Job Description
CHILD JUSTICE, INC.
POSITION TITLE: PARALEGAL
STATUS: Full-Time, Exempt, Professional, Grant Funded
REPORTS TO: Deputy Legal Director and/or the Legal Director
HOURS: Monday through Friday, office work is remote (temporarily) with court appearances expected throughout the State
SALARY: Starting salary is $50K – 60K with competitive benefits
START DATE: April 2022 (submit materials by March 31, 2022 for best consideration; job will remain open until filled)
A RESUME, COVER LETTER, AND REFERENCES ARE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION
JOB SUMMARY:
The Paralegal will work under the supervision of attorneys to provide legal services to CJI clients in protective order and complex family law matters. The Paralegal may assist with intake, document gathering and review, client interviews and follow-up contacts, case document management, legal research and will work as part of a litigation team. The successful candidate must be able to independently perform case file reviews, communicate with clients, gather and summarize information/documents provided by clients and witnesses, update case files and data management systems, and provide litigation support from client intake through post-trial actions. The Paralegal will also assist CJI clients with accessing resources for non-litigation needs, as appropriate.
WHO WE ARE:
Child Justice, Inc. (CJI) is a non-profit legal services organization whose mission is to protect children who might otherwise be "lost in the system" after exposure to family violence, physical, psychological or sexual abuse, substance abuse or neglect. Staff attorneys provide protective, non-offending parents and victims of abuse free legal assistance in family law cases (petitions for protection, custody, divorce) and related legal matters. We provide services and advocacy throughout the state of Maryland.
CJI’s work involves the intersection of the civil legal, criminal justice, and child welfare systems. Our staff members need to be trauma-informed and understand concepts drawn from the fields of psychology, law and social justice.
PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Provide client-centered legal support to CJI attorneys and clients in complex family law cases, including protective order, child custody and some divorce cases, as well as related matters such as contempt, modification, appeal, and shielding hearings in the Circuit and District Courts throughout Maryland. Specific duties may include:
a. Assist in assessment of potential clients seeking legal assistance from CJI.
b. Support and assist attorneys and other staff in all aspects of case litigation.
c. Identify legal and procedural issues in individual cases and promptly bring to the attention of attorneys.
d. Prepare opening, closing and case status memoranda, as directed.
e. Update, contemporaneously, case files and client management systems.
f. Request, gather, review, redact and secure documents from potential clients, clients and witnesses.
g. Summarize documents, develop and maintain indices and binders for litigation.
h. Maintain email and phone contact with clients during the pendency of litigation.
i. Schedule appointments, maintain case calendar, apprise attorneys of upcoming litigation due dates, and provide reminder calls and contacts to clients.
j. Document all contacts with clients and third-parties.
k. Draft simple correspondence, document requests and responses, subpoenas, and notices for trial or deposition and arrange for service of same.
l. Compile, inventory, maintain files of all responses and documents related to discovery or litigation requests and prepare trial exhibits and summaries.
m. Work with clients to draft answers to discovery, obtain documents, and respond to requests for information.
n. Redact documents as appropriate and ensure that protected information is filed under seal or otherwise.
o. File court documents, manually and/or via MDEC.
p. Draft retainer agreements for clients and experts.
q. Draft legal documents including, but not limited to discovery, memoranda of law, motions, orders, answers, complaints, counter-complaints, and correspondence.
r. Maintain and organize case files.
s. Locate additional resources and referrals to address clients’ non-litigation related needs.
t. Proficient use of use MDEC, CLIO and Outlook, Word, Excel, Adobe Pro, DropBox and other software.
2. As part of the legal team, coordinate trial calendar, schedule interviews, perform administrative duties, develop and provide follow-up services and referrals for clients or prospective clients.
3. Attend regular staff meetings, team meetings, in-house training and continuing legal education.
4. Maintain case statistics and develop regular reports of project achievements for inclusion in grant reports, and other CJI products.
5. As part of the CJI team, provide occasional staffing for events, participate in project and membership development, attend and participate, as time permits, in committees and policy-making bodies concerned with child protection and interpersonal violence.
