ABOUT THE JOB
The ACLU seeks a full-time position of Paralegal in the National Security Project of the ACLU’s National office in New York, NY.
The National Security Project fights for people and communities harmed by the government in the name of national security. Recognizing the danger of expansive claims of state power, we advocate for a robust system of checks and balances, and policies that comply with the Constitution, civil liberties, and human rights. Through the courts, Congress, and public education, we strive to ensure that people are able to participate fully in civic life and are free from discrimination, unwarranted suspicion and surveillance, unlawful force and detention, and the stigma and other injustices that result from these abuses.
Reporting to the Deputy Project Director, the Paralegal will be responsible for providing litigation and administrative support to the legal project. This includes, but is not limited to, responding to legal assistance inquires, cite checking and formatting litigation documents, and maintaining the litigation calendar and files and other litigation items.
RESPONSIBILITIES
• Provide litigation, administrative, and research support for the work of NSP attorneys
• Type, prepare, proofread, format, and cite-check legal and other documents such as briefs, motions, declarations, discovery requests and responses, and correspondence
• Provide logistical, administrative, and document management support for hearings and trials
• Review and organize documents related to Freedom of Information Act requests and discovery
• Draft, edit, and prepare affidavits, Freedom of Information Act requests, and other legal or public education documents
• Arrange for service of legal documents; prepare and serve discovery documents; research court rules and procedures
• Handle general administrative duties including processing invoices, tracking expenses and case costs, preparing expense reports, ordering supplies, etc.
• Handle travel arrangements and calendar for the Project Director and other staff
• Maintain and ensure accuracy of case files, attorneys’ correspondence files, and internal litigation tracking systems including case summaries and databases, docket, and calendar of litigation deadlines and court dates
• Provide administrative support for managers’ review of applications for open positions
• Work jointly with interns and communicate routine and/or procedural guidance on projects assigned by managers
In addition to:
• Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned
• Center principles of equity, inclusion, and belonging in all work, embedding the values in program development, policy application, and organizational practices and processes
• Commitment to the mission of the ACLU
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity within the office using a personal approach that values all individuals and respects differences in regards to race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, disability and socio-economic circumstance
• Commitment to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and/or conflicts
EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS
• Strong administrative, organizational, and time-management skills
• Solid proofreading, research, and writing skills
• Demonstrated self-starter, highly organized, and detail oriented
• Adept at managing multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, e.g., Outlook, Word, Excel, etc. and have experience with internet research
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as within a team while maintaining a high level of efficiency
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor’s degree or two years of directly relevant legal or administrative experience
• Experience with litigation support is preferred
COMPENSATION
The salary for this position is $72,674. Generous benefits package provided.
ABOUT THE ACLU
The ACLU dares to create a more perfect union – beyond one person, party, or side. Our mission is to realize this promise of the United States Constitution for all and expand the reach of its guarantees.
For over 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether it’s ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ+ community, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people from government abuse and overreach.
Equity, diversity, and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty, equality, and justice for all. We are a community committed to learning and growth, humility and grace, transparency and accountability. We believe in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people within our organization – one that respects and embraces difference; treats everyone equitably; and empowers our colleagues to do the best work possible. We are as committed to anti-oppression and anti-racism internally as we are externally. Because whether we’re in the courts or in the office, we believe ‘We the People’ means all of us.
The ACLU is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Black people, Indigenous people, people of color; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex people; women; people with disabilities, protected veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals are all strongly encouraged to apply.
The ACLU makes every effort to assure that its recruitment and employment provide all qualified persons, including persons with disabilities, with full opportunities for employment in all positions.
The ACLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please email benefits.hrdept@aclu.org. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
Receive emails for the latest jobs matching your search criteria
