Paralegal

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The HopeWorks Paralegal plays a vital role in supporting attorneys who represent survivors of intimate partner and sexual violence in Howard County, Maryland. This includes assisting with temporary and final peace and protective orders, as well as supporting consultations related to housing, family law, and other civil legal matters. The position provides essential administrative and case-related support to the Director of Legal Services and Staff Attorney, enhancing the Legal Department’s capacity to serve survivors.

This full-time role assists with legal filings, case management, document organization, and client follow-up, and contributes to both direct service and behind-the-scenes operations. The Paralegal will have a direct impact on the safety and stability of the individuals and families we serve, by ensuring efficient legal services, timely case processing, and seamless coordination of client care.

This is a non-attorney position that does not provide legal advice or direct representation but is critical to the successful delivery of trauma-informed legal services at HopeWorks.

HopeWorks’ staff are invested and engaged in altering the systems and imbalances of power that maintain the status quo and are root causes of sexual and intimate partner violence - including racism, transphobia, poverty, xenophobia, ableism, and other forms of oppression. The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to social justice, a deep understanding of the root causes of sexual and intimate partner violence, and a trauma-informed approach to supporting survivors.

Online Application Link: https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=122098&clientkey=57F0B2A019C74484C2E21C815D921A34 

The review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree or certificate in Paralegal Studies required; Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience as a paralegal or in a legal support role, preferably in protective orders, family law, civil litigation, or nonprofit legal services.
• Strong understanding of domestic violence dynamics and trauma-informed practices, with experience working with survivors of intimate partner or sexual violence.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple cases, deadlines, and priorities in a fast-paced, survivor-centered legal environment, with sensitivity and discretion.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe, Docusign, and legal document formatting.
• Comfort with electronic case management systems such as ETO or other similar platforms, and data entry.
• Team-oriented and client-centered, with a strengths-based and empowerment approach to service provision.
• Demonstrated commitment to cultural humility, social justice, equity, and accessible service delivery.
• Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, and auto insurance to travel to court or community meetings as needed.
• Passionate about the mission and philosophy of HopeWorks.

Preferred Skills

• Familiarity with Maryland civil and family court procedures.
• Experience working in public interest or nonprofit legal settings.
• Ability to monitor and adapt to legislative and policy changes impacting survivors.
• Bilingual or multilingual (preferred, not required); native or near-native fluency in Spanish, Korean, Chinese, Hindi, Urdu, Arabic, or French is highly valued.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist attorneys with preparation of legal documents, including appearances, motions, pleadings, discovery, subpoenas, legal memoranda, and correspondence.
• Conduct legal research and summarize findings to support litigation, advocacy, and policy work.
• Organize and maintain accurate and confidential electronic and paper client files, calendars, and legal records in accordance with internal protocols and funder requirements.
• Track filing deadlines, court dates, and case follow-up tasks using shared calendars and case management systems.
• Prepare client intake summaries and support clients in collecting evidence and documentation related to protection orders, custody petitions, divorce filings, or restitution enforcement.
• Draft basic forms, letters, and court filings for attorney review and signature.
• Coordinate with courts, law enforcement, and partner agencies to facilitate client services and ensure timely case processing.
• Provide logistical and administrative support during trial or hearing preparation, including organizing trial exhibits and communicating with external parties.
• Attend client meetings as needed and provide trauma-informed, survivor-centered support to individuals navigating complex legal systems.
• Help monitor and summarize legislative changes and policy developments that impact survivors of intimate partner and sexual violence.
• Maintain legal department inventory, including forms, outreach materials, and office supplies.
• Support data collection and reporting efforts for grant compliance and outcome tracking.
• Perform all other duties assigned by the Director of Legal Services.

Competencies: An individual should demonstrate the following competencies to perform the essential functions of this position.

Legal System Navigation

Understands court procedures, legal terminology, and the flow of civil and family law cases. Supports attorneys in preparing legal filings, communicating with the courts, and tracking deadlines. Demonstrates the ability to locate relevant information and follow appropriate protocols in a legal setting.

Data Management & Confidentiality

Maintains accurate and up-to-date client and case records in both physical and electronic formats. Understands and upholds strict confidentiality standards in accordance with legal and ethical requirements, agency policy, and trauma-informed best practices.

Dealing with Ambiguity

Can effectively cope with uncertainty, change, and be comfortable in situations that do not explicitly have written standards. Tolerate and be comfortable with risk and uncertainty.

Approachability

Being accessible, consciously breaking down perceived barriers, having appropriate body language, and using verbal communication for program participants and co-workers to feel comfortable bring and discussing feedback.

Communication: Oral and Written

Effectively transfers thoughts and expresses ideas orally or in writing in individual or group situations. Speaks comfortably with a diverse array of individuals and groups.

Collaborative Problem-Solving

Works cooperatively with attorneys, advocates, and other team members to find thoughtful and practical solutions to challenges. Contributes ideas, listens actively, and remains flexible when working through obstacles or system navigation issues.

Judgment

Displays willingness to make decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment; makes timely decisions; displays strong ability to prioritize.

Collaboration and Teamwork

Supports a positive team environment in which members participate, respect and cooperate with each other to achieve desired results; works harmoniously with others to get a job done; responds positively to instructions and procedures; able to work well with staff, co-workers, peers and managers; shares critical information with everyone involved in a project; works effectively on projects that cross functional lines; helps to set a tone of cooperation within the work group and across groups; coordinates own work with others; seeks opinions; values working relationships; when appropriate facilitates discussion before decision-making process is complete.

Quality of Work

Maintains high standards despite pressing deadlines; does work right the first time; corrects own errors; regularly produces accurate, thorough, professional work.

Organizational & Time Management

Effectively prioritizes tasks, manages multiple cases or projects at once, and meets deadlines. Keeps detailed and organized records, tracks key dates and filings, and ensures accuracy and follow-through in all aspects of case and administrative support.

Professionalism and Accountability

Demonstrates integrity, reliability, and a strong work ethic. Maintains professional boundaries, takes responsibility for tasks and outcomes, and upholds the values and mission of HopeWorks in all interactions and work products.

Reliability

Personally responsible; completes work in a timely, consistent manner; works hours necessary to complete assigned work; is regularly present and punctual; arrives prepared for work; is committed to doing the best job possible; keeps commitments.

Cultural Competency & Humility

Demonstrates respect and sensitivity for diverse backgrounds, identities, and life experiences. Approaches work with openness and a willingness to learn from others. Recognizes and addresses personal bias, adapts services to meet the cultural and linguistic needs of clients, and contributes to an inclusive and equitable workplace.

Commitment to Social Change and Social Justice

Willing and able to approach their work with an understanding and appreciation of social change and social justice issues.

Safety and Security

Observe safety and security procedures and uses equipment and materials properly.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, sit, walk, speak, communicate and hear. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus.

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Note: This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills aptitudes and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills or abilities.

TO APPLY: Applicants must complete an online application and submit a resume and letter of interest. Incomplete applications and applications submitted without a cover letter and resume will not be reviewed. The review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Due to the high volume of applications, we receive, we will only respond to applicants whose candidacy is being considered. Phone calls will NOT be accepted.

Online Application Link: https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=122098&clientkey=57F0B2A019C74484C2E21C815D921A34  

HopeWorks is an Equal Opportunity employer. Personnel are chosen on the basis of ability without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, marital status or sexual orientation, in accordance with federal and state law.