Part-time Jobs

If you are interested in a part-time job at the Tippecanoe County Courthouse, please contact me. The Courthouse periodically hires our PARA/LEGS students. These are a great chance to get your foot in the door

Part-time Paralegal Position in Lafayette

Attorney Luisa White is seeking a paralegal, part-time, for her solo practice office. 

Here's the job description:

PART-TIME ASSISTANT POSITION

10 HOURS A WEEK AT $9, PAID FOR HOURS WORKED

90 DAY PROBATIONARY PERIOD, UPON A 90 DAY EVALUATION BEING DONE AN INCREASE IN PAY AND HOURS WILL BE DETERMINED

NO BENEFITS

NOT A SALARIED POSITION

IF YOU HAVE TO TRAVEL DURING WORK HOURS, MILEAGE WILL BE REIMBURSED

OVERVIEW OF WORK

            High School Diploma or GED required. No legal experience is required but preferred. Ideal candidates should be effective communicators, open to learning paralegal skills and interested in family law, criminal law and general civil matters.  You will be expected to help in the daily operation of the business. Expect to answer phones, perform clerical work such as mailing and filing, draft documents, handle money, become acquainted with and undergo training for legal software, attend some court hearings for the purpose of taking detailed notes and to travel within the state of Indiana.

            

If you're interested, send your resume and cover letter to Luisa at luisawhite@luisawhitelaw.com.

Paralegal Job Opportunity in Crawfordsville

The Jackson Kelly Law Firm is opening an office in Crawfordsville, and is looking for a paralegal. This will be a full-time position, but the office is willing to be flexible with someone who is still taking classes.

Jackson Kelly practices in a variety of (low-drama) areas, as you can see from their website. And yes, when you are thinking of interviewing at a firm, you should spend some time on their website first.

This sounds like a fantastic opportunity for the right person. Is that you?

You can submit your resume and cover letter to Laura Baker, the office administrator in Evansville. Her email address is Laura.Baker@JacksonKelly.com.

Do you have questions about whether this is a good fit for you, how to make a good impression, etc.? Send those to me. You know where to find me.

An Embarrassment of Riches

Two more jobs were passed on to me today. Both are part-time, both are for Legal Aid. One is paralegal-ish, but the other is purely fundraising. I'm putting both job descriptions below. If you are interested in either job, send your resume and cover letter to

Mandy McIlwain

Executive Director

Legal Aid Corp. of Tippecanoe County

212 N. 5th St. Lafayette, IN 47901

O: (765) 742-1068

Office Assistant

Legal Aid is looking for an enthusiastic, personable, and reliable office assistant. Duties would include:

1. Customer service - answer phones and greet walk-ins. Direct clients to the proper person or another agency if we are not able to assist. Assist clients with applications. Qualify applications and set appointments.

2. Attorney assistance - pull attorney case files, file confidential documents, make copies, utilize online filing systems, e-file legal documents, maintain attorney calendars, draft and sent letters, draft basic legal documents for attorney review.

3. Recordkeeping - take payments for court cases, record applications and demographics, record attorney billable hours, maintain inventory of office supplies.

4. Cleaning duties - daily and weekly cleaning duties including sweeping, mopping, dusting, emptying waste baskets

5. Training - assist with training student interns and volunteers

Applicant must have proficient skills in Microsoft office programs and be able to type quickly and efficiently.

Starting pay is $8/hour, but has the potential to increase to $9/hour after 6 months. Hours of Legal Aid are 8:00-4:00pm Monday-Friday. This position requires a minimum of 20 hours, but will not exceed 30 hours in a week.  We are a small office, therefore applicant must be available during business hours if coverage is needed. 

Director of Development

SUMMARY:
The Director of Development is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing all of Legal Aid's fundraising including, the major gifts program, annual fund, planned giving, special events and capital campaigns. The Director works closely with the Executive Director and the Board of Directors in all development and fund raising endeavors.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must embrace the mission of providing legal services to low-income individuals
• Strong interpersonal and writing skills.
• Have knowledge and experience in fund raising techniques, particularly major gift fundraising.
• Possess the skills to work with and motivate staff, board members and other volunteers.
• Have the desire to get out of the office and build external relationships.
• Be a "self-starter" and goal driven to initiate donor visits and fundraising calls.
• Be organized and exhibit follow through on tasks and goals.
• Display a positive attitude, show concern for people and community, demonstrate presence, self-confidence, common sense and good listening ability.
• A bachelor's degree, or five years of development experience.

ACTUAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Meet prospective donors and supporters on a continual basis to establish effective communications with them.
2. Grow a major gifts program including identification, cultivation and solicitation of major donors.
3. Oversee grant seeking including research, proposal writing, and reporting requirements.
4. Build the planned giving program with a focus on deferred gifts such as bequest expectancies.
5. Direct the annual fund program, including mailings and annual fundraising drives.
6. Direct capital campaigns and other major fundraising drives.
7. Coordinate fund raising special events.
8. Oversee prospect research.
9. Work closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors.
10. Make public appearances/accept speaking engagements to share information about Legal Aid with the community.
11. Attend Board Development Committee meetings.
12. Implement and oversee fundraising database and tracking systems.
13. Supervise and collaborate with other fundraising volunteers.
14. Oversee creation of publications to support fund raising activities.
15. Maintain gift recognition programs.
16. Demonstrate professional conduct at all times.
17. Perform other related duties as requested.

SALARY/BENEFITS:
$18/hour - 20 hours/week

Jobs, jobs, jobs

You know, this could just turn into a job board if I'm not careful. Ironically, Ivy Tech has supposedly amassed all the jobs data for the state, and publishes it on its website. (Yeah, don't ask me where. I just see these things at faculty meetings.) Anyway, they have come up with a statistic of something like 100 job openings per year, statewide, for paralegals.

My fellow chairs and I have complained that the statement is misleadingly small. Ivy Tech gets its statistics from totaling the want ads on job placement sites; paralegals are generally sought via word of mouth.

But no one listens to us. Except you. Bless you.

Your reward? Yet another job opening. They're backing up, people. Start recruiting your literate friends and neighbors. Throw a "Law & Order" party and hand out brochures to everyone who shows up. Whatever.

Back to the job opening. A law firm in Lafayette is looking for a runner. This is not a paralegal position, but is a good way to meet lawyers and make a good impression while you're in school. (The making a good impression part is really key, here. Your networking success is only as good as your social skills.) Anyway, the firm is looking for someone full-time, but in a world in which all is negotiable (don't I always tell you that?), I asked whether they would consider breaking the job into 2 part-time jobs, and they said they would.

Interested? Let me know!

ANOTHER Great (Full-time) Job Opportunity

Okay, this is a position at a bank, and not, strictly speaking, a paralegal sort of job. But it does involve working with trusts and legal documents.

More importantly? The bank SPECIFICALLY asked for someone from here with a paralegal degree because we (collectively) were recommended by a local attorney!!!! You guys just keep making me proud!

The salary range is $14.91 - 19.88 per hour to start. It tops out at $24.85 hourly. I believe it is being posted on HireIvy, but also feel free to contact me if you are interested.

Absolutely Awash in Interesting Job Opportunities!

And this is why you should stay in contact with this blog after you graduate.....

First, the Tippecanoe County Public Defender's Office is looking to fill a couple of part-time positions. They stress that these are permanent positions, not just for a semester, so they're hoping to hire someone long-term-ish. For lawyers, long term usually implies 2 or more years, so if that fits into your plans for at least the next 2 years, check out their listing on the Tippecanoe County website.

Second, Pam might work in Milwaukee, but her firm also has an office in Indianapolis--and it's looking to hire an experienced paralegal. Are you--or do you know--someone who fits the bill? In the interests of full disclosure--and also to just hammer home a point I like to make--if you are hired as the result of an internal referral (in other words, via networking), the person who referred you (Pam) gets a bonus. That's her firm's policy. Make her take you out to lunch.

Litigation Project Manager (Paralegal)
The Indianapolis headquarters of the nation’s largest transportation law firm with offices
located in major cities throughout the United States has an opening for a full-time
Litigation Project Manager to assist the Firm’s growing class-action defense practice.
The candidate will work under the supervision of senior class-action litigators that
helm the practice to provide case-management services for the many pending matters
the Firm is handling. Those services will include (among others): (1) tracking and updating
internal case dockets; (2) preparing and updating internal Firm reports; (3) monitoring
case budgets; (4) drafting correspondence, routine discovery requests and responses,
and non-substantive pleadings; (5) coordinating the use of technology platforms to make
the practice more efficient; and (6) preparing for and participating in regular practicelevel
and case-specific strategy sessions. A qualified candidate will also have the ability
to professionally and promptly interact with clients and other firm personnel, and safeguard
the confidentiality of client information. Strong organizational skills are a must.
The position’s responsibilities will also require the ability to operate Microsoft Office
applications and current case-management technologies. Finally, qualified candidates
must be motivated and accountable, with excellent communication skills, good organizational
and time management skills, and a team-player attitude.
Education and Certification
 Formal legal training resulting, at a minimum, in a Certificate of Completion
of Paralegal Course of Study from an accredited college or university,
or Associate or Bachelor Degree from an accredited college or university;

 8 or more years’ experience in a law firm (or comparable experience in an
in-house position) performing paralegal and project-management duties;
 Familiarity with complex litigation (i.e., class actions, MDL, mass torts).
Duties and primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to
 Communicate with lawyers in class-action practice to facilitate completion
of litigation updates along with communication regarding case status
and deadlines
 Coordinate with clients to obtain electronically-stored information (“ESI”)
along with intake of ESI and other discovery documents into the Firm’s
litigation technology applications
 Assist with drafting of correspondence, routine discovery requests and responses,
litigation hold documents, case intake forms, and non-substantive
pleadings
 Responsibility for coordinating administrative aspects of discovery process
in cases with secretarial staff, including deposition notices, scheduling
of court reporters, payment of court reporter invoices, ingesting deposition
transcripts into Firm’s technology applications, and assembly of exhibit
binders 
 Provide assistance to other Firm employees as needed to maximize use of
Firm’s document management system, document review software, and legal
docketing/calendaring software in the class action practice group
 Preparation of correspondence, legal documents and routine pleadings;
 Complete daily billing time records in an accurate and timely manner;
 Adhere to strict confidentiality standards (keeps confidential all information
concerning firm matters and clients);
 Assist with other duties as appropriate;
 Perform other duties, responsibilities and special projects as assigned.
Success Factors
Personal characteristics that will contribute to success in this position are a strong
work ethic and personal integrity; a strong a high degree of attention to detail; ability to
effectively work in a team environment; ability to maintain confidential information;
creativity and initiative; ability to multi-task and remain calm under pressure; and ability
to be flexible.
Resumes with previous law firm experience will be considered first. Compensation for
this position will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. Send resume
and cover letter to hr@scopelitis.com. An Equal Opportunity Employer. 

Your Chance to Live the Dream!

Pam's firm (yes, that Pam!) is looking for a paralegal. No, you wouldn't be working directly with Pam, as the opening is for the firm's Indianapolis office, and Pam works in Milwaukee. But it's pretty darned close! Given the experience requirement, this opportunity would be better suited to one of our illustrious alums (but we know we can always TRY for jobs we don't have ALL the qualifications for, right?). Still, it gives you an idea of where things can lead.

Transportation/Corporate Paralegal A law firm in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana, with offices strategically located in major cities throughout the United States, has an opening for a full-time Transportation/Corporate Paralegal. The candidate will work under the supervision of the attorney(s) to whom they are assigned and will provide typical paralegal services. Those services include the preparation of correspondence, legal documents, and routine pleadings; analysis of pleadings, correspondence, and other legal documents; computerized research, including Westlaw, Lexis, and the Internet. The candidate must have the ability to maintain positive contact with clients and other firm personnel and retain confidentiality of client and firm matters. Strong organizational and prioritization skills are also a must. Position responsibilities will require ability to efficiently and accurately operate personal computer utilizing Microsoft Word and Juris timekeeping software. Candidates should be motivated and accountable, with excellent communication skills, good organizational and time management skills, as well as be a team player.

Education and Certification  Formal legal training resulting, at a minimum, in a Certificate of Completion of Paralegal Course of Study from an accredited college or university, or Associate or Bachelor Degree from an accredited college or university;  3-5 years’ experience in a law firm performing paralegal duties;

Duties and primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to  Preparation of correspondence, legal documents and routine pleadings;  Ability to draft routine pleadings with minimal instructions;  Ability to handle complex case management;  Analysis of pleadings, correspondence, and other legal documents;  Computerized research, including Westlaw, Lexis, and the Internet;  Complete daily billing time records in an accurate and timely manner;  Has good familiarity with, or ability to acquire familiarity with, the legal terminology and legal research tools pertinent to the area(s) of law to which assigned;  Produce a quality work product;  Develop and maintain positive working relationships (treats clients, coworkers and visitors with respect; is courteous and helpful in all contacts; maintains professionalism under pressure);  Communicate effectively (able to clearly express ideas/opinions; uses appropriate and effective communication methods; deals with firm employees and clients openly and honestly; is receptive and attentive to communication/feedback from clients);  Demonstrate initiative (contributes new ideas, is self-motivated, obtains/maintains a working knowledge of relevant practice areas/clients);  Demonstrate organizational skills and effective use of time (ability to plan daily work, set priorities and manage time to ensure work is timely and efficiently completed);  Demonstrate flexibility (willing to adjust to changes in job requirements and scheduling);  Exhibit dependability (is present and prepared for work as scheduled, appropriately uses time off policies, schedules lunch and breaks according to team needs);  Adhere to strict confidentiality standards (keeps confidential all information concerning firm matters and clients);  Assist with other duties as appropriate;  Perform other duties, responsibilities and special projects as assigned.

Success Factors Personal characteristics that will contribute to success in this position are a strong work ethic and personal integrity; high degree of attention to detail; ability to effectively work in a team environment; ability to maintain confidential information; creativity and initiative; ability to multi-task and remain calm under pressure; and ability to be flexible. Resumes with previous law firm experience will be considered first. Compensation for this position will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. Send resume and cover letter to hr@scopelitis.com. An Equal Opportunity Employer.

What They REALLY Want Is a Paralegal

I spotted the following job opening at the Tippecanoe County website yesterday:

Position:  Part Time Communication Officer

Location:  Lafayette, IN

POSITION:                 Communication Officer  DEPARTMENT:        Sheriff/E 911 SALARY:                    up to $16.30 per hour   ESSENTIAL DUTIES:    Receives emergency calls, gathers maximum amount of information in minimum amount of time, determines appropriate response, and dispatches Department officers and other emergency personnel, such as Indiana State Police, Emergency Medical Services, and Fire.  Receives non-emergency calls, determines nature of call, responds to inquiries, routes caller to appropriate person, takes messages, or dispatches personnel, such as County and State Highway, Animal Control and Conservation Officers, wreckers, Coroner and Child Protective Services.  Monitors radio frequency activities of various other law enforcement and public safety agencies within the county and surrounding counties, and notifies and/or dispatches local emergency personnel as situations demand.  Regularly communicates with field units, assessing unit safety and need for backup, dispatching backup units and other emergency personnel as necessary.  Receives teletypes pertaining to, but not limited to, criminal histories, driver’s licenses, vehicle registrations, gun permits, runaways, missing persons, and stolen property.  Maintains accurate records/logs of all complaints, restraining and protective orders, and warrants served and recalled.  Maintains complete and accurate log of all radio traffic calls, assigns unit(s), follow up on disposition of call, and enters information on log sheet.  Answers alarms and dispatches police officers for local businesses and residences.  May clock jail personnel in/out, and periodically assist with jail operations in absence of Jail Officers and/or Matron, such as monitoring security cameras, operating control board, communicating with inmates and booking female detainees.  Periodically attends prescribed training programs as required.  Dispatches notices regarding Fire and EMS training and meetings.  Performs related duties as assigned.   JOB REQUIREMENTS: High school diploma or GED.  Ability to acquire/maintain required certifications, including IDACS Communications, Emergency Medical Dispatch, and First Responder/CPR.  Ability to meet all Department hiring and retention requirements, including incumbent not posing a direct threat to the health and safety of other individuals in the work place.  Working knowledge of and ability to make practical application of customary practices, procedures, rules and regulations of the Department and County, and area law enforcement, EMS and fire demands.  Ability to accurately record all information as required.  Ability to maintain confidentiality of Department information as required.  Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and ability to type with speed and accuracy and properly use assigned equipment, including radio console, computer, typewriter, fax machine, Enhanced 911 system, intercom phone, Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD), copier, tape recorder, dictaphone, and paging systems.  Ability to physically perform the essential duties of the position, including sitting for long periods with little or no opportunity for breaks during shift, and above average split-ear hearing with ability to decipher information received simultaneously.  Ability to effectively listen, comprehend, and communicate with co-workers, other County departments, various law enforcement agencies and emergency response agencies, and the public during varied emergency and non-emergency situations, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities and disabilities.  Ability to successfully and professionally obtain proper information, take control of hysterical, hostile, and/or misinformed individuals, and clearly and calmly respond during emergency/stressful situations.  Ability to take authoritative action as situations demand, appropriately dispatch personnel, condense large amount of information into coherent remarks.  Thorough knowledge of County geography and ability to use and understand maps.  Working knowledge of and ability to properly use radio frequencies, codes, procedures and limitations, and a variety of acronyms and codes.  Ability to work alone and with others in a team environment with minimum supervision and work on several tasks at the same time, often under time pressure.  Ability to work irregular, evening, weekend, and/or extended hours as directed or required. *   *   *   *   * Those yellow-highlighted sections just scream Paralegal to me. That's what we work on here. Not posing a direct threat to the health and safety of other individuals in the workplace? Well, that's on you. If you're interested, apply via the Tippecanoe County website. (You're paralegal students--YOU find it.) If you're interested in a part-time job that does not explicitly require you to avoid posing a direct threat to your coworkers, the courthouse is looking for another paralegal student or two. Contact me to apply for that.

