Paralegal

Company: Ohio Justice and Policy Center
Location: Cincinnati
Posted on: November 27, 2022

Job Description:

*Job Opening: Paralegal*

*THE OHIO JUSTICE & POLICY CENTER*

215 E. 9th St., Ste. 601, Cincinnati, 45202 360 S. Third St., Columbus, 43215 513-421-1108 *ohiojpc.org*

*ABOUT OJPC*

The Ohio Justice & Policy Center is a nonprofit public interest law firm that creates fair, intelligent, and redemptive criminal justice systems. We achieve our mission through client-centered advocacy, innovative policy reform, and cross-sector community education. We focus our energies primarily on reducing the number of incarcerated people, protecting rights of incarcerated people, and helping people with criminal records to fully contribute to their communities. We have offices in Cincinnati and
Columbus, OH, and our work is statewide.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, our staff has worked remotely, with the option for staff members to work in our socially distanced offices if they prefer. We plan to continue to offer remote work options to employees for the duration of the pandemic.

*What We Are Looking For*

*OJPC is seeking a full-time Paralegal, to work on site five days a week in our Cincinnati office and onsite at partner locations as needed. *We seek to hire a hardworking, motivated paralegal who will support the work of OJPC attorneys on the organization's Second Chance and Human Rights in Prison projects but also cross train to assist with the Beyond Guilt project.

*About Our Work*

Our Second Chance project focuses on removing legal barriers caused by criminal charges and/or convictions. Our services include direct client representation for clients seeking record sealing, safe harbor expungements, certificates for qualifications of employment ("CQE") and conducting outreach to educate employers and the community on barriers created by criminal records.

Beyond Guilt seeks to free over-punished people who demonstrate rehabilitation and has liberated over twenty-five incarcerated people in Ohio since March 2019. The paralegal we want to hire will help us identify even more people deserving of their freedom and will assist Beyond Guilt attorneys in securing their release.

Human Rights in Prison seeks to ensure that incarcerated individuals have access to adequate medical treatment, freedom from excessive force from prison staff, the right to practice one's religion and fair treatment for LGBT prisoners.

*Essential Functions*

1. Working under the supervision of project attorneys, create new client case files from walk-in intakes, inquiries via 2nd chance email, clinics, and phone. Enter all data into OJPC case management system for appropriate tracking and reporting of case work.

2. Work with attorneys to issue spot other legal barriers and make appropriate referrals as needed.

3. Assist with document collection including charging documents, costs bills, sentencing entries, police reports, and other documents necessary for client representation.

4. Only as directed and guided by an attorney, draft legal correspondence, and file according to appropriate procedures.

5. Aid as needed with helping the attorneys prepare clients and documents for hearings.

6. Conduct legal research using Lexis Nexis and other legal research tools to analyze relevant statutes and case law.

The successful applicant must be willing to meet with incarcerated people, all of whom have been convicted of serious and/or violent crimes and should be able to work with the project attorneys to help tell client stories. The successful applicant must also be able to embrace the tedium of working through a backlog of more than one thousand cases to assist the project attorneys decide whom to represent.

*COMPETENCIES*

- Bachelor's degree

- Effectively manage time and tasks, re-evaluate priorities, and adjust assignments as necessary to meet deadlines.

- Always maintain professional demeanor and acts in accordance with the office values

- Excellent communication skills; both oral and written

- Proactively identify systemic issues and solutions impacting client services.

- Prior experience working with impacted communities a plus but not required

- Knowledge of local, state, or federal criminal and/or civil court proceedings or the ability to acquire this knowledge quickly is a plus.

- Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite

*DETAILS ABOUT THE POSITION*

Salary range is $43K to $47K, based on experience and qualifications. Competitive benefits package including 27 PTO days, PTO carryover and PTO Sharing; parental leave; thirteen paid holidays, plus an annual winter break between Christmas and New Year's; Flextime; Health, vision, and dental insurance; Simple IRA with corporate matching; membership in professional associations; corporate support for professional training and professional exams.

We are accepting applications now, and we would like to hire as soon as possible.

OJPC is an equal opportunity employer. People from marginalized groups - that is, those who have experienced systemic exclusion based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or sexual orientation - are strongly encouraged to apply. Returning citizens and people who have been personally affected by the criminal legal system are also strongly encouraged to apply.

*HOW TO APPLY*

Send a re--sume-- and cover letter to OJPC's Operations Manager, Laura Beverly

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $43,000.00 - $47,000.00 per year

Benefits:
* 401(k)
* 401(k) matching
* Dental insurance
* Employee assistance program
* Flexible schedule
* Health insurance
* Life insurance
* Paid time off
* Retirement plan
* Vision insurance
Schedule:
* Monday to Friday

Work Location: One location%58047475%

Keywords: Ohio Justice and Policy Center, Cincinnati , Paralegal, Other , Cincinnati, Ohio