Paralegal - Rural Justice Grant

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

POSITION: Paralegal (Full-Time) Hybrid

CLOSING DATE: Position Immediately Available and Closed When Filled

LOCATION:         Odessa, Texas 

Abilene, Amarillo, Brownwood, Dallas, Denton, Farmers Branch, Fort Worth, Lubbock, McKinney, Midland, Odessa, Plainview, San Angelo, Waxahachie, Weatherford, Wichita Falls, Texas

ABOUT: Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas (LANWT) is a non-profit public interest law firm that provides high-quality, free civil legal services to low‑income individuals and families in 114 counties across North and West Texas. Our mission is to ensure equal access to justice and improve the lives of low-income communities by providing high-quality legal representation, strategic litigation, valuable legal advice and meaningful collaborations, outreach, and community education.

JOB OVERVIEW: LANWT seeks dynamic, self-motivated paralegal with vision, initiative, and a strong commitment to public interest law to join our team. Depending on office needs, some paralegal positions function primarily as case handlers, carrying and managing their own caseload under attorney supervision, while others provide broader case support.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Under the direct supervision and authority of a licensed attorney, the paralegal provides legal support and advocacy services in accordance with LANWT policies, the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, the Texas Lawyer's Creed, and applicable ABA standards. A paralegal does not practice law independently. Depending on office needs and experience, some paralegals serve primarily in a case support role, while others serve as case handlers, managing their own caseload from intake through resolution within the scope permitted by law and under ongoing attorney supervision. Core responsibilities include:

• Provide paraprofessional legal assistance to eligible clients in civil legal matters, consistent with program priorities and attorney supervision.
• Serve, where assigned, as the primary case handler for designated matters, managing a caseload from intake through resolution under the supervision and authority of a licensed attorney.
• Conduct client intake, screening, referrals, and create and maintain accurate electronic case files.
• Assist with case development through client interviews, fact gathering, research, and investigation, using trauma-informed and culturally competent practices and recognizing indicators of trauma or crisis.
• Draft pleadings, orders, correspondence, and other legal documents; file documents in person or via e-filing; coordinate hearings; and communicate with courts, opposing parties, and clients.
• Support attorneys and advocates in client representation and community-based work, including participation in outreach and legal education efforts as assigned.
• Maintain organized, up-to-date case records and track case status, statistics, and required reporting.
• Develop and maintain knowledge in assigned legal practice areas and stay current on laws, procedures, and issues affecting LANWT's client population.
• Build relationships with social service agencies and make appropriate client referrals.
• Provide translation or interpretation for clients when applicable.
• Participate in training, staff meetings, and supervision; seek guidance as needed.
• Travel to courts, agencies, and community locations in support of casework.
• Maintain a working knowledge of, and ensure compliance with, Legal Services Corporation (LSC) regulations, LANWT policies and procedures, and grant and funding requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the managing attorney, deputy director, or CEO.

 Paralegals may work in one or more civil practice areas, depending on office needs and candidate experience. Specific duties by practice area include, but are not limited to, the following:

Housing Law

• Assist attorneys with tenant eviction defense cases, including preparing court filings and gathering evidence.
• Support case files involving habitability, repair-and-deduct remedies, and unsafe housing conditions.
• Assist with subsidized housing and Section 8 voucher termination hearings, including document preparation and client communication.
• Help clients complete fair housing discrimination complaints and reasonable accommodation requests.
• Communicate with landlords, property managers, and public housing authorities under attorney direction.

Family Law

• Assist attorneys representing survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in protective order proceedings.
• Prepare pleadings and documentation for divorce, conservatorship, visitation, and child support matters.
• Assist with paternity establishment and enforcement case preparation.
• Support conservatorship cases involving grandparents and relative caregivers.
• Coordinate with domestic violence shelters and advocates to support client safety planning.

Consumer Rights and Bankruptcy

• Assist attorneys in preparing defenses to debt collection lawsuits.
• Help gather documentation for unfair and deceptive trade practices, identity theft, and predatory lending claims.
• Prepare bankruptcy petitions and schedules for attorney review and filing.
• Assist clients with credit reporting disputes and related correspondence.
• Support casework involving auto title loan and payday loan issues.

Employment, Including Tax Law

• Assist attorneys with wage and hour claim documentation and evidence gathering.
• Help clients prepare unemployment benefits appeals.
• Support case preparation for wrongful termination and workplace discrimination matters.
• Assist low-income taxpayer clinic attorneys with IRS dispute documentation, including collections and Earned Income Tax Credit denials.

Public Benefits and Social Security

• Assist clients with SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid denial, reduction, or termination appeals.
• Support attorneys with SSDI and SSI application and appeal preparation.
• Prepare clients and documentation for administrative hearings before the Social Security Administration and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
• Assist with public benefits overpayment dispute documentation.
• Help clients understand eligibility requirements for public benefits programs.

Probate

• Assist attorneys with heirship determinations, small estate affidavits, and muniments of title.
• Support guardianship alternative filings, including supported decision-making agreements.
• Assist elderly and low-income clients with gathering documentation for their property and clouded title matters.
• Help prepare wills and other estate planning documents for attorney review.
• Assist with probate court filings for contested and uncontested estates.

Foreclosure Prevention

• Assist attorneys representing homeowners facing foreclosure, including loss mitigation and loan modification paperwork.
• Communicate with mortgage servicers and lenders under attorney direction.
• Support casework involving wrongful foreclosure and mortgage servicing violations.
• Help clients understand options to prevent tax foreclosure, including payment plans and exemptions.

Education and Health Law

• Assist attorneys representing students and families in education matters, including IEP and Section 504 plan disputes.
• Support case preparation for school discipline hearings, including expulsion and disciplinary placement matters.
• Help clients navigate healthcare access and health insurance marketplace issues.
• Assist with casework involving long-term care and nursing facility disputes.

Other General Civil Legal Areas

• Provide paraprofessional support on additional civil legal needs identified within LANWT's service area.
• Assist with disaster-related legal need casework as needed.
• Support impact litigation and other strategic advocacy initiatives as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate's degree and paralegal certification, preferred.
• Spanish fluency (verbal and written), preferred.
• Strong organizational skills; detail-oriented, self-motivated, and able to prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; professional and courteous interpersonal abilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and related computer applications.
• Ability to manage emotions well and handle interactions calmly and professionally with clients and colleagues, with strong interpersonal skills to engage empathetically with clients who may be in crisis or experiencing trauma and to de-escalate difficult or emotionally charged interactions.
• Ability to work independently while exercising sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality under attorney supervision.
• Ability to manage an independent caseload, including tracking deadlines and case status, when serving as a case handler under attorney supervision.
• Ability to understand, apply, and stay current on Legal Services Corporation (LSC) regulations, LANWT policies and procedures, and grant and funding compliance requirements.
• Strong work ethic, accountability, and professionalism.
• Ability to travel occasionally and maintain reliable attendance.

This position requires regular use of a computer and standard office equipment, occasional lifting and moving of files or materials, and periodic travel to courts, community locations, and organizational meetings. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

SALARY: Current entry-level salary is $40,150 per year. The salary for the successful candidate may be significantly higher, based on candidate's years of experience. The paralegal is a non-exempt employee subject to state and federal wage and hour laws.

BENEFITS: Excellent benefits package that includes paid vacation and holidays; a retirement plan; health, dental, vision and life insurance.

Please submit a cover letter expressing interest, a resume, and three professional references during the application process.

LANWT is an Equal Opportunity Employer. LANWT does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

VETERANS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY