What are the responsibilities and job description for the Intake and Legal Support Associate position at ArchCity Defenders?
ArchCity Defenders (ACD) is a holistic legal advocacy organization that combats the criminalization of poverty and state violence, especially in communities of color. ACD’s foundation of civil and criminal legal representation, social services, impact litigation, policy and media advocacy, and community collaboration achieves and inspires justice and equitable outcomes for people throughout the St. Louis region and beyond.
ACD envisions a society liberated from systems of oppression where the promise of justice and racial equity is realized; communities where our approach to public safety prioritizes investment in well-being, health, and transformation without relying on criminalization and incarceration; and people living freely in their communities, thriving regardless of their race or income.
- Re-envision public safety, promote community well-being through policy change, and hold public actors and institutions accountable for misconduct through litigation and zealous holistic representation.
- Challenge a system of policing, courts, and jails designed to meet municipal financial needs rather than the needs of those they purport to serve. Such practices attracted national spotlight during the 2014 Ferguson Uprising and remain widespread throughout our region.
- Engage in litigation and collaborative advocacy designed to bring abusive practices to an end and empower those communities that have been targeted by such practices.
Intake and Legal Support Associate
Role Overview
ACD seeks a diligent and creative individual with a strong commitment to social justice to join our dynamic and diverse staff of attorneys, paralegals, social workers, community organizers, and media and communication advocates who collaborate to provide holistic advocacy to address the causes and consequences of poverty and involvement with the legal system. The Intake and Legal Support Associate will report to the Managing Paralegal and collaborate with attorneys, paralegals, and other members of ACD’s legal teams. The ideal candidate will be a resourceful and adaptable professional who thrives in a dynamic environment. Highly organized and vigilant, they possess exceptional time management and situational awareness. With a commitment to professionalism, compassion, and integrity, they are solutions-focused, creative under pressure, and deeply dedicated to equity, holistic representation, and client advocacy.
Job Responsibilities
- Facilitate the smooth operation of ACD’s intake process, including follow-up inquiries and information collection.
- Processing intake summaries to expedite the review of intakes/applications for representation by ACD’s legal teams.
- Daily case management, including opening and closing files.
- Facilitate timely communication of case updates and other information to legal clients.
- Support the dissemination of pro se or legal advice and counsel materials to ensure access to legal information for ACD’s applicants.
- Handle incoming mail and calls.
- Assist with the collection of relevant records and documents.
- Conduct research and collate information relevant to cases.
- Maintain accurate, well-organized case files and collaborate effectively with legal teams.
- Complete and ensure completion of all documentation including timekeeping, intake, case notes, grant-specific documentation, and evaluation metrics for clients.
- Comply with all applicable regulations, policies, and grant requirements.
- Embrace a holistic, client-centered approach to representation.
- Support ACD’s overall mission, standards, policies and procedures, and confidentiality guidelines as well as adhere to the legal professional responsibilities that underpin the organization.
- Perform any other duties as assigned, contributing to the overall effectiveness and success of ACD’s legal team.
Skills and Qualifications
- Demonstrated ability to manage high volume workload effectively.
- Exceptional critical thinking, communication, and organizational skills.
- Ability to prioritize work tasks while working both collaboratively and independently.
- Ability to locate, obtain, review, analyze, and summarize relevant records and data.
- Excellent interviewing, writing, and communication skills with the ability to document clear work product and case notes.
- Commitment to cultural awareness, professionalism, confidentiality, compassion, and integrity.
- Ability to engage and work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Demonstrated commitment to public interest law, civil rights, and the mission of ArchCity Defenders.
Cover Letter and Writing Sample Instructions
- Please submit your cover letter as a single PDF file that includes your cover letter followed by a writing sample.
- Your writing sample should illustrate your professional writing ability. We’re not looking for a specific “type” of sample or number of pages, just some writing that would give us helpful insight. You may attach an existing piece of work or something newly drafted to the end of your cover letter.
Additional Information
- This is a full-time position with benefits, including health/dental/vision coverage, 401(k) with partial match, YMCA membership, work cell phone, parental and sick leave, subsidized parking, paid continuing education or professional development opportunities, and 26 days of PTO plus holidays. The salary for this position begins at $48,000 with potential for increase based upon years of experience.
- ArchCity Defenders is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, LGBTQIA , and gender non-conforming applicants.
- Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled with priority given to applicants submitting materials by April 25, 2025.
Salary : $48,000
