Bilingual Legal Assistant, End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin - RISE Law Center
RISE Law Center of End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin is a nonprofit multilingual law office which provides direct representation to immigrants and refugees in immigration and family law, as well as protection orders. Full family law assistance is offered in the southeastern part of Wisconsin with limited representation throughout the State. Immigration services are offered statewide. The majority of their work is pro bono. When pro bono services aren't available due to grant restrictions, RISE Law Center offers low fee services.
Position:
The RISE Law Center Bilingual Legal Assistant supports the activities of a busy non-profit law office that serves primarily underrepresented populations, particularly immigrant and refugee survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual assault. Using a trauma informed and culturally humble lens, the bilingual legal assistant performs a broad range of duties including training and supervision of non-attorney interns, volunteers and legal assistants, case management, assisting attorneys in client meetings, drafting legal paperwork, translating documents and clerical, reception and administrative. The Bilingual Legal Assistant works directly with survivors, attorneys, judges and court personnel, law students, interns, community organizations, and domestic violence and sexual assault agencies. This position is also responsible for managing general office operations and procedures. This is a confidential position requiring a high degree of professionalism, confidentiality, and sensitivity. This is an exempt, full-time position.
Responsibilities:
- Manage assigned projects and research legal issues
- Participate in the recruitment, training and supervision of non-attorney interns, volunteers, and legal assistants
- Provide high-level case management, including:
- Decisions on acceptance or denial of representation,
- Decisions on pro bono versus fee-for-services,
- Preparation and review of immigration applications,
- Preparation and review of Motions, Affidavits and Orders, and
- Billing and accounting.
- Manage office calendars, coordinate, and schedule meetings and court hearings
- Draft legal documents for review by attorneys, and correspondence to courts, clients, attorneys and other legal agencies and legal documents
- Translate legal documents, forms, and correspondence from English to Spanish and Spanish to English and review translations from others for accuracy
- Answer multi-line telephone, take messages including voicemail, perform screening for legal issues, answer inquiries and make referrals when appropriate
- Greet clients and guests and assist with and/or conduct client interviews and meetings, including interpreting during meetings, conducting meetings in Spanish, reviewing, and signing retainers, collecting payment, and completing and reviewing legal documents with clients
- Distribute incoming mail and prepare outgoing mail daily, ensure time sensitive mail is sent out accordingly
- Organize and maintain paper and electronic files, including copying and scanning, opening, and closing out client files
- Maintain a clean, safe, and neat workplace including general office organization and light cleaning duties
Qualifications:
- Must be able to speak English and Spanish in person and over the phone. Must read and write English and Spanish, and translate English to Spanish and Spanish to English accurately (professional proficiency).
- Valid driver’s license, insurance, and access to a safe reliable private vehicle
- Highly organized, detail oriented, able to prioritize, and enjoys a fast-paced environment
- Works well independently and is able to meet deadlines
- Works effectively and compassionately as part of a team
- Has a high degree of professionalism and a strong sense of ethics
- Ability to weigh circumstances of individual clients and exercise judgment in the best interest of the clients and the team
- Ability to discern issues related to organizational structure and development using a social justice lens
- Proficiency in typing, data entry, and general computer skills
How to Apply:
If you wish to apply for this position, please submit a complete application package, including:
- A current resume;
- A one-page cover letter;
- A one-page, double spaced essay describing your understanding of domestic abuse;
- End Abuse Employment Application form (signed)
Send your completed application package by email to: apply@endabusewi.org
For full consideration, please apply by 5PM CST on Friday, November 26th, 2021.