Employment Unit Paralegal

Community Legal Services, Inc. of Philadelphia is a non-profit public interest agency providing free civil legal services to low-income Philadelphia residents.  As the largest provider of free civil legal services in the Philadelphia area, CLS is both locally and nationally renowned as a premier legal services provider dedicated to ensuring access to justice for all low-income individuals and communities.  CLS has eight legal units covering a wide range of civil legal services.  The Employment Unit, located at our 1424 Chestnut Street office, represents clients with employment-related problems, including tackling barriers to employment, seeking unpaid wages, and preserving jobs.

This is a full-time position that includes providing legal assistance on employment issues to individual clients and community education on employment issues. Under supervision of an attorney, the Employment Paralegal will manage a heavy client caseload, provide advice and limited representation to clients (particularly ex-offenders), secure criminal, child abuse and medical records, package cases to go for referral and provide community education training involving employment matters. The position may also include analyzing legal claims, interviewing and counseling clients, writing demand letters, negotiating legal claims, and preparing legal documents, such as pardon petitions.

Strong interpersonal skills, excellent oral and written communication skills, as well as the ability to deal with a high volume of direct client interaction are required.  Some substantive experience in Employment law is preferred, but not required. Good writing skills and the ability to learn a large volume of material quickly are also required.  Other responsibilities and qualifications necessary for this position include knowledge of other community resources for appropriate referrals, interviewing clients, obtaining the relevant case facts and drafting thorough memoranda for the case handlers, negotiating favorable outcomes for clients, and giving clients advice under the supervision of attorneys.  Fluency in writing and speaking a language other than English, preferably Spanish, is preferred, but not required.

This is a full-time position covered by the collective bargaining agreement between Community Legal Services, Inc. (CLS) and the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees, AFL-CIO and its affiliate District 1199C.  The current minimum starting salary is $32,500 for entry-level applicants but that salary is subject to change or adjustment if an applicant has relevant years of experience and according to the provisions of the current collective bargaining agreement.  Raises and benefits are also governed by that agreement.

Community Legal Services, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants of all diverse backgrounds to apply.  CLS, Inc. does not discriminate in the selection of employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity, genetics, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status.  In addition to federal law requirements, CLS complies with all applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.  This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall and transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.