Paralegal/Case Manager

De Novo is a community-based agency that provides free legal services and affordable mental health counseling for low-income people throughout the Greater Boston/Cambridge area. De Novo strives to create a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and safe work environment that welcomes, encourages, and values everyone’s contributions and fosters an exchange of ideas and mutual learning.

De Novo seeks a Full-Time Paralegal - Case Manager to work in its Program COVID Eviction Legal Help Project to provide legal support to staff attorneys representing income eligible tenants in Massachusetts facing eviction due to the impact of COVID-19. This is a grant-funded positions through December 31, 2021. Extension of employment beyond this date is contingent on the availability of funding.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The COVID Eviction Legal Help Project was formed to expand the capacity of existing legal aid organizations in Massachusetts to respond to the eviction crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Teams of... non-lawyer advocates and lawyers at local legal aid programs provide support and legal representation at different stages of the eviction process. The Paralegal – Case Manager is an integral part of this statewide initiative.

SUMMARY OF THE PARALEGAL CASE MANAGER POSITIONS

Under the oversight of a lead attorney and De Novo’s Housing Supervising Attorney, the paralegal shall perform his/her duties within the parameters of the project to which he/she is assigned in accordance with the project’s guidelines and priorities.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Screen and interview prospective clients, assess client eligibility under existing program income and geographic guidelines and program/unit priorities.
• Make referrals to other agencies, as appropriate.
• Record client information using computerized record-keeping systems consistent with program needs and policies.
• Become knowledgeable with substantive areas of practice.
• Triage cases and identify imminent or urgent deadlines.
• Assist with tracking deadlines and court events, and monitor court dockets.
• Under the oversight of an attorney, provide simple legal information and/or self-help packets.
• Under the supervision of an attorney, provide legal advice and assist clients in completing legal pleadings, court forms, and other litigation-related paperwork.
• Under the oversight of an attorney, assist tenants with applications for financial assistance for rental arrearages and other stabilization resources.
• Under the oversight of an attorney, draft correspondence to clients, the court, and opposing party
• Under the oversight of an attorney, assist tenants in completing application for benefits such as DTA and housing
• Attend and participate in scheduled meetings where client eligibility, advice, information and referrals are reviewed.
• Participate in trainings and engage in community education and outreach, including targeted outreach to identified households facing eviction
• Provide administrative support to lawyers to prepare cases for court events.
• Perform such other duties as assigned consistent with the provision of quality client services.

BACKGROUND AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Paralegal studies/Certificate or Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Experience in housing, legal services, social services, or case management preferred.
• Comfort working with a broad range of stakeholders, including professionals, community groups, and individuals.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Capacity to identify and analyze legal and other problems.
• Ability to do basic word processing and perform data entry.
• Demonstrated concern for and commitment to the goals of legal services and to working for low-income people.
• Experience working with interpreters and/or fluency in language(s) in addition to English preferred.
• Bicultural/bilingual (Spanish) highly desirable.

HOURS, SALARY, AND BENEFITS: The position is 35 hours/week. Salary is commensurate with experience. Excellent fringe benefit package, including health, life, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance, vacation, personal, and sick time, 403(b) plan, Flexible Spending Plan, training and professional development opportunities.

To Apply: Applicants should submit 1) a cover letter addressing experience and interests relevant to the position, and 2) a resume to John Froio, Deputy Director, De Novo, email address: jfroio@denovo.org. No phone calls please. Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as applications will be considered on a rolling basis. For more information about De Novo refer to our website: www.denovo.org

De Novo is a Fair Employment Practices/Equal Employment Opportunity/disability accessible employer committed to maintaining a diverse workplace. Qualified candidates from diverse personal, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds are encouraged to apply