SUMMARY: 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.
Bilingual Legal Assistant
Application deadline: June 30, 2022
Employer: End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin - RISE Law Center
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
Primary 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:
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- 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
- Demonstrate professional proficiency in Spanish and English
- 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
Minimum Qualifications:
- Must be able to speak English and Spanish (professional proficiency) 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
- Comfortable with technology and other office equipment such as copiers, postage machines and fax machines
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Programs including Word, Excel and Outlook, Office 365 and SharePoint
Preferred Qualifications:
- Comfortable both taking initiative and direction
- Ability to research and analyze with an attention to detail
- Legal experience a plus
- Prior experience working with immigrant and refugee populations is also preferred
This is a permanent full-time position. The position starts at $44,000 annually commensurate with experience. Benefits include health insurance, dental insurance, vision, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage, an employee assistance program, a sabbatical program and generous paid vacation, holidays and sick leave.
End Abuse honors the dignity and welfare of all its staff and supports a healthy work-life balance.
Agency responsibilities
It is the responsibility of every End Abuse employee to uphold the mission and vision of this agency. End Abuse works to advance the principle that all people have the right to a life free of oppression and violence. We work to foster change in our economic, social and political systems and bring leadership expertise and best practices to Wisconsin domestic abuse programs and communities engaged in ending domestic violence. All employees of End Abuse are expected to engage in regular participation in End Abuse activities such as campaigns, awareness activities, training, and other events. This could include, but is not limited to, sharing information with networks, staffing events, assisting in planning or other logistics, outreach to supporters and/or donors as needed.
It is also an expectation that on the individual level all staff members will work to further their personal capacity to foster an environment of cultural inclusivity and sensitivity that is the foundation for all our work.
The Bilingual Legal Assistant is working toward social legal justice for immigrant and refugee survivors of domestic and sexual abuse. It is important that the bilingual legal assistant is self-motivated and enjoys setting and meeting goals (achiever); is a problem-solver who can identify the cause of issues that arise and quickly find solutions (restorative); and can effectively listen to clients and explain complex legal issues in a way that makes sense to and holds the client’s attention (communication).
This description is intended to indicate the kinds of duties and levels of work difficulty that will be required and should not be construed as specifying what all the duties and responsibilities of a particular position shall be.
Application instructions
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 spaces essay describing your understanding of domestic abuse;
Send your completed application package by email to: apply@endabusewi.org
We will be accepting applications on a rolling basis and offering interviews on a first-come, first-served basis to qualified applicants as their applications are received. The position is open until filled.
End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to arrest or conviction, race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, or veteran status. We encourage applicants with disabilities who may need accommodations in the application process to contact the Operations Manager, Angie Trudell Vasquez at angietv@endabusewi.org or by calling 608-255-0539 x 303.
Application deadline: June 30, 2022
Sorry, we are no longer accepting applications for this position.