Reports to Supervising Attorney

FLSA Status Full-Time, Non-Exempt (Union position)

Application Deadline Until Filled

Salary $17.72 - $32.79 per hour

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

For over 50 years, CCLS has been representing and advocating for low-income individuals in Merced, Tuolumne, Mariposa, Fresno, Tulare, and Kings Counties. With more than 90 employees, CCLS works to provide high quality, no-cost civil legal services to low income individuals, families, and communities—improving the wellbeing of our Valley through systems-changing advocacy, client education, and legal work that meets individual clients’ immediate needs. We also work closely with agencies and community organizations that share our commitment to support our clients in being their own agents of change.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Consumer/Senior/Public Benefits Team provides consumer justice support to the communities throughout the Central Valley of California. These efforts are accomplished through legal work in the areas of estate planning, public benefits support, and fraud protection particularly in the area of solar panel fraud. Paralegal advocates assist with Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Advance Health Care Directives and Affidavit Death of Joint Tenant Deeds for our senior population. Additional support involving public benefits gives an opportunity for paralegals to work with low income, often disabled clients, who have nowhere else to turn for help. CCLS assists with government benefits including social security, social security disability, CalWORKs and CalFresh programs. Finally, and in collaboration with staff litigation attorneys, the team is involved in several affirmative litigation cases related to Solar Panel disputes. These are complex cases that often involve Fraud and Breach of Contract.

DUTIES

• Under attorney supervision, assist with drafting pleadings, discovery, document management, and general case management in consumer-related cases;
• Interview, assist, and otherwise provide high quality services to clients consistent with CCLS program priorities;
• Participate in weekly CCLS case review meetings;
• Interface with other CCLS and California advocates on issues of mutual interest;
• Participate with client groups and community-based service providers;
• Carry out CCLS policies and procedures;
• Attend training and keep abreast of changes in the law;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience providing litigation support to attorneys in a formal law firm, legal department, or equivalent setting;
• Demonstrate a genuine interest in the needs and legal rights of low-income people and elderly or disabled persons;
• Ability to follow case review policies and procedures;
• Knowledge of the principles and procedures of court proceedings;
• Knowledge of, or ability to learn, consumer, public benefits, and senior rights law;
• Ability to conduct client interviews, investigations, legal research, analytical reasoning ability, case review and problem solving;
• Superior interpersonal, oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to work closely with others in a small unit setting: a commitment to teamwork is essential;
• Ability to work effectively with diverse groups of individuals and organizations including ability to provide leadership within a culturally diverse environment; must maintain effective interpersonal relationships at all organizational levels and with the public;
• Competency/experience with PC systems and standard software (Microsoft Office, Access, Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and other relevant databases);
• Reliable transportation, a valid CA Drivers’ License with appropriate car insurance.

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Education, training and experience sufficient to meet the requirements of Business & Professions Code § 6450, including documentation of at least one of the following:
• A certificate of completion of a paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association;
• A certificate of completion of a paralegal program, or a degree from a postsecondary institution that requires the successful completion of a minimum of 24 semester (or equivalent) units in law-related courses and that has been accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization or approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education;
• A baccalaureate degree or an advanced degree in any subject, a minimum of one year of law-related experience under the supervision of an attorney who has been an active member of the State Bar of California for at least the preceding three years or who has practiced in the federal courts of this state for at least the preceding three years, and a written declaration from this attorney stating that the person is qualified to perform paralegal tasks;
• A high school diploma or general equivalency diploma, a minimum of three years of law-related experience under the supervision of an attorney who has been an active member of the State Bar of California for at least the preceding three years or who has practiced in the federal courts of this state for at least the preceding three years, and a written declaration from this attorney stating that the person is qualified to perform paralegal tasks.

CCLS MANDATORY VACCINATION POLICY

Please note that CCLS currently requires all staff to be fully vaccinated and to have at least one booster (if eligible). Medical and religious exemptions to this requirement are also available.

CCLS is an equal opportunity employer: we value equity, inclusion, and diversity, across all races, cultures, classes, ages, religions, gender identities and presentations, sexual orientations, body sizes, family structures, abilities, and all categories protected by law. We encourage all interested individuals to apply. CCLS is subject to a Collective Bargaining Agreement.