Community Legal Services (CLS) of Philadelphia is seeking a paralegal in its Employment Unit located at the 1424 Chestnut Street office location. CLSs mission is to fight poverty challenge systems that perpetuate injustice and change lives through cuttingedge advocacy and exceptional legal representation. CLS is recognized as one of the leading legal services programs in the country. We provide high quality direct legal representation engage in systemic policy advocacy with the goal of effectuating broadbased change and conduct community education and outreach.
CLS has several legal units providing free civil legal services to lowincome Philadelphians. The Employment Units work focuses on eliminating barriers to employment; fighting against worker exploitation; and ensuring workers receive the pay and benefits they are entitled to. The unit most commonly handles cases involving criminal record and child abuse record clearing; challenges to employer policies and state laws that overly restrict access to employment based on records; and wage theft and other forms of worker exploitation especially for immigrant workers.
Summary of Position: This position is for a paralegal specializing in addressing barriers to employment caused by criminal records. Key job responsibilities include:
- Screening clients for eligibility for criminal record clearing and providing clients with advice or representation in the expungement sealing and pardon processes under the supervision of attorneys.
- Drafting expungement sealing and court debt waiver motions to be reviewed and filed by an attorney supervisor; preparing clients for court appearances when needed.
- Advising clients about their rights under Fair Hiring laws and drafting demand letters to employers to help connect clients with employment.
- Community engagement via participating in our communitybased record clearing clinic program as well as other opportunities to engage in outreach with community partners.
- Assisting with other unit cases or work as needed.
- Paralegals in the employment unit carry their own highvolume caseloads under the supervision of an attorney supervisor.
CLS seeks applicants with the following qualifications:- Strong interpersonal oral and written communication skills.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills as well as attention to detail.
- Strong analytical skills including the ability to learn and apply new and complex areas of the law to client situations.
- Commitment to working with diverse populations and advocating for racial and economic justice.
- Experience or interest working in partnership with grassroots and communitybased organizations.
- Sound professional judgment.
- Demonstrated commitment to public interest work.
- Experience using technology with an emphasis on Microsoft products (word excel Outlook Sharepoint OneDrive etc..
- Abilities to speak Spanish or other languages is a plus.
- Lived experience with the criminal legal system is a plus.
To Apply: CLS will accept applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled. But applicants should apply by
MondayMay 5 2025 to receive first round consideration. You can submit your application on CLSs website online at OR
Apply can also reach out to Crystal Stackhouse (Hiring Coordinator)emailprotected.What to Include in your application:Please include a cover letter resume three professional references. Community Legal Services values a diverse work environment and strongly encourages women people of color people who identify as LGBTQ and people with disabilities to apply. For this job the perspective of people with criminal records is especially valuable.
CLS invites all applicants to include in their cover letter a statement about how your unique background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity cultural vitality and perspective of our staff and legal services practice.This is a fulltime position covered by the collective bargaining agreement between Community Legal Services Inc. (CLS) and the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees AFLCIO and its affiliate District 1199C.
The current minimum starting salary is $45970for entrylevel applicants but that salary is subject to change or adjustment if an applicant has relevant years of experience and according to the provisions of the current collective bargaining agreement. Raises and benefits are also governed by that agreement.
Community Legal Services Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants of all diverse backgrounds to apply. CLS Inc. does not discriminate in the selection of employees on the basis of race color religion gender sexual orientation sexual identity genetics age national origin disability or veteran status. In addition to federal law requirements CLS complies with allapplicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including recruiting hiring placement promotion termination layoff recall and transfer leaves of absence compensation and training.
Required Experience:
Junior IC