Founded in 1981, the Public Law Center (PLC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free legal services to low-income residents and nonprofits in Orange County. Last year, its staff and volunteers provided more than 65,000 hours of free legal services across 4,500+ cases, benefiting children, adults, and seniors. Services include legal counseling, representation, community education, policy advocacy, and impact litigation to address societal injustices.

PLC’s Housing and Homelessness Prevention Unit provides direct and pro bono legal representation to tenants facing evictions, discrimination, harassment, housing voucher disputes, affordable housing issues, and other housing-related matters. The Unit also conducts community education, legal clinics, and local and statewide advocacy.

PLC is seeking a highly skilled Senior Paralegal to support the Unit with case management, legal research, and mentoring and training. This role requires expertise in litigation support, training and mentoring staff, and ensuring efficient legal operations. The Senior Paralegal will collaborate with attorneys, other paralegals/administrative staff, clients, and external partners to provide quality legal services.

Responsibilities: 

• Conduct legal research, draft memoranda, and analyze case law to support litigation (eviction defense, discrimination, habitability, subsidized housing, and other landlord/tenant matters).  
• Manage discovery, investigations (including housing inspections), legal analysis, pleadings, filings, service of documents, and attorney court preparation.  
• Monitor and ensure compliance with housing-related laws and regulations.  
• Prepare precise, confidential legal correspondence, reports, and resources.  
• Participate in internal initiatives and external events.  
  Prepare and deliver trainings/community presentations and support outreach efforts.  
• Interview clients and serve as primary contact for clients and pro bono counsel.  
• Provide interpretation/translation if bilingual.  
• Deliver approved legal information/advice and assist with document preparation under attorney supervision.  
• Maintain organized case files, time records, and client data with accuracy and accessibility.  
• Represent clients in administrative hearings (e.g., voucher/subsidized housing terminations) where permitted.  
• Mentor other paralegals and administrative assistants.  
• Provide training/mentorship to non-attorney staff and occasional supervision of volunteers (students, law clerks) to ensure high-quality client services.

Qualifications:

• Minimum high school diploma or GED; depending on level of education, must have matching experience or education to meet definition of paralegal pursuant to California Business & Professions Code section 6450(c). For example, with a high school diploma or GED, must have 3 years of law-related experience that took place before December 31, 2003, under the supervision of an attorney licensed in CA or before the CA federal courts with a written declaration from that attorney.
• Minimum 5+ years of paralegal experience, with a strong background in litigation and knowledge of litigation procedures.
• Strong writing and analytical skills.
• Proficiency with everyday office software, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, etc.), case management system (LegalServer), legal research databases (Westlaw), and others, including proficiency in Microsoft Word with formatting, drafting, and preparing legal writing.
• Knowledge of landlord/tenant and other housing law is a plus.
• High attention to detail and ability to manage multiple cases effectively.
• Bilingual English/Spanish or English/Vietnamese a plus.
• Must be able to work from the office several days a week and able to work from home in a distraction-free and confidential environment. This position requires attendance at meetings, both remote and in person, in and outside the Public Law Center’s offices, and requires being located in Southern California. Must have ability to work at the organization’s offices in Santa Ana, CA, and travel to work sites located throughout Orange County, CA. In addition, travel to Los Angeles County and other neighboring counties may be required.
• Must have reliable transportation.

The salary is $30/hour or $62,400 annually.

Go HERE to view the complete job description and to apply.