Legal Aid of West Virginia (LAWV) seeks a skilled, motivated Paralegal to join the Recovery Medical Legal Partnership Project in our Charleston Office. LAWV offers a great family-friendly work environment and an excellent benefits package which includes medical, dental, and life insurance and paid leave, valued at almost an extra $50,000/year.

As a Recovery Medical Legal Partnership Paralegal in the Charleston Office of LAWV, you will primarily work with people who are living in recovery residences or attending outpatient treatment, and you will need to build relationships and trust with providers and staff as well as patients/residents in highly sensitive and confidential spaces. You will work with an attorney who will have direct responsibility for providing clients with trauma-informed and stigma-free legal advice and in-court representation, with support from and collaboration with other attorneys and community partners. 

The Recovery Medical Legal Partnership Project is a newly expanded project, creating a network of like-minded attorneys and paralegals throughout West Virginia to create lasting change on West Virginians in recovery, working to overcome socioeconomic legal barriers to recovery, as well as overcoming stigma and discrimination presented by their pasts, and working to rekindle family and community connections. This position may include travel in collaborating with recovery residences or treatment facilities in nearby counties. 

The Charleston office serves 7 counties and is the largest office in our firm. This position offers a chance to work with a diverse group of advocates and clients on a variety of social justice and poverty issues. While the main office is in Charleston, outdoor enthusiasts will be delighted to learn that we are just a stone’s throw from some of the state’s most beautiful landmarks, including the New River Gorge, Kanawha State Forest, and the Hatfield/McCoy Trail. Additionally, the nearby Elk, Kanawha and Coal Rivers offer some of the best kayaking opportunities. Lovers of the arts and culture can spend their days exploring the Clay Center for the Arts and Science and the Capitol Market, and their nights enjoying a great meal at one of our many local restaurants. And if you are looking to get away for a weekend, Charleston is a few hours from Columbus, Ohio, Cleveland, Ohio, Cincinnati, OH, Lexington, KY and Pittsburgh, PA.

Please submit a cover letter and resume to jobs@lawv.net. Applications will be considered until the position is filled. While LAWV will seek continuation funds for the position, this is currently a defined term position that ends on September 30, 2024. LAWV is seeking diverse perspectives and people. EOE Qualified women, minorities and people with disabilities (including lived recovery experience) are encouraged to apply.

Hiring Qualifications:

1. Must have a minimum of a high school diploma and a minimum of 2 years’ experience with and knowledge of substantive legal issues affecting the poor and demonstrated knowledge of legal principles, legal research methods, legal terminology, court systems and legal procedure.

2. Must have skills to use office technologies, including case management, publications, data analysis and Excel software.

3. S(he) should have the ability to organize, prioritize, and work independently.

4. Good communication skills, both written and oral are required.

5. Good interpersonal skills and the ability to interact constructively with diverse populations also required.

6. S(he) must have a working understanding of providing legal services to clients in a multi-site office environment over a broad geographic area.

7. Must demonstrate ability to present statements of fact and law clearly and logically in written and oral form to a variety of audiences.

8. S(he) must have the ability to analyze situations accurately and to adopt an effective course of action and be able to multi-task effectively.

9. S(he) must demonstrate a high level of initiative, effort and commitment towards completing assignments efficiently under minimal supervision in a way that encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust and group identity.

10. Experience with project reporting and/or event planning logistics is desirable.

11. Some statewide and out of state travel required.

12. Some work outside of normal LAWV work hours.