New Hampshire Legal Assistance (NHLA) seeks a full-time Paralegal Advocate I for our Housing Justice Project (HJP). This position may be based in NHLA’s Concord, Claremont, Berlin, or Manchester offices. The HJP Paralegal Advocate I will have direct responsibility for work on housing matters, including extensive work with clients, under attorney supervision. Following demonstration of sufficient subject matter knowledge and skill, the Paralegal Advocate I may be able to transition into a Paralegal Advocate II position, which entails handling their own cases with attorney supervision, as described below.
For the first several months in the position, we expect the Paralegal Advocate to focus on work with low-income homeowners on issues related to property tax deeding, foreclosure, and manufactured housing (for people who own their manufactured homes). NHLA will provide comprehensive training and ongoing supervision from attorneys with extensive expertise in these areas of law.
In New Hampshire, non-attorneys are permitted to handle certain kinds of cases, known as administrative law proceedings, outside of court, with attorney supervision. In addition, the State of New Hampshire is currently operating a pilot project authorizing non-attorneys to represent clients in court in certain circumstances. Depending on qualifications and following training, the Paralegal Advocate may be eligible to participate in the pilot project and represent clients in court. This would facilitate transition to the Paralegal Advocate II role.
Extensive travel throughout New Hampshire is a requirement of this position (mileage reimbursement at the IRS rate is provided). NHLA offers hybrid (remote/in person) work arrangements to interested staff, typically permitting up to two days per week of regularly scheduled remote work after an initial orientation period. Staff members are provided with the necessary equipment (such as laptop computers) to work from their homes.
NHLA seeks to fill this position as soon as possible. The application process and timeline are described below.
NHLA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies strictly with all federal and state employment laws, as well as our anti-discrimination policy.
Position Duties:
• Work as an integral part of the HJP legal team (including attorneys, paralegal advocates and support staff) to provide legal services in housing matters, with an initial focus on work with low-income homeowners.
• After the first several months, transition to a broader housing focus, including work in eviction and housing discrimination matters.
• Work on HJP cases with attorney supervision, including extensive client work; gathering information and documents; and supporting litigation including preparation of draft documents.
• Participate in and lead community engagement efforts such as educational presentations and webinars.
• Learn and implement NHLA’s holistic, client-centered approach to civil legal aid.
• Depending on qualifications and following extensive training, transition to a Paralegal II role with responsibility for a caseload with attorney supervision.
Position Salary/Benefits:
This is a full-time position. Full-time is defined as 37.5 hours per week. This position is considered non-exempt for the purpose of federal wage/hour law.
The anticipated salary for the position depends on prior law-related work experience, expected to range from $53,500 (for candidates with 0 years of prior law-related work experience) to $58,237 (for candidates with 5 years of prior law-related work experience). After sufficient training and based on demonstrated skill, Paralegal Advocates may be eligible for higher compensation under NHLA’s Paralegal Advocate II job category, which starts at $58,500 for staff members who are eligible to participate in the courtroom representation pilot project.
The position is eligible for the NHLA employee benefits package including medical/dental insurance, retirement plan, and generous paid time off.
• At least 2-4 years of prior relevant post-secondary education and/or work experience.
• Prior law-related work experience and/or law-related education, and/or prior work experience providing services to people with low income, preferred.
• A four-year college degree, or a two-year college degree in a law-related field, is required for the courtroom representation pilot project. Two years of work experience with attorney supervision is also required (this requirement may be met after two years of work with NHLA, or based on previous work experience). Candidates with this educational/work background will be prioritized.
• Ability to travel extensively within New Hampshire.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally both orally and in writing.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Ability to speak and write another language, which is widely spoken in New Hampshire, is a plus. Additional compensation is available for staff members with second language skills who are willing and able to serve as interpreters/translators on occasion.
• Current technology skills including familiarity with Office 365 and Adobe.
• Commitment to and interest in expanding knowledge about access to justice and poverty.
Please send your resume with a cover email summarizing your interest in the position and your qualifications to: [email protected]. Applications that do not include a cover email, or applications submitted other than by email, will not be considered. We strongly encourage you to use your cover email to demonstrate your writing skills and showcase your qualifications.
In your cover email, please tell us in which office(s) you would be willing to work. Please also feel welcome to share anything that will help us communicate respectfully with you, any communication access needs or reasonable accommodations requested during the hiring process, or any other relevant information.
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