Family Law Unit Paralegal

POSITION: FAMILY LAW PARALEGAL

FULL-TIME

Anticipated Start date: August 1, 2024

Hiring Timeframe: Rolling until filled.

Application requirements: Cover letter, resume, references, and a five-page legal-writing writing sample

Philadelphia Legal Assistance (PLA) seeks to immediately hire a full-time paralegal for its Family Law Unit. PLA is a non-profit legal services organization primarily funded by the Legal Services Corporation. PLA serves approximately 3,000 clients each year in the area of Family Law and views the practice of family law to be an integral part of the war on poverty and family violence.  This includes taking a wide variety and complex mix of family law cases, including child custody, child and spousal support, protection from abuse, and divorce. The family law practice at PLA is trauma-informed and focuses on alleviating the impact of interpersonal family violence.

Responsibilities:

This role will focus on assisting survivors of interpersonal violence. This includes assisting litigants with filing pleadings at the Family Courthouse and staffing the Help Center. The paralegal will interview clients, prepare pleadings, gather evidence, and other routine paralegal duties. The family law paralegal will also perform eligibility intakes and outreach and community education to various client and advocate groups throughout Philadelphia.

Paralegal certificates are not required, and training is provided by the Family Law Unit upon hire.

QUALIFICATIONS:

College graduate preferred. Commitment to family violence issues preferred. Ability to interact well with people experiencing trauma and stress, handle emotional issues, and work in a fast-paced environment. Prior work experience at a public interest law firm or in the area of family law preferred but not necessary. Fluency in Spanish is preferred.

Starting Salary and Benefits:

Salary is dependent upon experience, starting at $43,000. PLA offers a generous benefit package in addition to salary: health insurance premiums paid in full for employee and family, cash incentives for health insurance opt out, vacation, personal, and sick leave, thirteen (13) paid holidays, 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution based on years of service, life insurance and short and long term disability benefits.

Work Location:

PLA’s office is at 718 Arch Street in Philadelphia. Staff may request to work from home up to 3 days per week.

Application Process:

Philadelphia Legal Assistance (PLA) is an equal-opportunity employer. PLA values a diverse work environment and strongly encourages women, people of color, people who identify as LGBTQ, people with disabilities, people who have experienced poverty or homelessness, and people who have had prior contact with the juvenile, criminal, or child welfare systems to apply. PLA invites all applicants to include in their cover letter a statement about how your unique background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and legal services practice.

Send cover letter, resume, references, and five page writing sample, preferably in one PDF document, to work@philalegal.org.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, and the positions will remain open until filled. We encourage applicants to submit applications as soon as possible.