Paralegal

Overview

Paralegal Jobs in Pittsburgh, PA at Women’s Center & Shelter

About the agency. Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh (WC&S) is a comprehensive domestic violence program serving individuals impacted by domestic violence and facilitating an intervention and education program to people who use abuse. We are advocates, grounded in fostering a community of safety, healing, and empowerment for anyone affected by domestic violence. Our mission is to strengthen our ability to meet the individual and evolving needs of those affected by domestic violence by investing in the growth of our people, deepening community engagement, and amplifying the voices of all survivors. All staff learn about and support the organization’s mission, vision, and values. In addition, the principles of the Sanctuary Model (a model for prioritizing victims’ needs and promoting safety and recovery from adversity) and continuous improvement infuse all aspects of the organization.

About the role. As a Paralegal, your primary role will be to provide general assistance to Staff Attorneys in the Civil Law Project (CLP) as they represent clients impacted by intimate partner violence. You will work on Protection From Abuse (PFA) cases by preparing files, interviewing clients, preparing intake summaries, gathering evidence, and identifying other legal needs. Additionally, you will assist in preparing for legal proceedings, assist with case management for Staff Attorneys, attend meetings with the Chief of Legal Services and CLP attorneys, manage related administrative tasks, and work to enhance systems within the program and agency. This role is located at the CLP office in Downtown Pittsburgh.

Please note that this position is not a traditional paralegal role and that the paralegal is often the first point of contact that a client has with WC&S. A fairly large component of the job is interacting with and interviewing victims of intimate partner violence on the phone, virtually, or in-person, in order to obtain the information, facts, and timeline necessary to prepare their case.

This role provides you with the opportunity to showcase your paralegal, organization, interpersonal communication, rapport building, interviewing, and problem-solving skills, and the ability to contribute to the organization’s mission in a variety of ways. The successful candidate will be highly organized and detail-oriented, have an empathic and trauma-informed approach, the ability to remain calm in stressful situations, and understand appropriate questions to ask when interacting with a client. If you are comfortable working in a fast-paced nonprofit law project, adept and resourceful at finding necessary information, and are passionate about working with populations experiencing intimate partner violence, we are eager to hear from you. WC&S will offer you an environment that provides endless opportunities to advance your knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Here’s what you will do:

• Conduct client intake interviews with clientele experiencing intimate partner violence
• Conduct docket/records searches, collect evidence and provide general support in Protection from Abuse (PFA) and other cases
• Organize and manage client case files, both digital and physical
• Assist CLP attorneys in court preparation and their client representation, including hearing and trial preparation, and client and witness interviews
• Draft clear narrative timeline to present complex events in chronological order
• Draft correspondence, pleadings, and other legal documents
• Document and enter required data daily, including timecards, client data, purchase requests, required documentation, and receipts, etc.
• Serve as a liaison for CLP with clients, attorneys, court staff, and others
• Participate in all CLP meetings and CLP attorney case review meetings as appropriate
• Represent WC&S to the public
• Maintain strict confidentiality of clients, residents, and location; follows safety protocols
• This position requires being available Monday through Friday business hours onsite at CLP offices in downtown Pittsburgh; after training and demonstrated success, the opportunity to work remotely up to two (2) days per week
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor

Here’s what we are looking for

• Paralegal certificate or degree and/or experience working with court systems, clients, forms, and procedures
• High level of organization and attention to detail required
• Ability to build rapport and elicit meaningful and relevant information in client interviews through a professional yet personable approach
• Ability to synthesize information into a meaningful and accurate narrative
• Ability to establish trust, respect, healthy boundaries, and rapport with a diverse population of survivors and legal professionals
• Effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• A demonstration of the understanding of abusive family dynamics, including intimate partner violence, cycle of abuse, power and control dynamic, culturally specific issues, and child abuse and neglect
• Ability to establish healthy boundaries, trust, respect, and rapport with others
• Ability to understand and adhere to strict confidentiality and safety procedures
• Strong command of general technology, including, but not limited to, Microsoft Office Suite is required; familiarity and understanding of information technology, including Salesforce and Teams strongly preferred
• Desire to work in an organization committed to accepting every individual’s history and perspectives
• Act 33/34 and FBI Clearances require

Physical demands. (Note: The physical demands listed below may be representative of those required on the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential duties and responsibilities.)

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and ascend/descend stairs (if elevator not an option)
• Ability to move, carry, and/or lift items/packages up to 25 lbs. at times, including transporting necessary equipment and materials (e.g., laptop, phone, documents, etc.)
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer, with breaks as needed
• Ability to use standard office equipment and technology (e.g., computer, keyboard, mouse, printer, etc.)
• Ability to access and physically navigate various departments and organizational facilities, as well as relevant offsite locations (if applicable)

About the benefits. WC&S offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, including generous paid time off; health, vision, and dental insurance; short-term and long term disability coverage; group life insurance; retirement plan with employer matching; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; Headspace meditation and mindfulness app subscription; Access Perks membership; paid training and professional development opportunities; and is a Public Service [Student] Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer.

WC&S is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to ensuring that both applicants and employees are treated without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity or gender expression, and sexual orientation), national origin, ancestry, place of birth, hairstyle, age, disability, using guide or support animals for a disability, genetic information (including family medical history), familial status, citizenship status, military service, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $20.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Associate (Preferred)

Experience:

• court systems/legal proceedings: 1 year (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Paralegal Certificate (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Title: Paralegal

Company: Women’s Center & Shelter

Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Category: