About this role
JOB DESCRIPTION
Intake Manager Paralegal
Position Overview
Position Details
SUPERVISOR | Legal Director
SALARY RANGE | $52,000-$67,000
CLASSIFICATION | Full-Time Employee (Exempt), Bargaining Unit Position.
LOCATION | This position is Ohio-based, in-state location is flexible. We have physical offices in Columbus and Cleveland and we are a hybrid remote / in-person work environment.
Position Summary
The Intake Manager Paralegal serves as the first point of contact for individuals seeking legal services through Equality Ohio. This role ensures that LGBTQ+ individuals across Ohio, particularly those who are transgender, nonbinary, BIPOC, and/or low-income are met with respect, empathy and a trauma-informed approach by managing day-to-day operations of the Clinic’s intake department.
You will gather essential information, assess legal needs and coordinate appropriate legal referrals, working closely with our legal team to ensure equitable access to affirming representation. You will also be responsible for placement of case referrals to our pro bono law firm partners, as well as for following up on the placement and outcome of those cases.
You will be responsible for project management of projects directly related to the legal clinic’s strategic development goals in coordination and collaboration with the Director of Legal Advocacy.
You will also be responsible for litigation support for Legal Clinic attorneys, including drafting client correspondence, assisting with trial preparation, and assisting with filing cases and pleadings.
Through compassionate communication and efficient coordination, you’ll directly support Equality Ohio’s mission to advance lived and legal equality for all Ohioans.
Key Responsibilities in Order of Precedence
Client Intake and Support
• Respond promptly and professionally to phone and online intake inquiries.
• Collect and document demographic and legal issue information for all potential clients.
• Assess potential client needs and determine if they are appropriate for in-house representation or referral, including working collaboratively with potential clients to gather information and documentation needed to advance their legal matters through the intake process.
• Prepare and discuss weekly conflicts checks with the legal team in accordance with internal best practices.
• Ensure that all potential clients follow the normal cadence of the intake system, as defined in the Clinic’s intake operation policies and procedures.
• Mentor legal interns/externs/fellows and Clinic support staff who are working within the intake system.
• Approach all client interactions with cultural humility, respect for client autonomy, and understanding of the diverse needs and barriers that clients may have encountered.
Litigation Support
• Provide administrative support to attorneys throughout the life of a client matter.
• Assist attorneys in identifying and addressing barriers that clients may face in accessing legal services, courts, and other systems.
• Assist with drafting and formatting pleadings, including motions, discovery requests, correspondence, and other legal documents under attorney supervision.
• Assist attorneys with preparations for hearings, trials, and mediations.
• Assist in maintaining accurate and timely case notes, including entering demographic information, notes, and documents into case management systems.
• Handle confidential and sensitive client information in accordance with ethical, legal, and internal organizational requirements.
Attorney Referral Network (ARN) Development
• Develop and draft monthly ARN newsletters in collaboration with the Legal Director and Director of Development and Communications.
• Ensure that ARN data is up-to-date and accurate.
• Participate in development of projects related to Clinic’s strategic goals for the ARN.
Organizational Participation
• Participate in legal team departmental meetings and all-staff meetings.
• Assist with strategic development and review of the intake system
• Assist with general office tasks and special projects.
• Provide input to support grant reporting and funder communications.
• As capacity allows, provide additional case support to Clinic staff attorneys.
Community Engagement
• Assist in the preparation and presentation of community-facing Know-Your-Rights materials.
• Assist in planning and staffing Legal Clinic and organization-wide community events, such as pop-up clinics, Prides, and presentations, as capacity allows.
• Participate in other organizational and community events as determined by the Legal Director.
Qualifications
Required
• Minimum of 2 years relevant experience providing legal, paralegal, case management, or other relevant support in a legal service, nonprofit, or law office setting, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Familiarity with legal ethics and the Ohio Rules of Professional Responsibility.
• Strong commitment to LGBTQ+ equity, with awareness of lived experiences and legal issues facing LGBTQ+ Ohioans and families.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks with attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
• Comfortable handling sensitive information with professionalism and discretion.
• Able to work independently and collaboratively in a hybrid work environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to providing culturally humble, client-centered service to individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Commitment to the mission, vision and values of Equality Ohio.
Preferred
• Experience working with LGBTQ+ or trans-focused organizations and populations.
• Proficiency with CLIO and Lawmatics or other similar case management and client intake systems.
• Experience working with clients who face barriers to accessing traditional legal services.
• Knowledge of Ohio legal systems or public benefits programs.
• Experience in developing plain-language legal resources, such as know your rights materials and pro se client guides.
• Paralegal certification or other formal legal support training.
Candidate Profile
We are seeking someone who is:
• Deeply aligned with Equality Ohio’s mission and equity-focused work.
• Passionate about legal access and social justice for LGBTQ+ communities.
• A strong communicator and compassionate listener.
• Adaptable and self-motivated, able to thrive in a remote and collaborative environment.
• Organized, detail-oriented, and able to maintain confidentiality.
Work Environment & Schedule
• Equality Ohio’s regular business hours are 9:00am–5:00pm ET, Monday through Friday, with a standard 40-hour work week. Non-exempt employees receive a paid 30-minute lunch and a 15-minute break for every four hours worked. Due to the nature of the work, some evenings and weekends may be required. Employees are encouraged to manage their schedules to balance workload and maintain flexibility. Staff are generally expected to be available for meetings between 9:00am and 4:00pm ET, with an organizational preference to limit Friday meetings after 12:30pm.
Physical Demands
The Intake Manager Paralegal role requires the ability to sit for extended periods while working at a computer or participating in virtual meetings. The position may occasionally require lifting or carrying materials weighing up to 25 pounds, such as documents, a laptop or event supplies. Travel within Ohio may be expected, which may include overnight stays and the ability to navigate various transportation methods. The role may involve attending and actively participating in hearings, meetings and events, which may require being active for extended periods. During peak advocacy times, the ability to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends, is necessary. Reasonable accommodations will be made to support individuals with disabilities in performing the essential functions of this role.
Compensation & Benefits
• Competitive salary $52,000-$67,000
• Generous time off package, including four (4) weeks combined paid time off (vacation, sick, etc.), ten (10) paid holidays, fifteen (15) days of paid organizational shutdown breaks
• Health and vision insurance with minimal employee contribution ($110 per month + $110 per month for optional family coverage)
• Employee-paid dental insurance
• Paid Family Leave and sabbatical opportunities based on length of service
• FSA with employer $25 per month contribution
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Access to optional employee-paid insurance coverage, including long-term disability coverage.
• 403-B plan with 1% employer matching
• Digital security services.
• Multiple stipend opportunities, including cell phone and professional development stipends.
Equity Employment Opportunity & Inclusion Commitment
Equality Ohio is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. We understand that women, non-binary individuals, and people of color may be less likely to apply unless they meet every qualification listed. We strongly encourage all qualified candidates to apply, including those from nontraditional backgrounds, as we seek the best fit for the role.
We particularly encourage applications from people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with gender-expansive identities. Equality Ohio is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, age, class, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, ancestry, military status, genetic information, marital status, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, criminal record (when not in conflict with organizational values or legal requirements), or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
52,000 - 67,000