Paralegal/Policy Assistant

The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is one of the nation’s leading national racial justice legal organizations. Formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy, the Lawyers’ Committee uses legal advocacy to achieve racial justice, fighting inside and outside the courts to ensure that Black people and other people of color have the voice, opportunity, and power to make the promises of our democracy real.

 

The Lawyers’ Committee fights for racial justice through impact litigation, public policy, and public education programs in the substantive areas of criminal justice, digital justice, economic justice, educational opportunities, fair housing, community development, and voting rights and election protection. 

 

Policy Assistants and Paralegals/legal assistants help Lawyers’ Committee attorneys and staff with general administrative support related to litigation, advocacy, policy projects, public education, and other activities. This position will work with the Public Policy Project and one or more substantive project area, based on need, and will work closely with the project teams.

Persons with a paralegal certificate will have a paralegal in their title (Policy Assistant and Paralegal) whereas those who do not will have legal assistant in their title (Policy Assistant and Legal Assistant).

This position works under the supervision of the Deputy Chief Counsel and Public Policy Director.  

The core responsibilities of the paralegal/policy assistant position at the Lawyers’ Committee include, but are not limited to:

·   Manage and organize case files, case dockets, and litigation calendars. Includes meticulous management of electronic case files, and management of ECF and Pacer accounts.

·   Manage, organize, and archive public policy files, including testimony, letters, reports, policy briefs, fact sheets, and talking points.

·   Provide support for editing, production, and filing of briefs, exhibits, legislative testimony, and other documents, including formatting, proofreading, and cite-checking, as well as tables of authorities and public education tools.

·   Under the direction of attorneys, manage administrative and logistical aspects of litigation, such as organizing discovery requests and responses, coordinating depositions, scheduling meetings, etc.

·   Prepare and proofread routine legal and policy documents.

·   Stay informed about court rules, local rules, and internal court operating procedures, including deadlines.

·   Provide administrative and other support for hearings, trials, oral arguments, congressional testimony, and other speaking engagements.

·   Conduct factual research, including through public records requests and access to databases.

·   Research and analyze demographic data.

·   Use electronic/online systems to obtain cases and pleadings in matters related to LCCRUL work.

·   Prepare internal reports, including, as requested, weekly updates, board books, the information needed for grants and development, lobbying hours tracking, and updates to tracking of projects and issues.

·   In coordination with project staff and the Communications team, provide text to update relevant web pages.

·   Coordinate, manage, and track communications with partners, co-counsel, amici, coalition partners, etc.

·   Provide support for, and schedule, events, and meetings. Attend and take notes at policy-related meetings, including coalition taskforce meetings.

·   Coordinate with accounting to ensure timely submission and processing of timesheets, travel, and other expenses, including attorney bar/court memberships.

·   Other duties and special projects as assigned.

·   Some travel may be required.

·   Deep commitment to the Lawyers’ Committee’s racial justice and civil rights mission.

·   At least one year of experience in a related position, preferably policy assistant or litigation paralegal/legal assistant. 

·   Bachelor’s degree and paralegal certificate are strongly preferred.

·   Excellent communications skills, including the ability to regularly communicate with multiple internal and external stakeholders.

·   Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to multi-task and prioritize work to ensure timely completion.

·   Demonstrated strong writing and editing skills, and the demonstrated ability to review and synthesize factual information.

·   Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

·   Proficiency in Office 365 and its apps, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, as well as video communication formats (Teams, Zoom, etc.)

·   Experience in and proficiency in learning databases, program management software, and other tools. Knowledge of Asana, PACER, ECF, and relational case management databases is a plus.

·   Experience in analyzing demographic data is a plus.

·   Experience working in diverse environments, and demonstrated experience working with and for communities of color and/or low-income communities

To Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume, including graduation completion dates. 

No calls will be accepted. The position will remain open until filled, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Salary and benefits are competitive for a nonprofit legal organization. Staff Benefits include Employer Sponsored (Medical, Dental, and Group Life & AD&D); Voluntary Benefits (Vision Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and Supplemental Life) coverage; the opportunity to participate in the 403(b) Retirement Plan, Voluntary Flexible Spending (Medical and Dependent Care) and Stipends (Cell Phone and Commuter/Parking Benefits); 12 paid Holidays; and Vacation/Sick days.