Founded in 1981, The Public Law Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free legal services to low-income residents in Orange County. Our services include counseling, individual representation, community education, and strategic policy advocacy and impact litigation to challenge societal injustices.

PLC’s Housing and Homelessness Prevention Unit provides high quality direct representation, in addition to coordinating and supervising pro bono representation, of tenants in cases involving unlawful detainer, discrimination, subsidized housing disputes, affordable housing advocacy, and other issues related to housing in Orange County. The Unit also participates in community education, local and statewide advocacy, and community-based intake clinics. 

The Public Law Center is seeking a skilled Paralegal or Administrative Assistant to support the Housing and Homelessness Prevention Unit with client intakes, case management, and legal document preparation. This role includes litigation support, client management, and ensuring efficient legal operations. The Paralegal/Administrative Assistant will collaborate with attorneys, other paralegals/administrative staff, and clients to provide quality legal services.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct initial client intakes, including legal issue-spotting, conflict check, and eligibility determination in eviction defense, discrimination, habitability, subsidized housing cases (including housing vouchers), and other issues arising in landlord/tenant relationships.

• Act as a point of contact for clients, ensuring professional and effective communication, including providing approved legal information or advice under an attorney’s supervision.

• Maintain and organize legal documents, case files, time records, and client information, including case notes, ensuring data integrity and accessibility.

• Manage discovery processes, conduct investigation and fact gathering (including housing inspections), perform legal analysis, draft pleadings and legal forms, coordinate filings, mail and serve documents, and assist with attorney preparation for court proceedings.

• Prepare legal correspondence and other documents with precision and confidentiality.

• Prepare and conduct trainings and community presentations and otherwise assist with community outreach and education efforts.

• If bilingual, assist with interpretation and translation for staff and volunteer attorneys as needed.

• Provide general administrative and clerical support to the office, such as scanning and filing documents, assembling court filings, handling mail as needed.

Qualifications: 

• Education: High school diploma or GED  required. For paralegal title, depending on level of education, must have matching experience to meet definition of paralegal pursuant to California Business & Professions Code section 6450(c) to qualify for that title. Paralegal certificate or equivalent level of training preferred.

 Go HERE to view the complete job description and submit your application.