Paralegal

About Cabrini Green Legal Aid

Cabrini Green Legal Aid (CGLA) was established in 1973 to serve the legal needs of Chicago"s Cabrini Green public housing community. Since then, CGLA has grown beyond a single neighborhood to become a statewide leader in holistic legal services, information, advocacy, and resources exclusively for low-income individuals negatively impacted by the criminal legal system.

CGLA is distinguished among legal aid service providers by our expertise in legal matters related to the consequences of the criminal legal system. Any engagement with the criminal legal system can greatly disrupt an individual, family, and community"s quality of life. Since 2014, CGLA has been the sole legal aid services provider focused on these adverse impacts.

Our work includes criminal records, criminal defense, housing law, and family law. We provide direct legal services and provide information and resources to other legal aid organizations, pro bono attorneys, and the general public. We further support our clients with wraparound social services from our social workers. We also advocate for policy reform as informed by our legal services and the lived experiences of our Leadership Council, an Advisory Group made up of former CGLA clients and community members directly impacted by the criminal legal system.

CGLA exists to remove barriers to equity in the criminal legal system, working towards a more just and equitable criminal legal system.

NO PHONE CALLS OR RECRUITING FIRMS, PLEASE!

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Paralegal to join our team. This role is primarily focused on administrative tasks, including heavy data entry, client support, and e-filing. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment, possess excellent communication skills, and be adept at managing routine tasks with precision. While this role currently involves little to no casework, legal research or legal writing, it plays a crucial part in supporting our legal team and clients effectively.

This position provides administrative support to attorneys in multiple legal program areas, including Criminal Records, Criminal Defense, Civil Programs and Pro Bono. In addition, the Paralegal will help screen new applications for legal assistance, juvenile and criminal records research, and other tasks done by team members.

• Work with Attorneys, Social Workers and other staff on various tasks including assisting with case management, preparing client correspondence, maintaining files, and providing administrative assistance at court hearings.
• Conduct eligibility screening and substantive interviews for potential clients with legal issues, including potential clients who are incarcerated, by telephone, web conference, and in person, including at the Cook County Jail and Illinois' prison facilities.
• Lead and organize Case Analysis Meetings, presenting information collected through interviews and research that program supervisors will use to decide whether to accept or reject the potential client's case.
• Support the attorney in coordinating program-specific court calls including communication with clients and court staff and preparing files and Legal Server profiles.
• Manage and maintain potential client information and administrative records from different sources including the telephone system, help desks, emails and client referrals from preferred partners; ensuring timely data entry into CGLA's case management database for data tracking and reporting.
• Assist program attorneys by responding to client referrals from community partners, including criminal records research, screening referred clients to determine eligibility for relief, conducting intakes, scheduling appointments, and following up with clients.
• Assist with juvenile and criminal records research of both partner organization clients and Help Desk clients.
• Accurately input and manage large volumes of data in a fast-paced environment, ensuring all information is current and precise.
• Organize and review documents and files, both paper and electronic, as needed.
• Obtain documents from courts and law enforcement agencies and perform other fact-gathering activities.
• Perform routine administrative tasks, including managing court schedules, organizing files, and maintaining records.
• Maintain documentation of assigned administrative and paralegal functions for use in training new interns, volunteers and/or team members.
• Provide training for new interns, volunteers and/or team members, through the shadow process, in which the paralegal explains how to complete tasks while the trainee observes the paralegal's work.
• Provide backup coverage for other team members responsibilities and the Help Desk, as needed.
• Prepare files containing client information and other documents for reference during intake interviews.
• Assist attorneys at the physical Help Desk located at the Daley Center for approximately 4 hours up to two days per week, providing excellent customer service and assisting clients with their inquiries and needs.
• Assist attorneys at the virtual weekly Expungement Court Call by tracking and updating outcomes of cases heard. Serve as the point person for in-person client check-ins in the event CGLA staff provides onsite services at court hearings.
• Work with Legal Server, CGLA's legal case management software.
  
  

Other Duties

Performs other duties as assigned.

Education

Bachelor's Degree preferred.

Qualifications

• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite, particularly Excel and Word.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks efficiently.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Detail-oriented with a high level of accuracy in data entry and administrative work.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and handle monotony with resilience.
• Comfortable asking questions, seeking clarification, and learning from mistakes.
• Self-aware with a strong ability to follow instructions and work independently.
• Experience or familiarity with legal environments is a plus, but not required.
  
  

Required Skills

• A demonstrated commitment to social justice and criminal justice reform.
• Strong organizational and leadership skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills. Maintain clear and professional communication with clients and team members, both verbally and in writing.
• The ability to work collaboratively with others. Work independently while also contributing positively to team efforts, sharing knowledge and supporting colleagues as needed.
• The ability to manage multiple projects and a variety of tasks while being energized by the opportunity to work in a fast-paced, team-centered environment.
• The ability to respond effectively to both planned and unplanned changes, demonstrating flexibility in handling new tasks and challenges.
• Attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and thoroughness in all tasks, identifying and correcting errors as needed.
  
  

Preferred Skills

• Previous experience in an administrative or paralegal role.
• Familiarity with e-filing systems and legal terminology.
• Ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines.
  
  

Supervisory Responsibility

None.

Required Hours

Monday through Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm, 40 hours per week.

NOTE: Non-traditional hours – occasional weekends and evenings – are required.

Physical Requirements

• Remain stationary in an office environment for long periods of time.
• Communicate clearly so other can understand, and understand communication from others. Manage high levels of mental stress.
• Effectively move around in a typical office environment.
• Daily operation and use of a computer.
• Occasionally move up to 25 pounds.
  
  

Travel Requirements

Travel to the Daley Center (50 W. Washington) and the Juvenile Court (1100 S. Hamilton) will be required. Travel to community- based organizations, or other court locations, as needed, will also be required.

Must travel to attend occasional meetings at CGLA's office (6 S. Clark Street, Chicago), development fundraising events, and off-site donor or funder meetings.

Working Conditions

CGLA has implemented a telecommuter and flexible work policy that allows employees to perform work remotely. This position is hybrid and will require some in-person meetings and activities. Employees must have adequate internet access to work from home.

If working in the office, you must be able to work in an open office setting with moderate noise levels and follow all COVID-19 safety protocols.

The salary for this position is $46,328.00

CGLA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages qualified candidates of all backgrounds to apply for this position.

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