About the Community Economic Defense Project and CED Law
The COVID-19 pandemic triggered unprecedented eviction risk for U.S. renters, and we formed the Community Economic Defense Project (CEDP) in April 2020 as a direct response. Over the past few years, our community organizing project evolved into a large housing stability organization that operates a continuum of eviction and displacement prevention care. Our mission is to Keep Coloradans Housed. We do this by helping to prevent mass evictions and homelessness.
Born out of the COVID-19 pandemic, which triggered unprecedented eviction risk for U.S. renters. Nationwide, the law firm and housing stability fund that make up CEDP will continue to operate and deepen their ties to Colorado renters facing eviction.
CEDP offers a “continuum care” approach to eviction prevention that centers the legal and financial needs of housing-insecure families and uses a variety of tools to keep them housed. The project brings together housing lawyers, economists, data analysts, policy-experts, organizers, and technologists to provide four services:
- Rental Assistance: through the Colorado Stability Fund, we leverage public funds to pay back and future rent, reinstate leases, and avert evictions through rental debt settlements.
- Legal Services: For complicated cases with additional legal issues or difficult landlords, CEDP offers eviction defense services, paired with rental assistance dollars, to encourage settlement or stabilize tenancies and represent tenants in court when negotiation does not work.
- Rehousing and Case Management: Where legal services do not work, we provide rehousing support services through ERA funding and agency referrals.
- Policy: More broadly, we go case to cause. We work with our clients to tell their stories and amplify their voices into policy change. For example, In the 2020-2021 legislative session, for example, we drafted and, in coalition with other stakeholders and community organizations, passed the renters’ rights legislation that caps late fees, penalizes abusive landlords, and gives Coloradans access to the warranty of habitability without paying a bond.
As our team continues to scale our services at risk of eviction, we are also beginning to build a comprehensive economic, legal, and policy response to mortgage foreclosure across Colorado. Similar to CEDP’s work on rental housing, this effort will seek to provide homeowners at risk of foreclosure with a continuum of care that includes navigation and advisory services, targeted payments, legal support, and the ability to participate in advocacy.
More about the Senior Paralegal Position
Our practice is seeking a full-time Paralegal, who will work primarily remotely but must be available for in-person obligations in the Denver Metro Area. This immediate opening is for a Paralegal with civil litigation experience and a desire to defend homeowners facing foreclosure. The ideal candidate will be organized, possess excellent verbal and written communication skills, be able to multitask and prioritize in a fast-paced, high-volume office environment, and be capable of making independent decisions. Strong research and investigation skills and comfort working in complex legal and financial fields will be necessary.
Senior Paralegal Responsibilities:
- Conducting client intake interviews, mostly remotely, but some meetings are in person
- Preparing, proofreading, and filing affidavits, legal correspondence, pleadings, motions and other documents for attorneys
- Consistently and accurately updating the firm’s internal case management system
- Providing exceptional customer service to clients at every level of interaction
- Meeting with clients, attorneys, and other professionals to talk about case details, while most work is remote, some meetings are in-person
- Helping prepare for trial by organizing exhibits and assisting with other tasks as needed
- Preparing briefs, discovery, contracts, pleadings, appeals, and other legal documents
- Investigating facts and laws of cases and searching public records and other resources to prepare cases
- Directing and coordinating law office activity, including delivery of subpoenas
- Gathering and analyzing statutes, decisions, and legal articles. Codes, documents and other data
- Providing regular and timely client status updates, as well as continual follow-up on outstanding documents and or services
- Keeping track of changes in legal framework and providing timely updates on these changes
Senior Paralegal Requirements:
- Certificate of completion from an ABA-approved paralegal certification program of education and training, an associate degree in paralegal studies, extensive (2+ years) experience as a paralegal, or other equivalent relevant experience
- Preferably 2+ years of foreclosure, bankruptcy, or experience in a related legal field
- Proficient with Microsoft Office, specifically Outlook, Word, and Excel
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Excellent organizational skills
- Must be able to effectively multi-task, manage time-sensitive documents and have exceptional organizational skills in a fast-paced environment
- Must be able to function effectively in a busy, team-oriented environment
- Office administration experience
- Familiarity with legal research tools
- Other language skills not required but are a strong plus and eligible for additional stipend
- As our work is, from time-to-time, in person, and to protect the health and safety of our employees and the health and safety of the clients with whom we interact, a current COVID-19 vaccination is required.
Equal Opportunity:
CED Law is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Benefits & Compensation
- Salary grade – $65,000 per year
- Benefits include health, vision, dental, 4 weeks paid vacation, short-term and long-term disability, and 401K
To Apply
Please click on the “apply” button on this page and submit your application online.