Job Opportunities

Continuing this week's theme, it appears....

Please let me know if you are looking for a job. Include whether you are looking for something part- or full-time, what you would like to do, and where you would like to be. (Alumni, too.)

A Few Words about Jobs/Careers, Recommendations, etc.

It does seem to be that season where there's a general shuffling going on among lawyers and paralegals, and I am fielding more than the usual requests for recommendations from both sides. This makes it a good time to point out a few of my views about all of the above. I feel like I harp on this in class, but maybe not. Or maybe it's just handy to have in a written form that you can look at when it feels pertinent. These are, on the whole, my opinion, and my opinion only--but I think you'll find that many of them aren't far off the common opinion among professionals.

• You are not entitled to a recommendation from me or anyone else. No. You are not. It is a favor. You should treat it like you are asking a favor, which, in fact, you are. Ask for a reference. Do not demand ("I need a reference!"), do not announce ("I listed you as a reference"). Ask. Respect that person's time, and give him or her two weeks' notice, if possible. And if the person you asked for a reference turns you down, accept the answer graciously. Do not ask why not unless (1) you can do so politely; and (2) you genuinely want the answer and will be able to accept it. 
• It appears to be a trend among employers to send out online questionnaires to people listed as references. I understand that this may catch you off guard as well, and you may not be able to give the suggested two weeks' advance notice. Okay. These don't take nearly as much time as a carefully drafted letter of recommendation, so that's fair. On the other hand, if I happen to be up to my ears when one of those arrives in my email, I may not get to it. That's fair, too. Sorry!
• I am of the firm opinion that you should stick with a job for two years if it is humanly possible unless there is illegal activity involved on the employer's part. (Illegal activity includes sexual harassment; google Uber for examples. Lots of examples. Wow.) If you would like to switch jobs sooner than that, I cannot and will not stop you. Go for it. I wish you well. (And obviously, if you are offered a much better position less than two years in, take it!) On the other hand, I am uncomfortable being listed as a reference for someone who gives the distinct impression that he or she will head for the door at the first twinge of unhappiness. Please do not put me in that position. 
• You are my current or former students, and I adore you. Your would-be employers are my colleagues, and I respect them. I am happy to help you ... up to the point that I feel doing so would be disrespectful to my colleagues. I know how hard attorneys work, and how much a great staff member can help. I also know how much someone with attitude or attendance  issues can undermine an office. I will not knowingly put a fellow attorney in an uncomfortable position. That would be unprofessional on my part, and none of us would benefit if I were to abandon my professional reputation.

Now, get out there and make me proud!

Job Opportunities Abounding

There are currently a couple of part-time job opportunities posted on the Tippecanoe County website, and a full-time one that has been posted (or will be soon) on the Montgomery County website.

Also, I spoke to a local attorney yesterday who raved about how pleased their firm is with their Ivy Tech-educated paralegals. (Grammatical error intentional.) They will let me know about future job openings. (They anticipate 1-2 sometime over the course of this year.)

I LOVE hearing good things about you--both current students and alumni. You all make me look good, you make each other look good, but most importantly, you make yourselves look good.

Keep it up!

Ivy Tech Career Tips Site

Ivy Tech has a site with tips on finding a job or internship. There are videos, for those of you opposed to reading. 😊 And they seem pretty good. (I have to admit that I only watched for a minute or two.) Here's the link:

http://www.careerspots.com/newplayer/default.aspx?key=KDDt_uA_67AxO05aFENMKw2&src=VLI& 

A Word from the Career Development Office

Those of you who have taken my classes know how proud I am of our program's placement rate. But I also know that there's always that little bit of panic--What if I'm the one student who can't get a job? Also, there are many of you who have not taken my classes (which means you are taking online classes, as I am difficult to avoid in person), and you may want a little more guidance as to career options. Hire Ivy Days are for you. Yes, it does mean you need to drop by campus in the flesh. But there is popcorn....

FREE POPCORN DURING HIRE IVY DAYS!

Hire Ivy Days will take place on January 24 & 25 in the Grand Hall 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Stop by the table in the Grand Hall for some freshly popped popcorn and information about what Career Development can do for you!