Foreclosure Legal Assistant

The Legal Assistant will provide administrative and outreach support for MLSA’s Foreclosure Legal Assistance (FLA) Program. The FLA Program will prioritize homeowners who have experienced hardships and help Montanans stay housed and connect homeowners with available assistance and social services. This position provides pro se assistance to clients and coordinates communication between the applicants, clients, intake specialists, and MLSA attorneys regarding case status.

Specific Duties

• Provide support to the Attorney for FLA Program.
• Assist with outreach throughout Montana about FLA, including:
  • Help develop and participate in community outreach and program initiatives throughout Montana.
  • Plan meetings (in person, by phone, or by webinar) of MLSA staff and community partners of the FLA Program.
• Assist with applications from those who seek legal assistance:
  • Process new referrals and complete intakes and scheduling for new referrals.
  • Coordinate with Clerks of Court, applicants and clients to obtain more information as needed on referrals.
  • Coordinate communication among applicants, clients, MLSA intake navigators and staff attorneys regarding case status.
  • Perform conflict screening, assist applicants with forms and coordinate with MLSA staff in the gathering of relevant information.
• Provide support to attorneys in ongoing cases, including:
  • Draft correspondence, discovery and simple pleadings, using appropriate MLSA forms.
  • Calendar all case-related dates and events.
  • File pleadings in court (conventional and electronic); serve court filings and discovery; investigate, examine and analyze documents obtained from the court files, in discovery and from other sources as needed or requested.
  • Communicate with clients as requested.
  • Assist with case file management including organizing and maintaining electronic and paper files, and case closing.
  • Other duties as assigned by supervisor.
• May be asked to assist with answering incoming HelpLine calls and applications from those who seek legal assistance.
• Other duties as assigned by Supervisor or Director of Advocacy.

Required Skills & Attributes

• Commitment to belonging, social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Good listening skills.

• Strong interpersonal and verbal skills.
• Capacity to learn and adapt.
• High degree of computer data entry proficiency and accuracy.

• Ability to work productively in a fast-paced environment with multiple timelines.
• Ability to organize, prioritize and manage multiple activities and tasks.
• Knowledge and proficiency in utilizing computer software such as Microsoft Office Suite, computer-based research, internet-based project management programs, and video conferencing platforms, etc.
• Ability to use technologies to communicate with colleagues and volunteers in rural and remote locations.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team to manage projects.
• Willingness to travel regularly throughout the state of Montana.

Preferred Skills & Attributes

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent educational experience.

• Experience networking with community organizations and conducting outreach campaigns.

• An understanding of the civil equal justice legal needs of low-income people, including the unique needs of populations that experience particular barriers to access to justice systems, and of effective approaches and methods for addressing those needs.
• Experience working collaboratively and empathetically with diverse groups of colleagues, firm partners, and clients who have varying cultural backgrounds, perspectives, experience, and expertise.
• Knowledge of substantive legal areas affecting low-income people.

MLSA is an equal opportunity employer and we consider the diversity of our staff to be vital to our organization's success. We strongly encourage and welcome people of all cultures, races, educational backgrounds, life experiences, socio-economic classes, sexual orientations, ages, genders, and physical abilities to apply.

Salary : $39,000 - $45,000