POSITION: Paralegal – Black Health Initiative / Medical Legal Partnership
LOCATION: Ron Olson Justice Center*
SALARY: $52,000.00k - $68,428.45k/Annually DOE, with excellent benefits
AVAILABILITY: Immediately
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Continuous until position is filled
Are you interested in joining an organization dedicated to increasing access to justice while addressing systemic inequities among the most vulnerable members of the Greater Los Angeles area? If yes, LAFLA is the place for you!
The Organization: LAFLA is a nonprofit law firm that protects and advances the rights of the most underserved—leveling the playing field and ensuring that everyone can have access to the justice system. Celebrating 95 years of service to Los Angeles communities, LAFLA is the first and most experienced legal aid organization in Greater Los Angeles. LAFLA has more than 200 employees, including more than 100 attorneys, who provide free services and resources on a broad range of civil legal issues that impact healthy, safety, and self-sufficiency. Every year, LAFLA helps more than 100,000 people find their voice, regain control of their lives, and build a brighter future. Our unique combination of neighborhood offices, self-help centers at courthouses, and domestic violence clinics puts LAFLA on the frontlines in communities at the forefront of change. LAFLA also engages in impact litigation to help enact long-term systemic change—actively collaborating with a network of public and private partners to expand access to justice, identify needs in the communities we serve, and change laws and policies that adversely affect the underserved. For more information, please visit www.lafla.org.
The Workgroup: Our nationally recognized Medical Legal Partnership works with healthcare professionals to identify and help patients reach their optimal health. MLP attorneys and paralegals holistically advocate on behalf of patients in substantive legal areas impacting the social determinants of health such as housing, family law, immigration, public benefits, and re-entry. We host six MLP sites across Los Angeles County.
The Project: LAFLA is currently accepting applications for the position of Paralegal - Medical Legal Partnership with our Black Health Initiative (BHI). BHI is a collaboration between LAFLA, the UCLA School of Law Center on Reproductive Health, Law, and Policy, and Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, serving the communities of South Los Angeles.
NOTE – This position is part of a special program created using designated funds. There is no assurance of ongoing funding or employment beyond 12 months from hire date.
QUALIFICATIONS:
• A four (4) year undergraduate degree or Paralegal Certificate;
• One (1) year relevant work experience preferred;
• Ability to work effectively with hospital personnel, staff, volunteers, students, attorneys, and community members;
• Experience in providing assistance to the poverty population, including experience in interviewing clients;
• Knowledge of various areas of law such as housing, immigration law, family law and/or government benefits;
• Demonstrated ability to function professionally and effectively within a highly stressful environment;
• Self-motivated, takes initiative, ability to learn quickly;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Organized, with ability to work on high-volume caseload;
• Comfortable with case management systems and other technology; and
• Ability to travel to clinic location(s).
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:
• Work effectively with medical personnel and in a medical environment to address the social determinants of health;
• Assume general administrative responsibilities including grant compliance, timekeeping, and case management;
• Assist with client screening and intake;
• Conduct and prepare legal research, writings, and memoranda as assigned;
• Assist with developing educational materials and coordinating community outreach activities;
• Provide individual client assistance, and work closely with community organizations;
• Perform general administrative tasks including data entry for timekeeping and case management;
• Interview and counsel clients;
• Provide limited service to clients;
• Work in conjunction with MLP attorney(s) in cases that involve housing, immigration, family, government benefits law, and/or other legal issues;
• Participate in clinics and other community outreach projects;
• Other duties as assigned.
• Contribute to the organization’s DEI plan and goals (via surveys, interviews, etc), supporting all DEI initiatives and helping to promote inclusion in a thoughtful way;
• To view LAFLA’s Commitment to DEI, please go to https://lafla.org/who-we-are/diversity-equity-inclusion-justice-at-lafla/
HOW TO APPLY - Please submit a cover letter and resume online to [email protected]. Include “Paralegal – BHI/Medical Legal Partnership” in the subject line.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD – A nine month probationary period will be required.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: Selection will be based solely on merit and will be without discrimination because of race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, creed, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, age, religion, genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military or veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, marital or registered domestic partners status, or any other legally protected status.
The organization is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees pursuant to applicable law. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. If you require reasonable accommodation as part of the application process or expect to require an accommodation if hired, please contact [email protected].
BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION – LAFLA offers a diverse environment with competitive compensation based on comparable public interest salaries. We also offer a generous benefits package for full-time employees including medical, dental, and vision for employees and dependents, life insurance, long-term disability and long-term care insurance, and 403(b) retirement plan. Eligible employees may also qualify for bilingual supplements, law student loan reimbursements, and a cell phone stipend. Please visit https://lafla.org/get-involved/careers/ for our salary scale for union, non-management staff.
HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE - LAFLA advocates are working on a hybrid work schedule, with the ability to work remotely up to half the week, if preferred, after the probationary period. The successful candidate must be local and willing to work from the assigned LAFLA office.
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