Legal Aid Justice Center · 1 month ago
Legal Assistant
Richmond, VA
Full-time
Hybrid
Entry Level
$52K/yr - $67K/yr
1+ years expThe Legal Aid Justice Center is a nationally recognized, non-profit organization dedicated to fighting for racial, social, and economic justice for low-income clients and communities of color in Virginia. The Legal Assistant-Client Advocate role is essential for day-to-day operations, focusing on client communication, case management, and administrative support to ensure the smooth running of the office.
LegalPublic Safety
Responsibilities
Communicate with clients to define and clarify our mission and services to help create a collaborative environment in which community, staff and volunteers are informed an up to date
Handle all aspects of community contact in an efficient and professional manner including answering the phone; listening to voicemails; documenting initial contacts; conducting intakes, providing referrals, utilizing our legal database, supporting emergency triage and receiving client documents
Enter all prescreen/intake and relevant client data and documents into Legal Server
Communicate with community members with an equity and social justice lens to assess needs and coordinate essential services
Conduct intakes with potential clients, which includes initial fact gathering, reviewing eligibility information, ensuring accuracy in databases and files, and gather documents to support building a case
Oversee all front desk-related activities including directing visitors and handling administrative tasks, maintaining the reception area, and other tasks to ensure efficient operations
Provide accurate fast-paced data entry and file maintenance
Other administrative tasks may include but are not limited to: preparing and providing materials and information for client cases and other legal issues and assist with paper and electronic filing; communicating pre-approved advice, updates, or legal information from lawyers to clients; providing backup for other offices as needs arise; assisting with communications with clients and community partners, preparing documents for attorneys
Provide legal assistant experience through a cultural humility and trauma informed lens
Demonstrate respectful, professional, and timely written and verbal communication, during all internal and external interactions
Together with the team: provide referrals and maintain lists of resources for clients in relevant subject areas; supervise and onboard interns and volunteers; track changes and trends in community requests and needs
Organize and maintain confidential documents and files and perform assigned administrative tasks to support office functions and safeguard compliance with relevant laws and regulations
Support community and volunteer engagement – be visible, greet and support community members and train admin volunteers; provide customer service by phone and in person; and keep community and volunteers informed and connected with services, organizers, and resources
Define and clarify the Legal Assistant/Client Advocate role for community and staff by answering questions; shadowing; and attending meetings; and by keeping a presence at the reception desk and common areas when needed
Act as a referral specialist by building connections with local partner agencies and community organizations and implementing new referrals
Engage in special projects with attorneys, organizers, and other teams including extended trips in the field, outreach tabling, correspondence, mailings, events coordination, and other activities
Provide support to other offices as needed. This could include in-person support for the Petersburg office
Other duties as assigned
Promote racial equity across all dimensions, including within LAJC, by doing the following: Helping to recruit, retain, and support both staff and leadership that reflect the racial composition of our community; Cultivating respect for the work and expanding resources for non-attorney staff that are disproportionately people of color; Creating spaces for staff to discuss issues of racial, gender, and all other issues of marginalization; and Pushing for institutional and cultural changes by management, the board, and staff to further promote racial equity
Qualification
Required
Strong commitment to social, economic, and racial justice
Self-starter, excited and passionate about client and community experiences
Spanish Fluency
Proficient in MS Office applications, including Word, Excel, Teams, and Outlook
Ability to learn and effectively utilize case management systems such as Legal Server
Analytical thinker with excellent conceptual
Demonstrated organizational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and ability to multitask in a high pace environment
Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Preferred
2+ years as a legal assistant or closely related customer service experience in a law office or similar setting
Experience in Spanish/English translation in a law office or similar setting
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to manage sensitive and confidential situations with tact, professionalism, and diplomacy
Skills in professional email, verbal etiquette, and effective communication
Ability to provide a fully bilingual, English/Spanish, Legal Assistant experience through a cultural awareness and trauma informed lens
Benefits
Generous paid time off every year, including 3 to 6 weeks of vacation, 12 days of health leave, 16 weeks parental leave, and 14 holidays (not including bonus holidays/rest days allocated as needed)
100% employer paid health, dental, and vision insurance, plus excellent family insurance with annual max of $2,400 premium contribution to LAJC-sponsored health plan
403(b) retirement plan with 4% employer contribution (no required match)
Strong commitment to professional development
Company
Legal Aid Justice Center
The Legal Aid Justice Center partners with clients to achieve justice by dismantling systems that create and perpetuate poverty.
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Contessa Riggs
Chief Development Officer
Recent News
Maryland Daily Record
2025-02-26
2025-02-26
2024-11-20
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