Paralegal- Appellate Team

Youth, Rights & Justice, an innovative nonprofit juvenile public defense provider based in Portland, Oregon, is seeking an experienced paralegal/legal assistant to join our appellate team! 

Founded in 1975, YRJ is widely recognized as a leader in juvenile law in Oregon. We provide court-appointed representation of children, youth, and parents involved in the foster care and juvenile justice systems'”in both the trial and appellate courts. We also represent individual children and youth in school-related special education and discipline matters. 

On a larger scale, we work to improve the systems impacting our clients through education, legislative and administrative advocacy, class action litigation, publications, and training other lawyers and community partners. The clients we serve are racially and culturally diverse and from low-income families. Some are living with disabilities, and many are recovering from trauma. The children we serve are experiencing abuse and neglect. The parents we serve include those who are former foster youth and are struggling to keep their families together. 

Youth, Rights & Justice offers a competitive benefits package, including 15 days of vacation annually (increases to 20 days after two years); eight hours paid self-care time each month; paid sick and holiday time; medical, dental and vision plans with majority employer-paid premium for employee; a wellness stipend; matching 401K retirement benefits and more. 

We encourage diverse applicants and are aware of research indicating that many women and BIPOC individuals hesitate to apply if they don't fully match all listed qualifications. We encourage you to consider this opportunity holistically and we commit to evaluating candidates for this opportunity holistically.

Status Classification: Regular full-time; non-exempt (hourly)

Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm

Reports to: Supervising Attorney, Appeals

Salary Range: $45,600-$64,296

Summary: Paralegal to assist attorneys with Oregon appellate cases and other office needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Open and prepare new appeals cases following office intake.
2. Prepare and e-file legal documents, including, but not limited to, motions, notices, and affidavits, as requested by the attorney.
3. Assemble, proofread, format and file appellate briefs and petitions.
4. Calendar important due dates; schedule appointments, arguments and other meetings for attorneys in the attorney calendars.
5. Assist in maintaining client contact by preparing form letters at each stage in the appellate process.
6. Help to locate clients who change addresses and contact information frequently throughout the duration of a case.
7. Work with other professionals to obtain trial court files, exhibits, and transcripts, and occasionally to correct errors or omissions in those documents (under attorney supervision).
8. Maintain electronic files for each appeal case for YRJ.
9. Respond to clients in a manner that is professional, timely, and ethical.
10. Meet regularly with assigned attorneys.
11. Assist with office needs including but not limited to coverage for other office staff, as needed.
12. Develop community resources and contacts and positive working relationships with other professionals in the community.
13. Utilize various computer programs to enter, maintain and access case files, calendaring and other information as needed.
14. Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
'¢ Some college, legal training, or law office experience preferred.
'¢ Knowledge and experience using current or recent versions of Microsoft Windows, Adobe, Outlook, MS Office or similar applications, including email, web browsing, word processing, database and spreadsheet software.
'¢ Strong organizational skills and adaptability skills and resourcefulness.
'¢ Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills with high attention to detail.
'¢ Strong communication skills and willingness to ask questions.
'¢ Ability to prioritize tasks and manage tasks with competing deadlines on a daily basis.
'¢ Ability to exercise good judgment and tact as well as maintain a professional demeanor when communicating with clients, the public, court personnel,   social service agencies and YRJ staff.
'¢ Ability to learn and use new computer software and databases.
'¢ Comfortable with using technology.
'¢ Commitment to the mission of YRJ.

Preferred Qualifications:
'¢ Paralegal work in the Oregon appellate system and at least 2 years of relevant experience.
'¢ Knowledge of the Oregon Rules of Appellate Procedure.
'¢ Commitment to continued professional development to strengthen capacity to work through an equity lens for equity and racial justice.
'¢ Personal lived/living experience with child welfare or juvenile justice system, or of systemic inequity/oppression/or its root causes.

Work Environment:
'¢ YRJ has a hybrid office model, with the option to work remotely and in the office as needed. Schedule to be determined with supervisor following an extended training period upon hiring.

Applications & Hiring Timeline:
'¢ To apply, please send a one-page cover letter and resume to: ally.h@youthrightsjustice.org
'¢ Applications will be reviewed as they come in starting the week of August 12. We anticipate scheduling the first round of interviews the week of August 26.
'¢ Position will remain open until filled.