Pine Tree Legal Assistance

Family Law and Victim Rights (FL/VR) Paralegal

Location: Portland; Hybrid remote

Pine Tree legal Assistance has an opening for a Portland-based Family Law and Victim Rights (FLVR) paralegal! The paralegal is responsible for handling intake with clients, providing litigation support to attorneys in the Family Law unit, and addressing the legal needs of victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. The position is based in Portland and is structured to support the statewide Family Law and Victim Rights (FLVR) Unit as one of a team of three paralegals. Case acceptance decisions are made by the unit as a whole, consistent with Pine Tree’s priorities and specific grant requirements, which may change over time.

On a weekly basis, the paralegal spends up to 22 hours/week responding to requests for legal help from victims of interpersonal violence who are primarily referred through a special referral system with advocacy agency partners. The paralegal will also support our general intake system, including by conducting intakes by phone, through referrals, from “walk ins,” online, through messages from people who speak languages other than English as needed, and otherwise upon request by the Director of Intake. Intake responsibilities include initial contact with a client within 1-2 days of receiving the referral, client interviews, eligibility screening, contemporaneous computerized data entry of clients in the case management system, and the provision of legal information and referrals when appropriate.

The Family Law and Victim Rights (FLVR) paralegal is also responsible for working with FLVR unit supervisors to prioritize and appropriately document cases handled pursuant to specific funding sources, including prioritizing tracking time and appropriately attributing time spent to specific cases. Under attorney supervision, the paralegal will also provide legal assistance to eligible clients, including client counseling and negotiations with opposing parties and opposing counsel. The paralegal will also provide general litigation support to the attorneys in the Portland office and other attorneys in the FLVR unit as needed. General litigation support includes work with clients to gather appropriate authorizations or records, drafting pleadings and other documents, filing and requesting copies of documents at court, scheduling interpreters and requesting translation of documents, attendance at court dockets as needed, developing and maintaining relationships with court personnel, agency staff, and other professionals, organization of evidence and discovery documents, and service of subpoenas.

In addition, the Family Law and Victim Rights (FLVR) paralegal provides support with various office duties, which may include maintenance of office revolving funds and client escrow accounts, ordering of office supplies and other facilities issues, such as handling mail, facilitating trash pick-up, and maintenance issues. A strong facility with computers and technology, and the ability to work in a browser-based environment is increasingly important to all staff at Pine Tree. 

General work expectations:

• Handle all legal work in accordance with Pine Tree’s written Standards of Practice, Legal Services Corporation regulations, other funder requirements, and other relevant ethical and professional responsibilities;
• Maintain accurate and contemporaneous timekeeping and client recordkeeping for all work activities;
• Address administrative responsibilities as a Pine Tree employee in a prompt and thorough manner (including payroll and reimbursement requests, as well as grant inquiries and other funder needs);
• Demonstrates advanced interpersonal and advocacy skills in working with clients in crisis, time management, the particular dynamics of domestic violence and sexual assault, and seeks ongoing training and professional development specific to working with victims of interpersonal violence;
• Actively participates and contributes to regular case meetings, and other office discussions;
• Uses effective communication skills with potential clients (including those with limited English or who face other communication barriers) and treats all clients and potential clients with respect;
• Maintains a professional demeanor with both internal and external stakeholders, including Pine Tree colleagues, outside agencies and groups, opposing parties, opposing counsel and other participants in the civil justice system;
• Observes the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct and takes personal responsibility for one’s actions, consistent with PTLA Core Values;
• Develops general familiarity with legal rights important to intake duties and utilizes training opportunities that will strengthen individual performance and job skills on an ongoing basis;
• Contributes to and maintain Pine Tree’s high standards for excellence, support colleagues in their work, and otherwise act in accordance with Pine Tree’s Statement of Core Values.

Specific work expectations:

• Provide professional support in response to an estimated 500 to 600 requests/year;
• Provide outreach to area organizations and collaborations that work with victims in the service area in order to promote increased enforcement of legal rights and appropriate referrals to Pine Tree Legal Assistance, especially in areas involving family law, domestic violence, sexual assault, and other areas that reflect significant unmet needs within local communities;
• Accurately maintain and manage the office / project client escrow account and/or revolving fund account (where appropriate);
• As needed by the office or project, prepare and serve subpoenas, routine pleadings, file and manage case documents;
• Work with FLVR and Administrative staff to manage grant deliverables, including assisting with reports, understanding the parameters of each funding stream, and appropriately prioritizing cases to meet deliverables;

Other Requirements:

Current appointment as a Maine Notary Public is preferred, but we will assist the right candidate to acquire this credential upon hire. Applicant must reside in, or be willing to relocate to, the state of Maine. This is a non-exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Compensation and Benefits:

The salary range for PTLA paralegals and other non-exempt staff is currently $50,330 - $72,330, depending on experience.

In addition, PTLA is proud to offer the following:

Employer-paid health insurance with a generous HRA contribution, generous health insurance opt-out benefit, employer-paid dental insurance, employer-paid life and disability insurance, and an annual contribution to a 403(b)-retirement plan. Other voluntary options include vision and expanded life insurance. Staff enjoy 12 paid holidays, paid parental leave, generous vacation, floating holidays, and sick leave.

Pine Tree Legal Assistance is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to employing and supporting individuals who are passionate about social justice and have relevant work experience, regardless of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, physical or mental disability, religion, familial status or experience with poverty, receipt of public assistance, or homelessness.