By Vanessa Devis, Bilingual Paralegal, Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support
A few weeks ago, someone asked me whether there was specific schooling required to work for a nonprofit organization. More specifically, they wondered whether there was training available that could prepare someone for the challenges of serving vulnerable populations. The question made me reflect on my own experience working in the nonprofit legal sector–particularly with survivors of domestic violence.
The American Bar Association (ABA) defines a paralegal as: “A person, qualified by education, training or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible.”[1]. While this definition accurately describes the legal responsibilities of a paralegal, it does not fully capture the role paralegals play within domestic violence organizations. In these settings, paralegals often serve as much more than legal support staff. They become trusted points of contact for survivors seeking safety and stability.
The truth is that nonprofit work does not come naturally to everyone, nor is it intuitive. This is especially true when working with survivors of trauma. Direct services legal work, whether in a nonprofit or a private practice setting, is often rooted in trauma. Yet legal professionals, both attorneys and non-attorneys, rarely receive formal training in trauma informed care (depending on the nonprofit organization and/or law firm). While legal education focuses on statutes, procedures, and advocacy, it often overlooks the human realities that bring clients into the legal system.
According to National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) 2020 Utilization and Compensation Survey, only 4% of paralegals work in the nonprofit sector.[2] An even smaller percentage likely work for organizations dedicated to serving survivors of domestic violence. This makes the role particularly unique. Paralegals in domestic violence agencies operate at the intersection of law and social services, helping clients navigate complex legal systems while also addressing the emotional and practical barriers that often accompany abuse.
Working on a nonprofit legal team is both rewarding and challenging. Supporting attorneys allows paralegals to develop substantive legal skills, but the opportunity to help transform a survivor’s life is what often makes the work most meaningful. While empathy cannot be taught in a classroom, it is an essential skill for anyone serving survivors. Clients need to feel heard, respected, and validated. For many survivors, reaching out for legal assistance is one of the most difficult steps in their journey toward safety. The way a paralegal interacts with a client can significantly impact that client’s willingness to engage in the legal process.
Although attorneys are responsible for providing legal representation and developing their own relationships with clients, paralegals often build meaningful connections as well. They may be the first person a survivor speaks with, the individual who gathers sensitive information, or the staff member who communicates updates throughout the case. Through these interactions, paralegals become trusted points of consistency. It is difficult not to form a connection when working closely with individuals whose experiences are marked by fear, uncertainty, and trauma. In many ways, paralegals have become an emerging direct service presence within domestic violence organizations. Paralegals help survivors understand their legal options and act as a bridge between the legal system and the survivor, helping ensure that clients can access the relief and protections they seek.
However, this work comes with real challenges. Constant exposure to client’s traumatic experiences can lead to secondary trauma, compassion fatigue, and burnout.[3] Organizations must recognize the emotional demands placed on their legal professionals and provide adequate support, training, and wellness resources. Preventing secondary trauma is not only important for the wellbeing of staff, but also for maintaining effective and compassionate client services.
Domestic violence survivors come to legal service providers during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Through consistent support, communication, and legal assistance, paralegals have become an integral part of the domestic violence service network. As the demand for comprehensive and trauma informed services continues to grow, the role of the paralegal will remain essential in empowering survivors and promoting access to justice.
