Paralegal

LEGAL ACTION OF WISCONSIN, INC: Legal Action of Wisconsin, Inc. (Legal Action) is a non-profit law firm funded by the Legal Services Corporation, the Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation, and other sources. Legal Action provides civil legal aid to low-income persons in the southern 39 counties of Wisconsin. To serve its eligible client population, Legal Action maintains full-time offices in Milwaukee, Madison, Racine, Oshkosh, Green Bay, and La Crosse. In addition, Legal Action operates a statewide farmworkers’ project. Legal Action attorneys have expertise in a range of substantive areas, but most direct representation is in the areas of housing, income maintenance, family law, consumer, and barriers to employment law. Staff attorneys are expected to maintain a direct service caseload on behalf of individual and group clients, as well as to engage in law reform litigation and other impact work. Attorneys are expected to specialize in specific areas of poverty law.

 

 

OSHKOSH AREA OFFICE: The Oshkosh office staff currently consists of eleven attorneys, two paralegals (one part-time current paralegal and one full-time to be hired via this announcement), and a technology and communications manager. The Oshkosh office serves Adams, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Marquette, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Sheboygan, Washington, Waushara, and Winnebago Counties.  

 

A.    The paralegal’s primary responsibility is performing receptionist duties in a professional and efficient manner. These duties include:

 

·       answering phones;

·       routing calls;

·       taking messages;

 

 

·       scheduling appointments;

·       conducting eligibility screenings;

·       making proper referrals; and

·       communicating with clients as requested by attorney and other paralegal staff.

 

B.    The paralegal will also assist attorneys by drafting pleadings and conducting legal research, under their direction. 

 

C.   The paralegal will do clerical tasks such as:

·       filing;

·       processing mail;

·       creating case files; and

·       ordering office supplies. 

 

D.   In order to make appropriate legal and non-legal referrals, the paralegal will acquire and then apply knowledge of Legal Action services and of community resources.

 

 

·       Formal paralegal training and/or experience is required.

·       Required administrative skills:

o  proficiency with software;

o  knowledge of Microsoft Word, Outlook email and calendars, and legal research tools; and

o  ability to skillfully operate office equipment including multifunction printer, mailing equipment, business telephone system, and fax machine. 

·       Experience or training in drafting pleadings and conducting legal research, under the direction of an attorney, or a demonstrated ability to learn such tasks is required.

·       Strong interpersonal communication skills (oral and written) are required to deal with clients, staff, and the general public.

·       An ability to exercise judgment in implementing established policies and procedures, maintaining client files, and protecting client confidentiality is required.

·       This position requires effective organizational and multitasking skills to effectively manage competing priorities and constant interruptions (i.e. phone calls, walk-in clients, etc.). 

·       Applicants must have demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with others. 

·       An ability to speak Spanish or Hmong is helpful but not required.

 

Applicants without these qualifications must be prepared to acquire such skills and receive training during the six-month probationary period. 

Applicants should send pdf of:

• résumé, 

• cover letter, and 

• a list of three references familiar with their work.  

Email to: oshkoshparalegal@legalaction.org.