Southern Migrant Legal services (SMLS), A Project of Texas RioGrande Legal Aid seeks a Paralegal A for its Nashville office. The paralegal must be fluent in written and spoken English and Spanish. Preference will be given to applicants with a demonstrated commitment to social justice, especially in the areas of workers' and immigrants’ rights. Duties include (but aren’t limited to): assisting attorneys with litigation preparation; conducting outreach in rural areas (especially during evenings and weekends); performing client intakes; preparing community legal education materials and conducting Know Your Rights presentations; investigating cases; communicating with community organizations, the media, and other service providers; referring individuals to other agencies and private attorneys and any other duties as necessary.
Applicants must have a valid driver’s license. Applicants must be willing and able to travel extensively, overnight, especially during the spring and summer months. Proficient word processing, internet, and office skills are also required. This is an in-person position at the Nashville office location.
Organizational Background:
Southern Migrant Legal Services (“SMLS”) is a project of Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Inc. (“TRLA”), one of the nation’s largest nonprofit corporations that provides civil legal services to eligible, low-income persons. TRLA is one of the nation’s premier law firms in representing migrant and seasonal farmworkers, with over 30 years of experience in zealous, fearless, and effective advocacy. Opened in Nashville in 2001, SMLS provides free employment-related legal services to seasonal and migrant farm, poultry, catfish, nursery, and forestry workers in Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
Most of SMLS’s work is employment litigation in federal court. SMLS’s litigation has included representation of farmworkers (including victims of labor trafficking) with claims under the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (AWPA), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPRA), 42 U.S.C. § 1981, 42 U.S.C. § 1983, the federal H-2A program, and state contract, wage-and-hour, and tort law. SMLS also assists victims of labor trafficking and severe workplace crimes to obtain immigration relief.
A Paralegal A duties and responsibilities are essential to ensuring that eligible clients receive timely legal assistance, thorough case preparation, and meaningful representation.
Duties:
- Conduct intakes with clients, including eligibility screenings and substantive interviews, in person and through remote communication systems (telephone, video);
- Maintain regular communication with clients through meetings, telephone calls, and written correspondence, ensuring clients are informed of case developments and upcoming deadlines;
- Coordinate with team members and stakeholders to facilitate client communication, appointments, case-related activities, and administrative processes;
- Conduct follow-up and fact investigation in assigned cases, including gathering evidence, requesting records, and researching applicable law;
- Interview clients and witnesses and draft declarations statements;
- With attorney supervision, prepare forms and legal documents, including but not limited to interview preparation materials, motions, filings with administrative agencies, and other affirmative filings;
- Gather and organize evidence, including medical and mental health records;
- Communicate with and interview clients, witnesses, family members, and other contacts to develop the factual record in each case;
- Assist attorneys in case strategy development and hearing preparation;
- Schedule, organize, and facilitate attorney-client meetings;
- Present legal education and know-your-rights materials for clients, including rights advisories, procedural guides, and orientation presentations;
- Maintain accurate and complete client files and administrative records in compliance with program standards;
- Provide document translation and interpretation services for clients;
- Provide legal information and referrals to individuals who are not accepted for direct representation;
- Attend and participate in community group meetings and educational forums to conduct intake and make community legal education presentations;
- Track hearing dates, filing deadlines, and other critical case milestones to ensure timely completion of all deliverables; and
- Perform other related duties and tasks as assigned by Team Managers and attorneys
Required Qualifications:
- Fluency in English and Spanish
- Possess verbal, reading and writing skills sufficient to comprehend administrative law manuals and to adequately advocate on behalf of clients
Preferred Qualifications:
- College degree or equivalent paralegal experience
- Excellent verbal communication and writing skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team of attorneys, paralegals, social workers, and staff located throughout TRLA’s 68-county service area
- Ability to manage high-volume urgent deadlines
- Valid driver's license; some travel is required
- Dedication to serving low-income, vulnerable, underserved populations
Skills Required
- Fluency in written and spoken English and Spanish
- Verbal, reading, and writing skills sufficient to understand administrative law manuals and advocate for clients
- Valid driver's license
- Willingness and ability to travel extensively, including overnight travel
- Proficient word processing, internet, and office skills
- College degree or equivalent paralegal experience
- Excellent verbal communication and writing skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Ability to manage high-volume urgent deadlines
- Dedication to serving low-income, vulnerable, and underserved populations
What We Do
Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA) is a nonprofit organization that provides free civil legal services to low-income residents in 68 counties across Texas. Established in 1970, it is one of the largest legal aid providers in the United States. TRLA focuses on empowering vulnerable communities by offering high-quality legal representation and advocacy in areas such as family law, housing, employment, and civil rights, ensuring equal access to justice for all.
