Mission: The Pennsylvania Innocence Project is a non-profit, public interest law firm dedicated to exonerating those who have been convicted of crimes they did not commit and preventing innocent people from being convicted. That mission is coupled with a twofold educational mission: training law students and practicing lawyers to recognize and litigate valid innocence claims; and raising the consciousness of lawmakers and citizens about the systemic causes of wrongful convictions and the ways of safeguarding against them.
Position Summary:
The Paralegal will support Project staff attorneys as they prepare for hearings, appeals, and other litigation. The Paralegal will also work closely with the Project’s Intake Attorney to support our case intake processes and volunteer management. In addition, the Paralegal will have a key role in helping to maintain the Project’s case and document management system, including updating our database, obtaining records, and organizing files.
The Project’s Paralegal will have the opportunity to participate in weekly staff meetings, audit the Project’s seminars for law students participating in clinical education programs, observe hearings, and attend continuing education programs related to criminal justice issues.
This position is based in Philadelphia but supports both our Pittsburgh and Philadelphia offices. Given the uncertain nature of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Paralegal can work remotely for now but would ideally be able to come into the office in Philadelphia once a week. However, once it is safe to do so, all staff are expected to work in the office and occasional travel may be required.
This is designed to be a two-year position with flexibility to discuss a longer commitment.
Specific Responsibilities:
Case Management and Assistance
maintaining and updating case management databases;
assisting with file and document management;
obtaining records from courts, police, prior counsel, and other agencies;
compiling exhibits and materials for hearings;
helping with court filings, including formatting and cite checking;
scheduling legal calls and visits; and
responding to correspondence
Volunteer Management
assisting the Intake Attorney with:
volunteer communication,
volunteer training (including updating training materials),
volunteer case assignment, and
volunteer tracking
recruiting new interns each semester, including posting positions, reviewing applications, and helping to interview candidates.
Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will have excellent organizational and interpersonal skills, enjoy working in a fast-paced but collegial non-profit environment, and have a dedication to social justice. The ideal candidate also has strong written and verbal communication skills, acute attention to detail, can balance multiple assignments and deadlines, works well with others, and is self-motivated. Spanish language skills are a plus.
Necessary IT skills include use of word processing, Power Point, spreadsheets, and PDF software, and familiarity with cloud-based data storage sites, such as Dropbox and Google Drive. We also require the candidate to have a willingness to learn case management database software.
Degree from an accredited community college, college, or university preferred, but not required.
The Pennsylvania Innocence Project is committed to ensuring our staff reflect the clients and communities we serve. We strongly encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply for this position. In your cover letter we invite you to tell us how your unique background and/or experiences can contribute to the diversity, vitality, and cultural perspective of our staff, clients, and case work.
Salary: $40,000, with benefits.
To Apply: Please apply via the following link by July 1, 2021: https://templeuniversity.applytojob.com/apply/R2iFotQP2k/Paralegal-With-Pennsylvania-Innocence-Project
Please attach:
Cover letter
Resume
School transcript (optional)
Writing sample
3 References (names and contact information, including at least one non-academic contact, e.g., employer, internship supervisor etc.)
The Pennsylvania Innocence Project is an equal opportunity employer. The Project does not discriminate in the selection of employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
The post Paralegal – Pennsylvania Innocence Project appeared first on The Innocence Network.