Paralegal – Full Time

Paralegal – Full Time

Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid (MMLA) is seeking a full-time Paralegal to join the Housing unit in the Minneapolis office. This position is a nonexempt position and will start as soon as possible after an offer is extended. 

The MMLA Housing unit helps renters maintain safe and stable housing. We provide direct representation to low-income tenants in eviction cases, subsidized housing terminations, and health and safety litigation. We work to protect renters from discrimination and landlord harassment. We also help tenants secure emergency repairs, prevent unlawful lockouts, and seek emergency assistance. As a paralegal, you will be part of this essential work to keep people safe and secure in their homes. You will conduct a range of litigation support, including filing documents with the courts, assisting attorneys with trial- and appeals- preparation, and individual case management. MMLA provides on-the-job training, and there are opportunities for growth in this organization.  

Employees at MMLA enjoy a flexible schedule, collegial office setting, and healthy work/life balance. This a hybrid position, where the Paralegal works 2 or 3 days remotely and remaining days in the downtown Minneapolis office. On Fridays, the office closes at noon and employees enjoy a half day of paid flex time. MMLA provides on-the-job training and mentorship, with opportunities for growth within the organization.   

The salary range is $46,078 to $59,860 annually, depending on experience. MMLA offers a robust benefits package, including family medical and dental insurance, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, 403(b) with employer match, FSA, employee assistance programs, and generous paid time off. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Apply the principles of MMLA’s Racial Justice Values Statement in all interactions. 
• Provide administrative support for casehandlers, including generating documents utilizing word processing, spreadsheet, database, and litigation software. 
• Organize and maintain legal case files and calendars, client communications, and other administrative tasks as needed. 
• Provide litigation support, including: assisting with drafting correspondence, pleadings, and other documents; drafting discovery documents and completing other discovery-related tasks; reviewing and proofing draft documents; applying coding/bate stamping schemes to documents and/or exhibits; e-filing and e-serving through the various court systems; and other litigation support tasks as needed. 
• Call clients and follow-up with clients as needed, including communications regarding compliance with settlement agreements. 
• Provide in-person support for casehandlers at housing court. 
• Provide back-up to the support staff and intake teams as needed. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

Required qualifications: 

• Demonstrated interest in and commitment to the needs of people with low incomes and other vulnerable clients. 
• Ability to organize and maintain large volumes of electronic and paper files. 
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize projects and work under strict deadlines. 
• Self-motivated and a team player.  Strong attention to detail. 
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. 
• Ability to learn new technologies, software systems, and processes as they are deployed. 
• Advanced proofreading, formatting, and editing skills. 
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office required. 

Preferred qualifications: 

• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, and Outlook. 
• Proficiency with a PDF manipulation software such as Adobe Acrobat or Foxit Phantom, electronic discovery processing, document imaging applications, and litigation support applications. 
• Knowledge of litigation process, including document production and other discovery projects, document management and trial procedures. 
• Familiarity with e-filing/e-serving. 
• Paralegal certificate. 
• Diverse economic, social, and cultural experiences. 

Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. As an equal opportunity employer, MMLA is committed to inclusive hiring and is dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, experiences, and communities to apply. We welcome information about how your experience can contribute to serving our diverse client communities. Applicants are encouraged to share in their cover letter how they can further our goal of equal justice for all. We are committed to a discrimination- and harassment-free workplace.