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Vinfen · 23 hours ago

Paralegal

Cambridge, MA

Full-time

Onsite

Mid Level

$65K/yr - $85K/yr

3+ years exp

Vinfen is a nonprofit health and human services organization dedicated to providing community-based services to individuals with mental health conditions and disabilities. The Paralegal will perform substantive legal work, provide administrative support to the Legal Department, and maintain legal files while responding to inquiries and coordinating legal processes.

AssociationHealth Care

Responsibilities

Responds to field inquiries about guardianship matters, disclosures to police, government benefits, and mental health law issues

Responds to field inquiries about the applicability of the Community Residency Tenancy Act (CRTA) to the housing of certain persons served by the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Division. Analyzes the applicability of the CRTA, evaluates the strength of the evidence, and when appropriate, prepares notices of the company’s proposed eviction of such persons served under the CRTA. Coordinates the service of process, prepares the company’s witnesses, and as needed, represents the company at administrative hearings on the propriety of proposed evictions. Prepares and delivers training to the field on the CRTA

Serves as the company’s contact person for field and operations personnel, and family members, regarding family members’ requests for the deceased persons’ assets and records in the custody of the company. Explains the probate court process for obtaining an appointment as the administrator of the estate and coordinates the company’s responses to legal representatives seeking assets and records of deceased persons

Prepares responses to all subpoenas and court orders, initial requests for discovery, and requests for other information from the company (e.g., attorney requests for employee records)

Prepares and coordinates filings required by the Secretary of State’s Corporations Division, including, but not limited to, annual reports for Vinfen and affiliates. Coordinates internal communications with lobbyists regarding the filing requirements of the Secretary of State’s Lobbyist Division; coordinates the semi-annual filings of the company, and its lobbyists. Requests and obtains documentation from State offices, local registries, and other administrative offices

Prepares the company’s applications for various insurance policies. Provides liaison and information gathering support in the assessment and investigation of insurance claims

Conducts legal research via the Internet and draft synopses of the context, the information sought, and its likely meaning for the company

Conducts internal investigations of select situations with identified legal risk to the company, as assigned. Interviews witnesses (including employees and clients, as necessary); conducts detailed review of confidential and other records, conducts site reviews; drafts investigation reports of same

Assists with preparation and delivery of training to management personnel on relevant topics

Assists with drafting, reviewing, and revising certain business contracts and Business Associate Agreements

Assists with collections matters involving monies owed to the company, and with responses to demands for monies purportedly owed by the company

Coordinates Legal Department projects with other departments, as necessary (e.g., drafting revisions of program operations policies and forms; drafts promissory notes)

Creates, organizes, and maintains legal files and related documentation

Performs other related duties, as required

Qualification

Paralegal studies certificateLegal research skillsLawsRegulationsCritical thinking skillsAttention to detailReading comprehensionInterviewing skillsPlanningOrganizingPositive working relationshipsComputer proficiencyWritten communicationConfidentiality

Required

Bachelor's degree required, other advanced degrees a plus

Three to five years of relevant experience. In some instances, experience may be substituted for academic training

Certificate in paralegal studies a plus

Knowledge of laws and regulations governing matters including, but not limited to: the privacy and confidentiality of the records, protected health information, and personal information of persons served; legal assistance resources available to persons served; guardianship; probate procedures for the appointment of a legal representative of an estate; the Community Residency Tenancy Act, and personnel records

Working knowledge of laws and regulations as they apply to matters including, but not limited to: Representative Payee for Social Security benefits; corporations; third party creditor summonses, and Criminal Offender Record Information

Excellent reading comprehension skills

Excellent legal and factual research skills

Excellent critical thinking skills

Excellent interviewing and summation skills

Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy

Excellent planning and organizing skills

Ability to compose original correspondence

Ability to draft affidavits, pleadings, memoranda, correspondence, training materials, and other written communications for the review of the General Counsel

Ability to foster, promote, and maintain positive and constructive internal and external working relationships

Ability to write and speak clearly and succinctly

Ability to meet and adhere to strict deadlines

Ability to work under competing demands and priorities

Ability to work in a professional and confidential capacity

Knowledge of personal computer hardware and software applications

Ability to lift at least 25 pounds using proper lifting techniques

Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer

Ability to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time as needed

Ability to bend, reach, file, sit, stand and move around the facility

Ability to speak, hear and communicate with persons served, staff and external representatives

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus