The Paralegal provides legal, administrative, client services, and logistical support to the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center's Consumer & Bankruptcy Law programs, including the Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Clinic and the Consumer Law Resource Center. This position provides similar support to the Advice & Referral Clinic, and Legal Information Helpline. Working under the direction of the managing attorney, the Paralegal provides client intake, case management, legal document preparation, volunteer attorney support, legal research, program operations, and data management to help ensure the effective delivery of high-quality pro bono legal services.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provides legal and case management support for the Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Clinic, to include conducting telephone screenings and client intake interviews, preparing and maintaining electronic client files, assisting attorneys with document collection and case preparation, drafting routine legal correspondence and bankruptcy-related documents under attorney supervision, preparing bankruptcy petitions, schedules, statements, and related filing documents for attorney review, monitoring case progress and communicating with clients and volunteer attorneys, and maintaining screening logs, placement records, volunteer activity records, and program statistics.
- Provides legal and administrative support for the Consumer Law Resource Center (CLRC), to include serving as the first point of contact for clients, conducting client intake, maintaining clinic rosters and clinic operations, drafting routine correspondence and follow-up communications, and ensuring accurate client records.
- Supports the monthly Advice & Referral Clinic, to include preparing clinic materials, volunteer resources, conducting volunteer attorney registration, providing on-site support during monthly clinics, and compiling post-clinic statistics and reports.
- Supports the Legal Information Helpline, to include responding to inquiries, providing legal information and referrals consistent with Pro Bono Center policies, maintaining referral resources, and tracking call statistics and preparing reports.
- Provides legal and administrative support to the managing attorney, to include conducting legal research, drafting legal memoranda, drafting routine pleadings, motions, correspondence, and other legal documents under attorney supervision, preparing exhibits and supporting documentation, maintaining case files, assisting with special projects and grant reporting, and maintaining program manuals and forms.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Prior relevant paralegal or legal services experience.
- Excellent legal research, analytical, and organizational skills.
- Experience drafting legal correspondence and legal documents.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365.
- Ability to work one Saturday each month.
- Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working environment.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Must be detail oriented and deadline driven. Able to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills. Must work well in a team environment and be able to interact, including in-person, with Bar members, volunteers, vendors, the public and Pro Bono Center and Bar employees.
- Must work well under pressure, possess excellent organizational abilities, and able to manage several priorities in a day.
- Must be adaptable, creative, and self-motivated.
- Ability to handle and maintain the confidentiality of highly sensitive information.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Paralegal Studies, Legal Studies, Business Administration, Public Administration, Communications, or a related field; or possession of a paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved program.
- Experience working in bankruptcy, consumer law, legal aid, or another public interest legal setting.
- Experience preparing bankruptcy petitions and related pleadings.
- Experience using LegalServer, MyCase, Best Case, Clio, PACER, or other legal case management systems.
- Experience coordinating volunteers or legal clinics.
- Fluency in Spanish.
***Please submit resume, cover letter, and two (2) writing samples. Incomplete applications that do not include all required documents will not be considered.***
This position is currently a hybrid position, with days worked in the office and days worked remotely. The hybrid status of this position may change at any time subject to the Pro Bono Center’s discretion.
This is not an attempt to list all essential functions of this position. Job duties may change over time based on Pro Bono Center needs.
The D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law.
The D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center is committed to providing qualified individuals with reasonable accommodations to perform the essential functions of their jobs, pursuant to applicable law. If you require reasonable accommodation as part of the application process, please contact Human Resources.
As part of the accommodation process, we will conduct an individualized interactive process and may ask you for additional information. Any final hiring decisions or start dates may be delayed while the accommodation review process is ongoing if the individual cannot begin work without the requested accommodation.
Skills Required
- Prior relevant paralegal or legal services experience
- Excellent legal research, analytical, and organizational skills
- Experience drafting legal correspondence and legal documents
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365
- Ability to work one Saturday each month
- Commitment to diversity and an inclusive working environment
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Detail-oriented, deadline-driven, and able to multitask in a fast-paced environment
- Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills
- Ability to work well under pressure and manage multiple priorities
- Adaptable, creative, and self-motivated
- Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information
- Associate's or bachelor's degree in a related field or paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved program
- Experience in bankruptcy, consumer law, legal aid, or public interest legal services
- Experience preparing bankruptcy petitions and related pleadings
- Experience with LegalServer, MyCase, Best Case, Clio, PACER, or similar legal case management systems
- Experience coordinating volunteers or legal clinics
- Fluency in Spanish
- Resume, cover letter, and two writing samples
What We Do
The District of Columbia Bar is the unified association for lawyers admitted to practice in the District. Created by the D.C. Court of Appeals in 1972, it supports lawyers in maintaining professional and ethical standards through education, practice resources, and pro bono opportunities. It also assists the courts, promotes the administration of justice, and advances access to legal services for people in need while protecting the public.
