Paralegal Manager-Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project

Background:

Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project, a program of Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Inc., is a non-profit law firm which provides community education and legal representation to immigrant adults, families, unaccompanied minors, individuals with mental health issues, and in cases involving crimmigration. Esperanza has proudly provided legal services to immigrants and their families in Southern California for over 15 years. More information is available at www.esperanza-la.org.

Responsibilities:

Esperanza seeks a full-time Paralegal Manager to work in our Representation Program, assisting detained and non-detained immigrants in removal proceedings.

The Paralegal Manager for Representation Programs will coordinate and oversee the provision of support services by our paralegal team to the attorneys who provide direct legal services to clients. The Paralegal Manager will work with our Managing Attorneys to oversee data collection, and to ensure timely reporting and contractual compliance. The Paralegal Manager will be primarily responsible for ensuring workflow and coordination of assignments to all paralegals. Further, the Paralegal Manager will conduct regular one-on-one meetings with all paralegals. The Paralegal Manager will ensure that all legal support services adhere to organization-wide standards, and review paralegal’s work to ensure quality. The Paralegal Manager will work with Managing Attorneys and other staff to ensure that all intake clinics for released minors are properly coordinated, and that the flow of cases from intake to attorney assignment is functioning properly. In addition to the tasks above, the Paralegal Manager will be expected to spend approximately 50% of their time providing paralegal support work to attorneys. The Paralegal Manager will report directly to the Directing Attorney for Representation Programs.

• Manage schedule and assignments for all paralegals, including coordination of intake clinics. 
• Supervise paralegal work, conduct one on ones with paralegals and other support staff, and review staff work to ensure quality. 
• Train, mentor, and maintain updated paralegals on all aspects of tasks that may be needed for legal representation team, including, but not limited to: case initiation and closing procedures (and any variations as necessary for the various populations we serve: unaccompanied minors, adults (both detained and adults), and Franco class members); preparing declarations, preparing, assembling, and filing packets before the State Family and Probate Courts, Immigration Courts, USCIS, and ICE. 
• Oversee data management, ensure contractual compliance and work with Managing Attorneys to streamline all billing and LawLogix processes. 
• Take initiative to implement structure and programs to make programs more efficient. 
• Participate in all Esperanza management team activities. 
• Provide case support to attorneys approximately 50% of the time. 

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; 
• Spanish fluency required; 
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail a must; 
• Ability to think creatively, help implement structures and programs, and take initiative; 
• Prior experience providing paralegal support to attorneys and/or accredited representatives in represented cases before State Family and/or Probate Courts and/ Immigration Courts required.  
• Passion for social justice for immigrants and vulnerable communities. 
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Preferred Qualifications

• Paralegal Certificate or at least four years of relevant legal experience strongly preferred; 
• Prior experience in immigration law, crimmigration, and/or with a non-profit law firm strongly preferred, 
• Experience supervising other staff members, volunteers or interns is a plus; 

Experience working with children, detained individuals, mentally ill individuals, or immigrant communities preferred.

Catholic Charities offers a wide range of employee benefits to support the total wellness of its employees. Our competitive package provides the flexibility to select the benefits that best meets the employee’s needs. Benefits are effective the first of the month following 30 days of employment.

• Medical, Dental & Vision
  
• Life Insurance
• Retirement Plan to include 401a/employer contribution only and 403(b)
• Supplemental Insurance (life, Accident, disability insurance, etc.)
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Care Spending Account Reimbursement accounts (HAS)
• Vacation days – 12 days per year
• Sick time – 10 days per year
• Short- and Long-Term Disability
• 13 holidays per year for regular f/t & p/t employees
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Cell Phones for those working in Shelters or with Clients outside of the office 
• Employee Recognition - Annual Staff Appreciation Day Event
• Free Parking