Legal Aid Foundation has been providing free civil legal services to the underserved in our county since 1959. Our mission is to ensure that low-income people and seniors have access to the civil justice system – to secure safe shelter, adequate income, and protection from domestic violence and elder abuse.

 Our free legal services include the provision of legal information and advice, assistance with the preparation of legal documents, and representation in Court proceedings and administrative hearings. Our service areas are Family Law (domestic violence and child custody), Elder Law, Public Benefits (Social Security and disability), and Landlord/Tenant law.  We operate weekly Domestic Violence Restraining Order Clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria and a weekly 2-hour Consumer Debt Clinic in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria and Lompoc. In addition, we operate weekly outreach programs at senior community centers in Santa Barbara and Goleta and Legal Resource Centers (LRCs) at the Santa Barbara, Santa Maria and Lompoc Superior Courts. 

Sargent Shriver Intake Paralegal

 LAFSBC is currently searching for three full-time intake paralegals one for our Santa Maria, Lompoc, and Santa Barbara offices. 

 These positions are part of a three year pilot program where LAFSBC will represent low income tenants in housing cases and probate matters under the Sargent Shriver Civil Counsel Act (California Government Code Section 68650 et. seq.) The pilot program is designed to ensure unrepresented parties in certain civil cases affecting housing, guardianships and conservatorships have meaningful access to justice and to address inequities that can result when parties cannot afford the cost of retaining private attorney representation.   The Intake Paralegals will assist, and work under the supervision of the Sargent Shriver attorneys.  This includes client intake, conflict of interest checks, data entry, case assessment, and litigation support.

 Essential duties and responsibilities include: Screening potential clients for eligibility for various LAFSBC programs, data entry, interviewing clients and reviewing documents to identify and assess various legal issues, completing legal forms, maintaining case files and documents, filing documents with the courts, interacting with clients, government agencies and other organizations, reviewing and editing pleadings, briefs, correspondence, and discovery requests and responses; acting as a Spanish translator; assisting in trial preparation; and assisting with other administrative, litigation, and clerical duties.  Other duties may be assigned.

 Qualifications: Excellent communication and organizational skills. Ability to interact with a wide range of clients and a diverse staff in a kind appropriate manner. Ability to speak, write and read Spanish.  Ability to assume responsibility quickly and work independently and as part of a team. Ability to use good judgment, multitask and meet deadlines.  Associates degree or experience as a paralegal including experience in litigation or housing law, preferred but not required. A paralegal certificate is preferred but not required.  Commitment to LAFSBC’s mission and values.

 Benefits: Salary depends on experience. Benefits include health and dental insurance, life insurance, 403 b retirement, two weeks of vacation, and ten sick days per year and 14 holidays per year.  Legal training opportunities are provided.

 Application Procedure: Applications accepted until the position is filled. Please email cover letter, resume, and a list of references to Yvonne Cudney, Managing Attorney 301 S. Miller Street, Suite 121, Santa Maria, CA 93454  (805) 922-9909; ycudney@lafsbc.org