Job Title: Legal & Program Assistant

Reports to: Intake Supervisor

Hours: Full-time, hybrid office/remote

Pay: Mid 40s, depending on experience, non-exempt

Deadline to Apply: Monday, February 20

ABOUT US

For 37 years, Georgia Justice Project (GJP) has served Georgians impacted by the criminal legal system. GJP approaches social change in three ways: through legal and social services - including holistic criminal defense, early termination of probation, criminal record clearing, and other reentry legal services; by advocating for policy change in Georgia, resulting in 22 changes to Georgia law so far; and by educating officials and communities statewide on criminal justice and reentry issues. This work advance GJP’s goals of lowering the number of Georgians under correctional control, reducing barriers to reentry, improving public safety by addressing the underlying causes of crime, and challenging systemic racism as expressed through the criminal legal system. You can read more about our work at GJP.org.

ROLE OVERVIEW

Legal & Program Assistants work closely with GJP’s teams of attorneys and social workers to support client representation and program management. Assistants generally work with either the defense/probation team or the reentry legal services team and work under the supervision of GJP’s Intake Supervisor. Assistants will also have responsibilities for maintaining social service specific documents and preparing for client events. Assistants will work in both a supportive role to their respective teams and directly with GJP clients to deliver the highest quality of services in a holistic and thoughtful manner. Assistants may also work with staff to support new initiatives such as a Warrant Clinic GJP is launching, which is a new community resource that will allow individuals to resolve outstanding warrants without entering custody, and Restorative Justice Georgia, which is a new partnership with local district attorneys to divert eligible cases to a restorative justice facilitation process. Assistants may also interact directly with county or state agencies and other stakeholders and must have excellent and professional communication skills. We are looking for individuals who are committed to advancing social justice through the provision of legal services and who are organized and will thrive in a fast-paced non-profit environment.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Warrant Clinic/Criminal Defense & Probation Program

• Draft pleadings and other documents such as attorney leave notices for attorney review
• Assist with filing pleadings
• Provide case management support to attorneys and social workers including drafting engagement letters, communicating with clients, and setting up appointments, requesting and obtaining police reports and other documents, and closing files
• Assist with the intake process by doing initial interviews in local jails and the Metro Reentry Facility, a prison located in Atlanta
• Help review, organize, and summarize discovery including transcribing client and witness interviews
• Communicate with clients at the direction of attorneys or social workers to set up appointments, gather and relay information
• Assist with setting up team meetings, taking notes, and providing action lists after meetings
• Help maintain client lists and assist with transition of client information into Salesforce database
• Support team of attorneys by organizing and attending intake requesting documents, maintaining client files, and tracking client status
• Provide support to clients in prison by setting up attorney/social worker visits and coordinating packages
• Provide support for new projects

PREFERRED BUT NOT REQUIRED

• Interest in criminal justice and/or poverty issues
• Undergraduate degree
• 2-3 years of work experience
• A valid Driver’s License
• Ability to work productively both in-office and remotely
• Flexibility and willingness to work as a team member
• Effective communication skills with fellow employees and clients - both written & oral
• Ability to learn new skills and tasks quickly
• Proficient with Windows, Word, and Excel
• Familiarity with Salesforce

NOTES

• GJP is open Mon-Fri 8:30am to 5:30pm. We are hybrid remote/in office. GJP Directors determine schedules based on programmatic needs and staffing requirements.
• Benefits: GJP pays 100% of employee’s health, dental, and vision insurance. We offer a 403(b)-retirement plan with 3% match and immediate eligibility and vesting. In addition to company holidays, staff receive a generous PTO allowance. This is a great place to work.

APPLY

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume combined as a single PDF document to careers@GJP.org. Subject line must state, “Legal & Program Specialist – Last Name.”

GJP requires all employees be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment, subject to accommodation. If you are hired, we will require you to prove that you have received the COVID-19 vaccine or have a valid documented religious or medical reason not to be vaccinated. This paragraph informs you of the company's expectations before you begin work at GJP and you should not reveal information about your COVID-19 vaccination status prior to receiving an offer of employment.

GJP is an equal opportunity employer, committed to building a diverse staff and welcomes qualified applicants of all races, colors, religions, national origins, sexes, gender identities, sexual orientations, and disability statuses. GJP particularly encourages people who are formerly incarcerated or justice-involved to apply.