Legal Assistant

Status: Full-time, exempt position

Reports to: Director of Administration & Community Engagement

Location: Newark, NJ (hybrid position, with 2 days per week in the VLJ office in Newark, NJ)

Regular work hours: 9-5 Monday-Thursday (VLJ operates a 4-day work week, and the office is closed on Fridays)

Compensation: Minimum salary of $50,000 commensurate with experience. Benefits include paid holidays and sick leave

Start date: July 1 (can be flexible)

About Volunteer Lawyers for Justice

Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) is a statewide civil legal services organization with the mission of ensuring access to justice for people experiencing poverty. VLJ fulfills its mission by mobilizing volunteers to work alongside staff to address critical legal needs across New Jersey, advancing racial, social, and economic justice.

VLJ is a women-led organization that has been a pro bono leader in New Jersey for 24 years. VLJ operates 8 distinct legal programs, employs 23 staff members, has an annual budget of $2.7 million, and has a panel of more than 1,600 volunteers. Common legal issues handled include eviction defense, debt relief, criminal record expungement, family law, legal name changes, education law, driver’s license restoration, immigration law, and estate planning. VLJ also provides holistic legal services to veterans, families in Newark’s South Ward, and survivors of human trafficking. More information about VLJ can be found at: www.vljnj.org.

VLJ’s power is in its people, with a mission-driven team that upholds the highest standards of professionalism. We expect staff to be thought leaders in their field and innovative program managers with an eye towards effectiveness and efficiency. We are a client-focused organization that prioritizes seamless services to the people we serve. We are committed to fostering open, honest, and inclusive dialogue and attribute transparent communication as a key to our organizational success.

Job Summary

The legal assistant will work closely with VLJ attorneys, directors, clients, and volunteers. The legal assistant will support 2-3 legal programs, managing a dynamic workload that includes both casework and program management tasks.

Duties will include:

• Providing high-quality services to applicants and clients (by phone, email, and in-person)
• Serving as the primary legal assistant on 2-3 legal programs, providing the administrative support to the VLJ staff attorneys on the program, working with volunteers, entering timely and accurate data into VLJ’s case management database, and ensuring seamless services for clients
• Conducting intake interviews to assess eligibility for service, analyzing the legal needs, scheduling appointments, and making recommendations to VLJ attorneys
• Managing client data, case documents, and case files, from initial intake to clinic appointment and/or case-placement
• Drafting correspondence to clients, staff, and external partners (i.e., volunteers, community organizations, etc.)
• Drafting legal documents/court pleadings
• Facilitating legal clinics (virtual and/or in-person) including scheduling clients, preparing case files, and providing day-of staffing and technology lead
• Utilizing client reports to ensure timely services, including intake of new applicants, service to current clients, and follow-up with former clients
• Performing administrative tasks vital to the smooth operation of the organization
• Staffing occasional community outreach, community education, volunteer training, and fundraising events for the organization
• Providing back-up assistance to the other members of the support staff team

Minimum Requirements

• Strong commitment and demonstrated passion for the mission and goals of VLJ; experience working in a non-profit setting is a plus
• A bachelor’s degree or 2 years of relevant work experience is required
• Sensitivity to the needs and problems of people experiencing poverty
• Excellent writing, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Fluency in Spanish is preferred
• Ability to work in a collaborative team model
• High level of independence, productivity, initiative, creativity, and good judgment
• Adherence to a high level of professionalism
• Candidates should be detail-oriented, have the ability to work both as part of a team and independently
• Ability to adapt to the changing needs of the organization
• Ability to manage several projects simultaneously
• Proficiency in applicable computer applications including, but not limited to, Microsoft and Google suites, Adobe Acrobat, and client/volunteer databases is required
• Flexibility to attend occasional early morning or evening meetings/activities
• Ability to travel occasionally to off-site meetings, community events, and fundraising events

Compensation and Benefits

• Health and wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans provided at no cost to the employee (employees may choose higher levels of coverage for a cost), supplemental insurance (at employee cost), and employee assistance program to promote employee health. A recent example of VLJ’s emphasis on employee health and wellness is our current 4-day work week. Under VLJ’s model, staff are paid 100% of their salary, work 80% of a 40-hour week (32 hours), and meet 100% of their job responsibilities, providing staff with more time to live their lives

while having a greater focus on productivity while working.

• Financial security: Competitive salary and retirement savings plan to ensure your financial well- being.
• Work-life balance: Generous paid holidays (including Christmas Eve-January 1), PTO, and sick leave. VLJ also offers a hybrid work environment with all employees working 2 days per week in the Newark office, providing great flexibility to our team.
• Professional development: Opportunities for continuing learning and career advancement through professional development programs and access to conferences, workshops, and professional associations.
• Supportive environment: VLJ provides a collaborative and inclusive work culture that values transparency, autonomy, and ownership, ensuring an environment where you can thrive.

Health and wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans provided at no cost to the employee (employees may choose higher levels of coverage for a cost), supplemental insurance (at employee cost), and employee assistance program to promote employee health. A recent example of VLJ’s emphasis on employee health and wellness is our current 4-day work week. Under VLJ’s model, staff are paid 100% of their salary, work 80% of a 40-hour week (32 hours), and meet 100% of their job responsibilities, providing staff with more time to live their lives while having a greater focus on productivity while working.

Financial security: Competitive salary and retirement savings plan to ensure your financial well-being.

Work-life balance: Generous paid holidays (including Christmas Eve-January 1), PTO, and sick leave. VLJ also offers a hybrid work environment with all employees working 2 days per week in the Newark office, providing great flexibility to our team.

Professional development: Opportunities for continuing learning and career advancement through professional development programs and access to conferences, workshops, and professional associations.

Supportive environment: VLJ provides a collaborative and inclusive work culture that values transparency, autonomy, and ownership, ensuring an environment where you can thrive.