Saahas for Cause - Paralegal

Saahas for Cause is seeking a Paralegal to serve as the founding member of its new in-house legal team, launched through OVW’s Expanding Legal Services Initiative (ELSI). This is a unique opportunity to build a legal department from the ground up, shaping its structure and priorities as its first paralegal. You will deliver culturally competent, trauma-informed support to South Asian immigrant survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. You will not do it alone: Saahas provides a collaborative and trauma-informed work environment, structured supervision, and ongoing guidance from the American Bar Association's technical assistance providers.

Key Responsibilities
• Provide substantive legal support to the Staff Attorney: client communication, legal research, preparing and editing pleadings and court documents, submitting filings to LA and OC Superior Courts, and maintaining client records, evidence, and legal files.
• Assist at client intake and manage attorney calendars.
• Conduct conflict of interest checks for all prospective clients.
• Coordinate court hearing preparation: trial binders, logistics, liaising with court personnel and process servers, and tracking all deadlines.

Required Qualifications
• Associate’s degree, Bachelor’s degree, or paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved program, or an equivalent combination of education or experience.
• Substantive paralegal or legal assistant experience, preferably in family law, domestic violence legal services, immigration law, or nonprofit legal settings.
• Strong organizational skills and adaptability, including the ability to manage concurrent files and complex deadlines and to learn new systems quickly.
• Demonstrated commitment to culturally responsive, trauma-informed services for immigrant survivors, and to client confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications
• Demonstrated proficiency in legal document preparation, court filing procedures, legal research, and case management systems.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and e-filing platforms.
• Familiarity with South Asian cultural dynamics, family structures, and community-specific barriers to help-seeking among survivors.
• Prior experience working with survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, and with immigrant communities, including matters involving visa dependency or limited English proficiency.

Compensation & Benefits
Annual salary: $43,680 – $52,000 per year for 1.0 FT. This is a full-time, non-exempt, grant-funded position; overtime must be pre-approved by the supervisor. Paid sick leave, mileage reimbursement for authorized business travel at the prevailing IRS standard mileage rate, and access to Saahas’ organizational wellness resources.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Saahas for Cause is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from individuals with lived experience of the South Asian immigrant community and from survivors of gender-based violence.