Paralegal (Housing and Consumer Programs)

Paralegal
Housing and Consumer Programs

Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Inc. (LSEM), a nonprofit law firm providing free legal assistance to people living with low-incomes and groups serving disadvantaged communities, seeks a highly organized individual for a full-time Paralegal position, who will work half-time  in the Housing Law Program and half-time in the Consumer Law Program, under the supervision of attorneys.

The Housing Law Program assists families and individuals facing eviction, loss of housing assistance, poor living conditions, discrimination, and other housing issues.

The Consumer Law Program helps individuals with a wide array of consumer issues, including consumer fraud, deception and abuse cases, consumer debt-defense litigation and counterclaims, and tenant’s rights litigation.

Responsibilities:

• Performing client intake as needed
• Conducting fact investigation and document gathering 
• Providing litigation support e.g., preparing exhibits and trial materials, attending court proceeding, filing pleadings
• Drafting, cataloging, and organizing discovery requests and responses, and assisting clients with answering discovery
• Being a conduit of information between attorneys and clients
• Providing limited representation to advocate for clients in non-litigation matters
• Providing clients with community resource referrals
• Developing Knowledge Management (KM) resources within program and maintaining KM resources. (i.e., how we store and organize forms, templates, research, and other required documents)
• Building and maintaining relationships with partner organizations and the courts
• Organizing and participating in community outreach/events (court table, speaking events, clinics) and creating outreach materials
• Managing service of process for cases
• Assisting with general case management and file maintenance
• Drafting pleadings, notices, papers, and correspondence, as needed
• Conducting legal research
• Performing skip trace, asset searches, and searching real property records

  Who we are:
LSEM advances justice through legal representation, education, and supportive services. We partner with the community to improve lives, promote fairness and create opportunities for those in need. Since 1956, LSEM has provided high-quality civil legal assistance and equal access to justice for low-income people in 21 counties in Missouri. We accomplish our mission through systemic advocacy/impact litigation and individual case work in a wide range of substantive civil areas which are in our priorities, e.g., family law for victims of domestic violence, prevention of homelessness/loss of housing, health, public benefits, consumer, education, disability, community economic development, and immigration. As part of our community education/outreach efforts, LSEM works with over 150 agencies and participates in over 35 task forces/coalitions. LSEM also has a vibrant Volunteer Lawyers Program.
   
Salary & Benefits Information:
The salary range for this position is $39,500-$59,200. Specific salary offered to a candidate will be based on their years of experience and education. Excellent benefits including medical, dental and vision insurance, a generous time off policy (starting at 4 weeks per year), 12 weeks paid parental leave, 403(b) and 401(a) retirement plans, long-term disability and life insurance, employee assistance plan, and flexible spending account.