Access and Pro Bono Paralegal

Description

Job Summary:

The Access and Pro Bono Paralegal supports Legal Aid of Nebraska’s pro bono and Private Attorney Involvement (PAI) initiatives, centralized intake services, access-to-justice initiatives, and self-help services to help expand access to justice for low-income Nebraskans.

The primary focus of this position is support of Legal Aid’s Pro Bono and PAI activities statewide. The paralegal is expected to devote a majority of their time — approximately 60% or more — to coordinating volunteer-supported legal services, supporting clinics, assisting with pro bono and reduced-fee case placement, maintaining volunteer and program records, and supporting relationships with volunteer attorneys and legal partners.

The paralegal will also work flexibly to support centralized intake operations, access-to-justice initiatives, self-help services, and clinic operations based on organizational needs and program priorities.

Responsibilities include volunteer and clinic coordination, attorney, stakeholder and client communications, legal and administrative support, intake and referral processing, criminal history screenings, reviewing court records, document preparation, case management, data tracking, and support for efficient and effective delivery of legal services.

The ideal candidate is organized, adaptable, client-centered, collaborative, and committed to serving underserved communities.

Essential Functions

Pro Bono and Private Attorney Involvement (PAI) Support – Primary Responsibilities

• Assist with coordination and placement of pro bono and reduced-fee cases.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, scheduling, training coordination, and communication with volunteer attorneys and legal partners.
• Coordinate logistics for clinics, volunteer-supported legal service events, trainings, meetings, and outreach activities.
• Maintain databases and records related to clinics, volunteers, case placements, outcomes, and program activities.
• Review case files and supporting documentation for completeness prior to placement with volunteer attorneys.
• Prepare correspondence, legal documents, affidavits, pleadings, clinic-related materials, and standardized forms for attorney review when appropriate.
• Track volunteer hours, case activity, program outcomes, and reduced-fee billing activities in compliance with Legal Services Corporation (LSC) requirements.
• Support volunteer attorney communications, recognition efforts, and relationship-building activities.
• Assist with collection and reporting of program data, clinic outcomes, and volunteer activity metrics.
• Provide support to clients through clinics, volunteer-supported service models, referrals, legal resource coordination, and other access-to-justice initiatives.

Access to Justice and Self-Help Services

• Support operation of self-help clinics, walk-in centers, and access-to-justice initiatives.
• Coordinate clinic scheduling, registration, reminders, logistics, and follow-up communications.
• Assist clients with forms, document collection, self-help resources, and court process navigation.
• Prepare, organize, and maintain clinic materials, legal resource packets, court documents, pleadings, affidavits, and standardized legal forms for attorney review when appropriate.
• Support virtual, hybrid, and technology-assisted service delivery models.
• Maintain records and assist with reporting related to clinic participation, services provided, and program outcomes.
• Participate in outreach and community education activities when appropriate.
• Provide support to clients through clinics, self-help services, legal information, referrals, and limited-scope service delivery      models.

Centralized Intake and Client Access Support

• Conduct client intake interviews by telephone, online, or other methods to gather information and determine eligibility for services.
• Process applications, referrals, voicemail requests, criminal history screenings, and non-eligibility correspondence in accordance with Legal Aid policies and procedures.
• Relay attorney advice, provide referrals and follow-up materials, and assist clients in accessing appropriate legal and community resources.
• Maintain accurate case documentation, eligibility determinations, coding, and client communications within the case management system.
• Support attorneys and staff with high-volume intake operations, workflow management, and compliance with intake procedures and policies.

Legal and Administrative Support

• Draft, edit, proofread, file, and maintain legal documents, correspondence, forms, reports, and case files.
• Respond to client and attorney inquiries and provide updates as directed by attorneys.
• Assist with maintenance of legal databases and systems, including case management systems and Microsoft Office applications.
• Support preparation of reports, grant-related documentation, and program data summaries.
• Comply with Legal Aid policies, confidentiality requirements, and LSC regulations.
• Participate in implementing Legal Aid’s mission and programmatic goals.
• Maintain regular and consistent attendance.
• Provide legal and administrative support to attorneys, volunteers, and clients across access-to-justice initiatives and coordinated service delivery systems.

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of one year of experience in an office, legal, social services, or customer service setting; OR completion of a paralegal studies program or college degree.
• Strong organizational, communication, and customer service skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Commitment to Legal Aid of Nebraska’s mission and serving low-income communities.

Preferred Qualifications

• CLA certification or equivalent paralegal certification.
• Experience in legal aid, access-to-justice initiatives, clinics, pro bono programs, or high-volume intake environments.
• Experience coordinating clinics, volunteers, community events, or legal service operations.
• Familiarity with Nebraska court systems, legal forms, and legal processes.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, case management systems, and legal technology tools.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work collaboratively, and adapt to changing program needs.
• Experience working with low-income or underserved populations.
• Bilingual abilities are valued.

Physical Requirements

• Primarily office-based with general office working conditions.
• Ability to remain stationary for extended periods and operate standard office equipment.
• Ability to communicate clearly with clients and volunteers in person, virtually, and by telephone.
• Ability to lift up to 15 pounds when necessary.
• Occasional travel within Nebraska for clinics, outreach activities, trainings, or meetings may be required.

Other Duties

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of Legal Aid of Nebraska.