About CELJ:
Center for Elder Law & Justice (CELJ) is a civil legal services organization fighting for justice, primarily for low-income older adults, in 10 counties in Western New York. Our attorneys stop illegal evictions, save clients homes from foreclosure, put a stop to elder domestic violence, fight for public benefits, work with our local immigrant & refugee populations, and represent grandparents and other kinship care relatives in custody and neglect petitions in family court. We also advocate for system-wide policy changes, commenting frequently on changes to regulations and working with local elected leaders on legislation that will impact the poor and vulnerable older adults in our area. We believe that independence and dignity are the hallmarks of justice.
Job Description:
CELJ is looking to strengthen our long-standing MedLaw Partnership, integrate legal and social services into health care settings, and increase the number of LGBTQI+ individuals receiving services. Faced with a history of discrimination, many LGBTQI+ adults find themselves disproportionally affected by poverty, housing insecurity, lack of access to culturally competent health care services, and social isolation.
To combat these realities, CELJ created a civil legal services initiative for LGBTQI+ adults. Through this program, CELJ provides targeted outreach, tailored educational content and programming, and full-service representation in some of the following areas: advance planning (Power of Attorney, Health Care Proxy, and Last Will & Testament documents); name and gender marker changes; discrimination complaint advice; and long-term care resident advocacy.
The staff paralegal will direct civil legal services to LGBTQI+ clients, with practice areas including housing, consumer, substituted decision making matters, elder law, public benefits, and more. They will consult and train medical providers to identify common legal issues and develop collaborative working relationships with medical staff.
Essential Functions:
- Paralegal is responsible for contact with potential clients, screening for immediate needs, and direct client contact throughout the case.
- Paralegal will be required to engage in local travel between, including home visits, visits at skilled nursing or assisted living facilities, and work within hospital settings. This may include travel amongst different counties.
- Paralegal is required to engage in LGBTQI+ targeted outreach events and participate in cultivating strong relationships with LGBTQI+ focused community-based organizations in WNY.
- This position reports to the MedLaw attorney(s) in the unit.
- Should demonstrate strong listening skills and patience with clients, knowledge of community resources and working closely with attorneys on creative solutions to cases.
Preferred Qualifications:
- 2-5 years of experience
- Highly motivated and passionate about public service work, with sensitivity to those in crisis
- College degree, or equivalent paralegal experience required, paralegal certificate helpful
- Excellent writing, speaking and organizational skills and the ability to communicate effectively with clients, healthcare providers, community organizations, attorneys, and the public
- Ability to work efficiently and accurately while exhibiting patience and diplomacy
- Legal services background helpful
CELJ offers competitive benefits and compensation package, including:
- Generous vacation and sick time
- Employer covered health, dental & vision
- Fourteen holidays a year, plus two half-day holidays
- Summer hours between Memorial Day and Labor Day
- Payment of license fees and association dues
- Encouragement of professional development
Salary starting at $43,816, based on experience and alignment with steps in union scale.
To Apply: Send cover letter and resume to HR Manager, Chandler Jones, Cjones@elderjusticeny.org
CELJ is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Employer recruits without regard to sex, race, sexual orientation, or gender identity, and any such candidates are strongly encouraged to apply
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