6. Other duties as assigned.
JOB REQUIREMENTS:
1. Must have a Bachelor’s degree or a combination of an Associate’s degree, paralegal certificate and/or demonstrated skills in case management, litigation preparation, writing, research and communication.
2. One year paralegal certificate from ABA approved program is preferred.
3. Experience working in a family law practice or legal services program serving victims of interpersonal violence is preferred.
4. Must have a commitment to providing excellent legal services for non-offending protective parents and victims of interpersonal violence. Must understand the issues facing protective parents and victims of interpersonal violence in the Maryland courts.
5. Experience working with survivors of interpersonal violence and/or child abuse is preferred.
6. Must have excellent written and oral communications skills. Must be fluent in English.
7. Must have a demonstrated ability to handle multiple professional projects, and to prioritize workload and assignments.
8. Must have ability to maintain work deadlines and follow directions.
9. Must have strong interpersonal skills and excellent judgment. Must be empathic, creative and people oriented.
10. Must be flexible and a team player.
11. Must have proficient knowledge of basic computer operations and Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint), Adobe Pro, DropBox, MDEC and Outlook, as well as general office equipment. Experience with CLIO or other case management systems is preferred.
12. Must complete tasks promptly and thoroughly without close supervision.
13. Must have reliable transportation, including a driver’s license and insurance, if applicable, and the ability to attend in-person court hearings throughout the state of Maryland.
14. Ability to bend and lift up to twenty (20) pounds.
SALARY AND BENEFITS:
Beginning salary is $50,000.00 to $60,000.00 annually but may be higher depending on experience. After three (3) months of successful employment, employee will receive reimbursement for medical insurance up to $5,300.00 per year for an individual and up to $10,700.00 for a family through the Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement (QSEHRA), short and long-term disability insurance, basic life insurance including accidental death and dismemberment, 401K retirement savings plan for employee contributions, four (4) weeks paid vacation and one (1) week sick leave. Job-related travel mileage will be reimbursed and as well as up to $90.00 per month for cell phone usage.
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT/WORKING CONDITIONS:
Remote work to start. Hybrid of remote and in-office work may be possible after May 2022. Child Justice will provide a laptop computer (Microsoft Office 365), monitor and docking station, printer, scanner, and subscriptions/online resources.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
1. Must be available to work a minimum of forty (40) hours per week.
2. Must satisfactorily complete a background check.
3. Must successfully complete a three (3) month probationary period.
4. Must abide by all CJI policies and reasonable requests or directions of supervisors within the scope of employment.
5. Must have reliable transportation, and any necessary license or insurance, to ensure ability to travel to complete case work and employment tasks and to attend court proceedings throughout the state.
6. Must maintain detailed log of all clients/cases on which Paralegal works and complete necessary paperwork and memoranda to track case work for grant funding and other purposes.
7. Must maintain accurate timesheets rendered on a regular basis.
8. Must meet expectations of the job performance at a satisfactory level.
TO APPLY:
Interested candidates should send, cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information for three (3) professional references to:
Luanne P. McKenna, Esq.
Deputy Legal Director
Child Justice, Inc.
8850 Columbia 100 Parkway
Suite 302
Columbia, Maryland 21045
Luanne.McKenna@Child-Justice.Org
Candidates meeting the minimum qualifications may be contacted for a telephone and/or Zoom interview.
Child Justice is committed to equal opportunity and qualified applicants from all backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and identities are encouraged to apply.
Company Description
Child Justice, Inc. (CJI) is a non-profit legal services organization whose mission is to protect children who might otherwise be "lost in the system" after exposure to family violence, physical, psychological or sexual abuse, substance abuse or neglect. Staff attorneys provide protective, non-offending parents and victims of abuse free legal assistance in complex family law matters, including petitions for protection, child custody and other matters. We provide services and advocacy throughout the state of Maryland. CJI’s work involves the intersection of the civil legal, criminal justice, and child welfare systems. Our staff members need to be trauma-informed and understand concepts drawn from the fields of psychology, law and social justice.