Legal Aid DC seeks a Legal Assistant/Paralegal to support its Intake Program.
The Legal Assistant/Paralegal
will serve as an initial point of contact for members of our client community seeking legal assistance.
Since 1932, Legal Aid has provided civil legal assistance to clients in individual cases and engaged in systemic reform. Currently, we provide individual representation in consumer law, domestic violence/family law, housing, immigration, public benefits, and appellate matters. We also help individuals with the collateral consequences of their involvement with the criminal justice system. From the experiences of our clients, we identify opportunities for law reform, public policy advocacy, and systemic impact and appellate litigation.
Legal Aid believes that meaningful pursuit of our anti-poverty mission requires an unwavering commitment to racial justice and equity. We aspire both to reflect the rich racial diversity of the communities we serve and to value, respect, and empower our staff and clients to be effective agents of change. For more information about Legal Aid please visit our website, www.LegalAidDC.org.
About the Role:
The Intake Program manages all aspects of Legal Aid DC’s walk-in, online, and telephone intake program. The Program coordinates with Housing, Public Benefits, Consumer, and DV/Family, Immigration law
and other project staff to implement and monitor systems for client-centered initial legal interviews, efficient identification of legal issues within Legal Aid’s practice areas, and timely processing of requests for assistance. The Legal Assistant/Paralegal reports to the Intake Program Director.
The Legal Assistant/Paralegal
will mainly work in
Legal Aid’s main NW office and
our community office in SE Washington, DC. Occasionally, work may be performed at other community-based sites. Legal Aid DC has a hybrid work schedule. The Legal Assistant/Paralegal
will be required to work in the office a minimum of 4 days a week and may be required to work in the office more frequently, depending on job responsibilities.
Most of the Legal Assistant/Paralegal’s time will be spent supporting the Intake Program,
including processing online intakes, sending rejection and referral letters, conducting in-person and phone intakes, monitoring
our client database, updating client service information, and conducting intake interviews.
They will also perform administrative functions that will support the entire organization.
Responsibilities:
- Collecting information from callers and walk-in applicants to screen their eligibility for Legal Aid’s services and providing referral information, when appropriate
- Conducting in-depth intake interviews by telephone and/or in-person
- Entering intake interview information into Legal Aid’s client database, LegalServer, and running reports when necessary.
- Conducting new client intakes in all of Legal Aid’s practice areas at community-based offices and intake sites.
- Assisting with management of the online intake application process, including initial screening of online intake applications.
- Sending timely rejection and referral letters to applicants.
- Monitoring general intake voicemail box; triaging and returning calls as appropriate.
- Maintaining applicant and client data tracking systems; assisting with gathering data to track and analyze intake trends.
- Assisting with gathering data to track and analyze intake trends, including running LegalServer reports.
- Providing programmatic and administrative support to the Intake Program, including, but not limited to:
- Assisting the Director of Intake with new staff intake orientation sessions
- Providing administrative support to various projects handled by the Intake Director or Intake Supervising Attorney
- Coordinating efforts to update written referral materials, including Legal Aid’s legal and social services referral lists
- Responding to written requests for assistance
- Assisting with hiring process for new Intake Program staff.
- Staffing Legal Aid’s front desks.
- Performing administrative tasks as needed.
- Occasionally working on nights and/or weekends as necessary to be responsive to client, community, and operational needs.
Qualifications:
- Strong commitment to racial, economic and social justice
- Experience engaging with individuals who are in crisis or dealing with trauma
- Effective oral and written communication skills
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
- Ability to multi-task and prioritize assignments
- Strong computer skills including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and other Microsoft applications
- Familiarity working with online databases preferred
- Familiarity with legal, social services or public benefits systems through lived and/or prior professional experience preferred
- Bilingual skills preferred (in Spanish, Amharic, or another language prevalent in Legal Aid’s client community), but not required
- Availability to make a two-year minimum commitment strongly preferred
Salary and Benefits:
The Legal Assistant/Paralegal will be paid in accordance with Legal Aid's policy based on years of relevant full-time experience. Lateral hires will receive credit for years of relevant work experience. Starting salaries are as follows:
- Entry-level: starting at $52,428
- 2 years of relevant work experience: $55,937
- 3 years relevant work experience: $60,897
- 5 years relevant work experience: $64,732
Legal Aid generally provides two salary increases per year, depending on funding availability: a cost-of-living increase at the beginning of the year and a step increase in July.
Legal Aid offers a generous benefits package, including eligibility for fully paid health insurance, annual retirement match, 13 paid holidays, 20 days of annual leave per year and 15 days of sick leave per year.
Click here for full salary scale and additional benefits information.
This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW Local 2320. New hires start with a 90-day probationary period before they are considered full-time, regular employees.
To Apply:
Legal Aid values an inclusive, diverse workplace and encourages applications from interested persons from diverse backgrounds of any race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other legally protected status. We strongly encourage applications from people with personal experience with the criminal justice system and/or with lived experiences in the communities we serve. Interested persons should submit a letter of interest and resume here. Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted. This position has a closing date of August 22, 2025. No emails or phone calls, please.
