Public Benefits Paralegal

About Utah Legal Services 

Our Mission: To protect the rights of the disadvantaged and persons of limited means through legal representation, advocacy, and education. 

Equal Justice Under Law is one of our nation’s most basic principles. However, economic realities often leave these promises unfulfilled. This is where Utah Legal Services comes in. Since our inception as a nonprofit in 1976, ULS has been committed to making equal justice a reality by providing free services, in civil legal matters. Last year, ULS assisted over 9,000 clients with legal issues related to their basic needs, such as housing, family safety, and income security. More than 74 attorneys and legal professionals, working remote and in person, deliver client services from four regional offices in Salt Lake City, Ogden, Provo and St. George. Join our team and help us level the playing field for low- income Utahns, ensuring everyone has a voice in the legal system. 

Job Summary

We are searching for an individual who wants to join us in our mission to protect the rights of the disadvantaged Utahns. Join the Public Benefits Taskforce and learn how to help Utahns through the legal process by assisting attorneys with case management, document preparation, client support, and administrative duties. You will learn how to facilitate communication between the client and the attorney, obtain key information, and update electronic case files, and ensure case compliance. To efficiently support attorney and clients, while providing client support, paralegals must have strong organizational and interpersonal skills.

Key Accountabilities

• Assist clients by answering questions, concerns, explain processes and providing relevant case updates on case process and activity.
• Provide administrative support to attorneys throughout the duration of a case.
• Research records, databases, rules, regulations and state and federal statutes and laws; provide analysis and summaries to support attorney case progression.
• Maintain communication with clients, attorneys, court clerks, mediators, and other legal representatives.
• Review cases on an on-going basis and manage case load to ensure timely case resolution.
• Ensure case compliance with court, grantee and Legal Service Corporation regulations.
• Complete necessary paperwork, compile records and case documentation and ensure proper filing.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills and Abilities

• Strong commitment to assisting individuals from disadvantaged communities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and critical thinking abilities.
• Well-developed organizational skills, attention to detail; time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines and demonstrate a high level of adaptability.
• Strong ability to multitask. 

Requirements

• Prior experience working in a law office preferred.
• Must be 18 years or older.
• High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate degree or some college preferred.
• Spanish speaking preferred.
• Must have a reliable mode of transportation. 
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds at a time.

Compensation 

• This is a nonexempt, full-time (40 hours/week)
• Hourly Rate  $19.75 + DOE

Department: Public Benefits

Reports to: Public Benefits Taskforce Managing Attorney

Benefits  

Employees are eligible for benefits starting at 30 hours per week. Our benefit package includes health insurance, dental, employer paid vision insurance, life insurance, employer paid short and long-term disability coverage, paid parental leave, employee assistance programs, flex hours, continuing education opportunities through Coursera and Practicing Law Institute, 403b retirement account and matching contributions, generous paid-time off (21 days per year and increases at your second year), paid leave for 13 federal and state holidays, remote work options are also available for qualifying staff. 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Utah Legal Services believes that equal opportunity of all employees is important for the continuing success of our organization. In accordance with state and federal law, this nonprofit will not discriminate against an employee or applicant for employment because of race, disability, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or veteran status in hiring, promoting, demoting, trainings, benefits, transfers, layoffs, terminations, recommendations, rates of pay, or other forms of compensation.