About Public Law Center

Founded in 1981, The Public Law Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free legal services to low-income residents in Orange County. Our services include counseling, individual representation, community education, and strategic policy advocacy and impact litigation to challenge societal injustices

About the role

PLC’s Housing and Homelessness Prevention Unit provides high quality direct representation, in addition to coordinating and supervising pro bono representation, of tenants in cases involving unlawful detainer, discrimination, subsidized housing disputes (including housing vouchers), affordable housing advocacy, and other issues related to housing in Orange County. The Unit also participates in community education, local and statewide advocacy, and community-based intake clinics.

The Public Law Center is seeking a skilled Paralegal or Administrative Assistant to support the Housing and Homelessness Prevention Unit with client intakes, case management, and legal document preparation. This role requires expertise in litigation support, client management, and ensuring efficient legal operations. The Paralegal/Administrative Assistant will collaborate with attorneys, other paralegals/administrative staff, and clients to provide quality legal services.

What you'll do

• Conduct initial client intakes, including legal issue-spotting, conflict check, and eligibility determination in eviction defense, discrimination, habitability, subsidized housing cases (including housing vouchers), and other issues arising in landlord/tenant relationships.
• Act as a point of contact for clients, ensuring professional and effective communication, including providing approved legal information or advice under an attorney’s supervision
• Maintain and organize legal documents, case files, time records, and client information, including case notes, ensuring data integrity and accessibility.
• Manage discovery processes, conduct investigation and fact gathering (including housing inspections), perform legal analysis, draft pleadings and legal forms, coordinate filings, mail and serve documents, and assist with attorney preparation for court proceedings.
• Prepare legal correspondence and other documents with precision and confidentiality.
• Prepare and conduct trainings and community presentations and otherwise assist with community outreach and education efforts.
• If bilingual, assist with interpretation and translation for staff and volunteer attorneys as needed.
• Provide general administrative and clerical support to the office, such as scanning and filing documents, assembling court filings, handling mail as needed.

Qualifications

• Education: Minimum high school diploma or GED (for paralegal title, depending on level of education, must have matching experience to meet definition of paralegal pursuant to California Business & Professions Code section 6450(c) to qualify for that title). Paralegal certificate or equivalent level of training preferred.
• Experience: 1 – 3 years of paralegal experience, with a strong background in litigation a plus.
• Skills:
  o   Proficiency in legal research databases (Westlaw)
  o   Strong writing and analytical skills
  o   Knowledge of litigation procedures
  o   Knowledge of landlord/tenant and other housing law is a plus
  o   High attention to detail and ability to manage multiple cases effectively
  o   Bilingual English/Spanish or English/Vietnamese a plus
• Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless the applicant has a valid medical reason for not being fully vaccinated or a sincerely held religious belief preventing vaccination
• Hybrid Position: Must be able to work from the office several days a week and able to work from home in a distraction-free and confidential environment.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Salary & Benefits

• Compensation dependent on experience; range of $25/hour to $29/hour (pay scale is calculated according to years of relevant work experience). 
• Competitive benefits provided for employees who work 30 or more hours per week, and for this position include:
• • Health, Dental, Vision, Disability, and Life Insurance (100% of employee premium costs paid by PLC, and 50% of dependent health insurance premium costs paid by PLC)
  • Flexible Spending Account Program to help pay for medical expenses and childcare costs
  • 15 paid holidays per year 
  • Approximately 1 paid week off during office winter closure (between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day)
  • 21 paid sick/wellness days per year to promote mental wellness and general wellbeing 
  • 15 paid vacation days per year 
  • Birthday paid time off (2 hours of paid time off during birthday month)
  • 403b retirement plan (after 6 months of employment PLC provides a matching contribution equaling 100% of salary deferral up to a maximum of 3-4%, depending on length of employment)
  • Monthly $55 stipend for Wi-Fi and cell phone use
  • Monthly Bilingual Pay Premium upon successful completion of an oral and/or written test ($50 for oral premium and $50 for written premium) 
  • Opportunities for growth and advancement 

Next Steps

Applicants progressing to the later stages of the interview process will be required to submit a writing sample to demonstrate their communication skills and expertise.

Public Law Center is dedicated to building a diverse team and fostering a fair and welcoming work environment. To view our complete DEI statement, please click here.

Public Law Center is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, please contact Public Law Center.

PLC will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with all legal requirements.

PLC regrets that it is unable to sponsor employment Visas or consider individuals on time-limited Visa status for this position.