Employment
Openings for Attorneys and Paralegals!
Virginia Legal Aid Society helps thousands of low-income families in south-central Virginia every year by providing high-quality legal assistance in problems involving housing, personal safety, access to health care, family stability, education, and consumer lending. Founded in 1977, VLAS is a sophisticated and tech-forward nonprofit law firm with five offices, three program-wide practice groups, an intake/advice unit, and a staff of 53; all operate together as one firm.
FT STAFF OR PT PRIVATE ATTORNEYS:
VLAS seeks a full-time or several part-time attorneys for our eight-person offices in Danville and Suffolk, vibrant cities respectively on the Dan River in the rolling hills of the Virginia Piedmont and on the Chesapeake Bay in Western Tidewater with a variety of recreation and cultural opportunities. The attorney(s) will help implement VLAS advocacy and community engagement for the cities and nearby jurisdictions. Please review River District Association Danville VA and Home | Visit Suffolk Virginia regarding the cities in which the office is located.
Applicants for either location should be admitted; eligible for admission as an out of state attorney (attorneys with 2 years practice in other states can practice for legal aid in VA without exam), or eligible for the next examination. Spanish-speaking ability is a plus. The salary is $66,280 + DOE for full-time and an equivalent hourly rate for part-time, and VLAS offers an excellent benefit package including a state-wide LRAP for full-time work. EOE. To apply, send a cover letter, resume and references to applications@vlas.org and specify the office for which you would like to be considered. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
PARALEGAL, FARMVILLE:
VLAS is seeking a motivated, hard-working, and organized paralegal to support our mid-sized Farmville office. This is an exciting and fast-paced full time position that involves screening clients; maintaining case files and calendars; providing litigation support both in and out of court; and drafting and typing a wide variety of legal items. A paralegal in this position will be able to provide support that makes real impacts in the lives of low-income members of the community while working in a supportive office environment staffed with other professionals committed to improving the lives of those in poverty.
VLAS is a family-friendly employer that provides work-life balance (37.5-hour weeks; paid holidays; generous vacation and sick time), excellent benefits (medical, dental, vision insurance; 403b with employer contributions; and more), and most importantly, the opportunity to do good in your community.
General Responsibilities: Under the direction of the Managing Attorney, the incumbent in this job provides support to the attorneys both inside and outside the courtroom. The paralegal is responsible for investigating upcoming court dockets and researching possible defenses for representation. The paralegal may be responsible for providing litigation support to multiple attorneys. The goal of this position is to provide litigation support leading to the efficient operations of the regional office to ensure that the goals and objectives of VLAS are maintained.
Compensation: Employment classification: Full-time permanent employee not exempt from the wage and hour provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Hiring salary range: $39,319 or above depending upon experience. Benefits include health, dental, life and disability insurance; paid sick and vacation leave.
Application Instructions: To apply, send cover letter, resume, and reference list to applicationsfvl@vlas.org with Farmville Paralegal in the subject line. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
VLAS is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions including lactation, or any other consideration prohibited by law.
LITIGATION PARALEGAL, DANVILLE:
Virginia Legal Aid Society, Inc. (VLAS) seeks an energetic, creative, and organized paralegal to support attorneys in our Danville regional office. The right candidate will be friendly, hard-working, detail oriented, highly organized, and must be comfortable working in a variety of settings and with a wide range of people and the public. VLAS offers a competitive salary and great benefits. The position starts immediately.
General Responsibilities: Under the direction of the Managing Attorney, a VLAS Litigation Paralegal provides support to attorneys and clients throughout the representation process. Duties include client interviews, investigation, document management, case management, legal analysis, and legal advice. Extensive interaction with clients, the public, and the courts is expected. The position primarily involves work in the Danville office.
Duties: The Paralegal will, under the supervision of an attorney: 1) Interview clients to establish facts, concerns and requests for services (may be performed in person or by telephone contact); 2) Complete client intake paperwork and gather necessary documents; 3) Conduct investigations to establish facts of the case; 4) Locate and interview witnesses; 5) Locate, obtain, catalog, and manage documents and physical evidence; 6) Interact with partner agencies to obtain information, services and referrals; 7) Exchange information with clients about solutions and/or courses of action to solve problems; 8) Respond to client requests for information; 9) Provide information where applicable on other agency services and benefits; 10) Draft written documents; 11) Research governmental and agency regulations applicable to the case; 12) Provide assistance to staff attorneys in case preparation; 13) Complete time and activity reports for funding sources; 14) Follow VLAS case-handling procedures, including VLAS Standards for Legal Work, file maintenance procedures, and maintenance of client confidentiality; 15) Attend and actively participate in training events and task force meetings; 16) Develop and perform community outreach and education; 17) Interact with the public and court personnel; 18) Make referrals to other appropriate service providers; and 19) Perform other duties as assigned by the Managing Attorney.
Required Skills and/or Experience: Associate Degree, Paralegal Certificate, or 2-3 years of relevant experience
To apply, send cover letter, resume, and reference list to applications@vlas.org. VLAS offers a competitive salary and benefits package. Position will remain open until filled.