spending plans; and vacation, sick, holiday, family and medical leave. Children’s Law Center is a 501(c)(3) organization. Employees with federal student loan debt can apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. For more information, go to https://myfedloan.org/borrowers/special-programs/pslf.

Application Instructions

To apply, please submit a resume as a PDF file via CLC's careers page (https://childrenslawcenter.org/get-involved/careers/).

Children’s Law Center is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. If you believe that you need accommodation to search for, or apply for, one of our positions please send an email to Jobs@ChildrensLawCenter.org. In your email, please include the accommodation you are requesting and the job title you are applying for. It may take up to three business days to receive a response to your request.

Hybrid Working Conditions

Children’s Law Center is currently operating on a hybrid work schedule. Employees are required to work in-person from Children’s Law Center’s office a minimum of two days per week. At least one of these days must be either Tuesday or Wednesday. The hybrid work schedule is subject to change based on organizational needs and/or best practices for health and safety. Hybrid work expectations may vary depending upon role responsibilities.

Background Checks

Candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment will be subject to a background check.

EEO

Children’s Law Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunities for all applicants and existing employees. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to ancestry, age, color, disability, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, military or veteran status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. We invite you to visit our website to learn more about our company and our career opportunities (https://childrenslawcenter.org/get-involved/careers/).

DEI Statement

Children’s Law Center is dedicated to building a world that is inclusive in approach and has equal opportunities and equitable outcomes for all. Our organization is committed to developing and supporting a robustly diverse, equitable, inclusive and anti-racist community, where all members can create and feel a sense of belonging. Through our collective deliberate efforts, we work toward racial and social justice for children and families in DC.