Legal Assistant- Mother Teresa Center

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday/ 8:30am-5pm; occasional evenings and weekends

Summary: The Legal Assistant supports the Attorney(s) by providing direct case management assistance to eligible clients seeking legal services. Day-to-day operations include: screening of clients to determine eligibility for services, maintaining regular communication with clients and the court, drafting and e-filing legal documents, completing monthly reports and administrative duties as requested by the director and senior director, and supporting the Senior Director and Staff Attorneys as needed.

Position Responsibilities:

• *Provides information to clients or potential clients that need assistance with legal services in guardianship, wills, and immigration law.
• *As needed, meet with clients for application signings, court hearings, and all other case matters as directed by the Program Director and/or staff attorneys.
• *Maintain working relationships with immigration courts and any other partners or agencies. 
• *Regularly communicate with clients, courts, staff, and other partners through phone, face-to-face interaction, e-mail, fax, FaceTime, Zoom, and other forms of communication. 
• *Draft legal documents, and if needed, any other documents requested by the director(s) and/or staff attorneys;
• *Prepare monthly requests/reports for granting partners.
• Attend court hearings with staff attorney(s) if needed.
• Answer client calls, e-mails, and meet with walk-ins/appointments as needed. 
• If needed, answer phone calls and relay messages for other programs within the department. 
• If needed, attend outreach events to promote the program’s services and programs. 
• Electronically file appropriate legal documents with courts as needed. 
• Maintain program data regarding clients, their cases, and any other data required by the program as needed.
• Pick up checks, mail, and other items from the main office if needed.
• Prepare postage for mail if needed.
• Assist attorney(s) by notarizing legal documents.
• Must complete all required professional development assigned in a timely manner
• Must be sensitive to the service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
• Adhering to safety training and protocols on a daily basis, and taking precautionary measure to ensure the safety and well-being of self, and others. 
• Responsible for protecting the confidentiality of any information or material obtained in the service with the organization to include but not limited to client names and information, services rendered to clients, donors names and gifts, internal and external investigations or results of any investigations, and financial information.
• Adherence to the Code of Conduct and the Faith and Moral Policy is mandatory.
• Every employee is required to take a solution-oriented approach in their interactions and undertakings, as well as being a team member that promotes collaboration and commitment to the Mission and Vision of the organization.
• Other duties as assigned by the Program Director and/or Senior Director.

Competencies: 

Integrity / Honesty

Resilience

Thorough

Results Oriented

Teamwork

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Education
  • Bachelor’s or associate’s degree in pre-law or DOJ Accredited Representative credentials preferred.
• Experience
  • Minimum of 1-2 years’ experience in the legal profession preferred. 
• License and Credentials
  • Reliable transportation
  • Must be at least 21 years old
  • Have a valid driver’s license and clean driving record
  • Have valid vehicle liability insurance 
  • Bilingual in Spanish and English preferred

Minimum Knowledge and Skills: 

• Minimum of 1-2 years’ experience in a legal office preferred. 
• Experience with computer software (i.e., experience with Microsoft Office and e-filing software preferred); 
• Must be detail oriented, organized, self-motivated, work well independently and on a team;
• A solid grasp of understanding basic law and completing forms;
• Must have good written and verbal skills;

Travel Requirements:

Travel requirements for the position includes 40% local and 1% overnight (occasional travel for outreach events).