Paralegal- Injunction for Protection Project
Position Summary
The Injunction for Protection Project (IFP) Paralegal position exists to provide assistance to the IFP Attorney in the delivery of legal representation to victims of domestic, dating, and sexual violence and stalking throughout the injunction for protection process. The IFP Paralegal is employed by the YWCA to provide assistance to the IFP Attorney with all client activity and court processes. This includes screening clients for eligibility and conducting client intakes: scheduling client appointments; preparing notices and discovery requests and correspondence; communicating with clients regarding the status of their case and to obtain information and documents; calendaring court dates in a timely manner; meeting discovery deadlines; creating and maintaining time logs; completing e-file pleadings; and assisting in the preparation for and attendance at injunction hearings including gathering exhibits and communicating with witnesses.
Position Duties & Functions
Facilitation of Direct Services
• Provides assistance to IFP Attorney in the direct legal representation to survivors of domestic, dating, and sexual violence and stalking in temporary and final injunction for protection proceedings and for violations of injunctions
• Schedules client appointments and communicate with clients regarding the status of their cases and to obtain any necessary information and documents
• Prepares notices and discovery requests and correspondence as needed
• Files E-filing pleadings, calendar court dates, and meet discovery deadlines
• Assists with completion of monthly, quarterly, or other reports requested or required to monitor completion of project deliverables
• Attends IFP Project training events as required per the deliverables
• Monitors data security and ensures consistent implementation daily
• Maintains accurate program participant files, case notes, daily logs
• Communicate with clients to gather information and provide updates
• Enters client data into CLIO to manage records and participant files
• Organize and maintain legal files and records
• Conduct legal research to support legal proceedings
• Organize and prepares case exhibits and evidence for hearings
• Other duties as assigned by IFP Attorney related to the IFP Project
Ensure YWCA IFP Project is viewed as the legal expert on domestic violence in Palm Beach County and remains a well-established and well-known program by:
• Collaborating and partnering with providers, agencies, businesses and/or networking in the community
• Communicating with the IFP Attorney consistently and as needed
• Promoting and advancing YWCA USA advocacy initiatives including inclusion and gender issues in the areas of domestic violence
• Attending weekly staff meetings facilitated by the Chief Program Officer to ensure the best services and service delivery for program participants
• Participate in regular staff, case staffing, in-service and other meetings.
• Obtaining at least 16 hours of training annually related to domestic violence or other trainings related to housing every year between July 1 and June 30.
• Ensures compliance and accuracy of data entry, daily logs, monthly reports, incident reports, and all other documentation related to service provision.
• Ensuring all program standards are adhered to and followed as established by funders.
• Maintaining accurate daily logs, monthly report requirements, and all documentation related to service provision
• All other duties as assigned
Skills & Abilities
• Must be knowledgeable of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Must be prompt; timely and responsive to needs of fast-paced organization
• Must be able to handle confidential information discretely
• Must be able learn quickly and have strong problem solving and critical thinking skills.
• Must be willing to provide back up and support for staff working non-traditional hours (overnight and weekends)
• Must maintain a positive work environment
• DCF Domestic Violence Program Core Competency and privilege status obtained within first 90 days.
• Must be a notary or willing to obtain notary within 90 days of hire
Education
• Bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies or related field; or Paralegal certification from an accredited post-secondary institution with relevant externship; or a high school diploma with at least 5 years’ paralegal experience
Experience
• Two years’ experience providing litigation support to attorneys, preferably attorneys representing survivors of domestic, dating, and sexual violence and stalking in injunction for protection proceedings or other civil legal matters, or attorneys prosecuting or defending batterers in criminal proceedings. *Providing litigation support to attorneys in a supervised clinic or internship may be included as litigation experience
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
• Ability to exert physical effort which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (up to 20 pounds), bending, stooping, stretching, squatting, and sitting.
• Travel required in the Palm Beach County area.
Starting Salary Range: $40,000-$43,000
