Paralegal

                                      Paralegal

Job Description

Department:                        Legal

Employment Type:             Full-time

Location:                               Houston

Supervisory:                         No

Union position:                    Yes

Pay Grade:                           L1 (60,000 -84,000)

Pay Class:                             Non-exempt

The ACLU is the nation’s foremost defender of civil liberties and civil rights, dedicated to defending the Bill of Rights and advocating for marginalized communities through litigation, legislation, and public education. The ACLU of Texas, founded in 1938 and headquartered in Houston, is one of the largest ACLU affiliates in the nation. The ACLU of Texas has regional offices in Austin, Brownsville, Dallas, and El Paso.

Whether it’s protecting the rights of immigrants, ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBT community, or preserving the right to vote and reproductive rights, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil rights and liberties cases to defend all people from government abuse and overreach.

The ACLU of Texas seeks a full-time Paralegal to provide strategic support and coordination for the Legal Department. They will assist in the identification, research, investigation, and response to civil liberties and civil rights violations. Additionally, they will help manage legal filings and provide administrative support for the Department. This position requires a self-directed, highly organized person with energy, initiative, and enthusiasm.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist in case management, including maintenance of court records, case calendars and electronic files.

• Assist in client relationship communications and management, such as providing clients with updates and helping coordinate discovery materials.

• Anticipate, identify and execute litigation tasks in case management including but not limited to calendaring case deadlines and organizing case files.

• Provide support for factual development of cases and for legal advocacy related to potential civil liberties/rights violations, including handling on-site interviews of clients and witnesses, drafting affidavits, assisting with intake, and other factual development.

• Prepare and finalize court documents, like motions, briefs, and complaints, for filing and ensure timely filing in state and federal court.

•Assist with management and preparation of discovery requests and responses, as appropriate.

• Manage litigation support for court hearings and trial.

• Assist with drafting and responding to legal letters, such as Freedom of Information Act and Public Information Act requests, and other correspondence, as needed.

• Perform general paralegal work, including preparing documents for filing in court, cite-checking, proof reading, running tables, and using PACER & Westlaw with minimal supervision.

• Prepare reports, including but not limited to metrics, and maintain legal docket for board of directors.

• Assist in general department administrative support such as coordinating logistics for court hearings, arranging staff travel for court appearances and department and organization events as needed.

• Assist team with non-litigation advocacy projects in which the legal department is involved, such as but not limited to producing reports, writing and presenting testimony, and developing and conducting Know Your Rights materials and presentations.

• Opportunities to conduct media interviews are available for those who are interested.

• Provide patience, leadership, and training to less experienced litigation support staff.

REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum 3-years of experience as paralegal with litigation support.

• Commitment to civil rights and civil liberties.

• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and handle a variety of tasks simultaneously and meet established deadlines.

• Demonstrated ability to complete general paralegal tasks with minimal supervision.

• Capable of filing court documents in federal and/or Texas state courts. Knowledge of both filing systems is preferred but if applicant has knowledge of only one system, state court knowledge is preferred.

• Well-organized, efficient, able to work independently and highly motivated.

• Proficiency with Adobe Pro, Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Experience with Clio, Relativity, EverLaw, PACER, Westlaw, Docketbird and/or Best Authority is preferred but not required.

• Strong research skills, in both traditional and online methods preferred.

• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills and ability to work in a fast-paced workplace.

• Knowledge of diverse groups, experience working with a multicultural workforce.

• Sensitivity to and appreciation of cultural differences is required.

• Bachelor’s degree or paralegal certification required.

• Proficient in written and spoken Spanish preferred but not required.

• Willingness and ability to travel.

• Residence in Houston is preferred but not required.

COMPENSATION

Starting salary is $60,000 - $66,000. Excellent benefits include a generous Paid Time Off policy, medical, dental and vision insurance; 401(k) plan with an employer match; life and long-term disability insurance, and generous paid holidays.

The ACLU of Texas is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU of Texas 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.