Victim Rights Center of CT (VRCCT) Paralegal

Mission:

The Alliance is the statewide coalition of sexual assault crisis service programs working to end sexual violence through victim assistance, community education, and public policy advocacy. The mission of The Alliance is to prevent sexual violence in Connecticut and foster a statewide network of support for victims and survivors. The Alliance envisions a world in which every person is doing their part to prevent sexual violence, every member center has the resources they need to serve their communities, and every survivor has support.

Summary:

Under the supervision of the VRCCT Program Director, the VRCCT Paralegal will provide paralegal assistance and support to the VRCCT Legal Team.

The VRCCT Paralegal is a full-time position with benefits.

Essential Functions:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Conduct thorough research on statutes, case law, regulations, and legal precedents to support attorneys in case strategy and preparation.
• Draft & file legal documents, including but not limited to appearances, pleadings, affidavits, interrogatories, briefs, and prepare court forms
• Draft & send emails, letters, memorandums to clients on behalf of their attorneys
• Regularly monitor and maintain attorneys’ case files, ensuring that all attorneys notes are scanned in and saved and all documents are saved and organized appropriately
• Receive, process, and file all documents received from clients, court, other parties, and attorneys
• Track critical deadlines and manage attorneys’ calendars daily, paying special attention to scheduling consultations, client meetings, court dates, following up with court clerks to confirm court dates, updating calendars when continuances are granted, and managing closed cases and file retrieval
• Manage correspondence with clients, other counsel of record, the court, and any other communications that come in via phone call, email, USPS mail, or fax
• Manage VRCCT intakes/ referral account and general email account, Google Voice account, and fax line (including downloading all forms/communications, saving them appropriately in SharePoint, Legal Files, and safeguarding the integrity of our confidentiality regulations)
• Coordinate with attorneys, clients, courts, and third parties to ensure deadlines are not missed
• Interview clients and witnesses, for the purpose of gathering essential information and summarize findings for attorney review prior to attorney meeting with clients/witnesses
• Schedule meetings with clients, state’s attorneys, police departments, and reserving meeting spaces/ creating virtual meeting invitation and sending to all parties
• Enter required data in Legal Files System and maintain up to date Legal Files entries
• Attend weekly, all-program staff case conferences
• Attend bi-monthly staff meetings at The Alliance
• Attend monthly one-on-one supervision with the Program Director
• Work collaboratively with other service providers and program partners to apply a multidisciplinary and victim-centered approach to cases
• Attend meetings, trainings and site visits with other agencies and programs of the Alliance
• Work sensitively with individuals who have experienced trauma

Education:

The ideal candidate must have at least one of the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies
• Graduate certificate in paralegal studies
• Completed a paralegal program consisting of at least 60 semester hours, 15 of which must be in “substantive legal courses”
• Completed a paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association (ABA)
• Associate in paralegal studies

In addition to the above a candidate should possess:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Proficient computer skills and experience, preferably with Word, Excel, Outlook, and Legal Files
• Excellent organization and time-management skills
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Ability to initiate and follow through on projects with a minimum of supervision
• Willing to learn about the broad spectrum of legal needs of crime victims

Qualifications:

• Proficient computer skills and experience including data entry, utilization of software including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, Legal Files, Adobe Acrobat, Zoom, and internet/email required
• Ability to work with diverse populations in a team environment while also working independently
• Bilingual abilities are preferred, but not required
• Ability to initiate and follow through on projects including the timely updating and maintaining of data and records
• Demonstrated ability to react to change productively, manage multiple tasks and proactively resolve conflicts
• Experience working with trauma survivors and/or underserved populations
• Willingness to learn about the broad spectrum of legal needs of crime victims
• Excellent written and oral communication, interpersonal, time management skills
• Valid driver’s license and vehicle required

Work Environment:

This job operates in a professional office environment in East Hartford, CT

Travel:

The position requires regular in-state travel, although some out-of-the-area and overnight travel may be expected.

Benefits Include:

• Valid driver’s license and vehicle required
• Four weeks vacation
• Four personal days
• Twelve holidays
• Medical and dental benefits, with premium for employee paid by The Alliance
• Life insurance
• 401(k) Retirement plan
• Flexible/remote work options

Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence is committed to maintaining a non-discriminatory, diverse, and dynamic work environment. As such, Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence is an equal employment opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. All applicants will be considered solely on the basis of their qualifications.