Full-Time Paralegal
The Pennsylvania Farmworker Project
of Philadelphia Legal Assistance

The Pennsylvania Farmworker Project of Philadelphia Legal Assistance has an opening for a full-time paralegal position. The position is available immediately.

Background: The Pennsylvania Farmworker Project (PFP) is a special project of Philadelphia Legal Assistance (PLA). PFP provides legal representation to the migrant and seasonal agricultural worker population throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The vast majority of farmworkers are monolingual Spanish speakers who migrate to Pennsylvania from other parts of the U.S. and Mexico.

Responsibilities:

The paralegal will conduct extensive community education and outreach. This will include community education and outreach to farmworkers in labor camps as well as to social service providers serving migrants and seasonal farmworkers throughout Pennsylvania. Furthermore the paralegal will be required to hold weekly office hours in PFP’s Kennett Square satellite office.

The paralegal shall also 1.) assist attorneys with all facets of case representation, including pleading and motions writing, discovery, witness interview and preparation, litigation coordination, court accompaniment, legal research, etc. 2.) assist in the preparation and dissemination of pro se or education materials and in providing community education trainings, 3.) maintain working relationships with migrant service providers throughout Pennsylvania and 4.) maintain regular communication with migrant staff. A paralegal’s caseload may vary depending on the combination of types and complexity of cases being carried, the extent of involvement in attorney assistance and community education.

During the tax season, PFP conducts a six to eleven week Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania staffed jointly by PFP and Philadelphia Volunteers for the Indigent Program and twenty or more volunteers. The VITA site takes place on the Saturdays of each of these weeks and provides tax return preparation services to approximately 100 ESL clients during the six to eleven week period. Throughout the entire year, PFP receives a grant from the Internal Revenue Service to operate a Low-Income Taypayer Clinic (LITC). The LITC provides community education to ESL persons as well as advice and representation in tax controversies. The paralegal will be required to attend all Saturdays of the VITA site on an annual basis. The paralegal’s duties include 1.) Coordinate with the Internal Revenue Service and PLA to compile all materials necessary for the operation of the VITA site 2.) Assist the attorney in researching all pertinent tax regulations and publications for the purpose of editing and revising the VITA ste training manual and other materials 3.) Assist the attorney in coordinating and conducting trainings in federal, state and local tax return preparation for VITA volunteers prior to the start of each year’s VITA site 4.) Provide the Executive Director a final statistical analysis of services provided under the LITC for grant reporting purpose and under the VITA site.

The paralegal will be expected to assist the project in tracking new legal developments and monitoring the trends in types of cases clients are presenting to assess the needs of the farmworker community. The paralegal may carry her/his own caseload or be assigned to work directly with an attorney or a combination of both. In either case, practicing in the PFP includes the following activities: conducting intake through extensive outreach at farm labor camps throughout the state of Pennsylvania during evenings and possibly weekends, or at a PFP office through the use of a toll free number. Intake tasks include but are not limited to providing clients with advice, brief service or referral.

Qualifications:

1. Fluency in written and spoken Spanish required,
2. good research and writing skills, and
3. ability to travel throughout Pennsylvania (and stay overnight when necessary).
4. Bachelor’s Degree. Previous experience working with farmworkers, immigrants or a low-income client population is an advantage.

Salary is commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits.

Interested persons should send their cover letter and resume to:

 Position will remain open until filled.

PLA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ATTORNEY
REGIONAL HOUSING LEGAL SERVICES – PITTSBURGH OFFICE

Regional Housing Legal Services (RHLS) is a public interest law firm that for over 30 years has provided specialized legal and technical assistance throughout Pennsylvania to community-based non-profit organizations that develop affordable housing, create economic opportunities, and revitalize low income neighborhoods. RHLS has offices in Glenside (outside of Philadelphia), Harrisburg and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

RHLS is seeking an attorney with 1-5 years of community development experience for its Pittsburgh office. The successful candidate must have a commitment to providing legal services to lower income communities and currently be a member of a state bar, preferably Pennsylvania. Previous experience in the areas of real estate development and finance, partnerships, nonprofit corporations and tax law is highly desirable. Primary responsibilities will be transactional, not litigation. Extensive local travel is required. A valid drivers license or access to alternate means of transportation is required.

Salary depends on experience. Excellent benefits package will be provided. Consideration will be given to graduating law students with demonstrated interest and experience in community development.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Send a letter of interest and resume to:

RHLS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. People of color, persons who are bi-cultural, bilingual in Spanish, women, and persons who are disabled are encouraged to apply.

Public Interest Law Firm Seeks Executive Director

The Legal Clinic for the Disabled, Inc. (LCD), a public interest law firm providing free civil legal services to low-income people with physical disabilities in the Philadelphia metropolitan area, seeks an energetic Executive Director committed to access to justice for this population. This F/T position reports to and works with LCD’s board of directors. The Executive Director

Candidates should have excellent legal and communication skills, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a passion for public interest law. They must be admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania and have at least eight (8) years relevant professional experience. Prior experience in fundraising, financial management or employee supervision is a significant plus.

ATTORNEY
Laurel Legal Services - Johnstown Office

Full-time position in the office in Johnstown, PA representing low income individuals and domestic violence victims in civil, non-fee generating cases and providing telephone advice and referrals.

Applicants must be admitted to the practice of law in PA or be eligible for Reciprocal Admission. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, handicap or disability.

Send resume with references, salary history, and writing sample to :

Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

Laurel Legal Services, Inc., is an Affirmative Action Employer funded in part by the PA DPW, IOLTA, and Legal Services Corporation.

Martin Luther King Jr. Legal Fellowship
North Penn Legal Services

North Penn Legal Services (NPLS), in partnership with the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. (PLAN Inc.) is searching for a law school graduate to counsel and represent clients in legal matters, while maintaining responsibility for outreach and project development and coordination in the Spanish-speaking community of Hazleton in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. In addition to an excellent benefits package, the successful applicant is eligible to receive up to $11,000 in school loan repayment assistance over a two year period.

NPLS is a nonprofit organization that provides free, professional legal assistance and direct representation to low-income families, individuals, and groups in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

PLAN Inc. administers the Martin Luther King Jr. Fellowship Program and is the principal funding agency for organizations that comprise the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network. The Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network (PLAN) is the community of legal services organizations that provide legal assistance to low income residents of Pennsylvania.

The goal of the MLK Fellowship Program is to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by actively promoting cultural and ethnic diversity in legal service programs.

Qualifications:
Minimum qualifications: Bilingual in Spanish, a member of the Bar of Pennsylvania or be eligible to become a member of the Pennsylvania Bar. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Application Procedure:
Please send a letter of interest, current resume, writing sample and three references to:

NPLS and PLAN Inc. are Equal Opportunity Employers.