Paralegal

JOB SUMMARY

The Paralegal provides litigation and administrative support to the ACLU of Virginia’s legal team. This includes, but is not limited to, preparing litigation documents for filing, maintaining files and records, and assisting in case development. The Paralegal also helps administer the ACLU of Virginia’s intake process by reviewing requests for assistance, updating the intake and case management databases, and providing appropriate responses or referrals as needed.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Litigation and Legal Advocacy Support

• Provide paralegal support for a wide range of federal, state, and administrative litigation, including impact litigation, complex class-action litigation, appeals, and amicus briefs;
• Assist in case management, including maintenance of electronic files, physical files, court records, and litigation calendars; anticipate and identify potential litigation tasks and prepare accordingly;
• Prepare, format, file, and serve legal documents; assist with finalizing pleadings and exhibits; and prepare discovery requests and responses, as appropriate;
• Coordinate all logistics for depositions, client meetings or phone calls, service of process, courtesy copy delivery, and other litigation support;
• Draft legal letters, advocacy letters, demand letters, FOIA requests, and other correspondence, as requested, and manage responses;
• Cite check pleadings and/or other court submissions, as requested; and
• Handle general administrative duties including processing invoices, tracking case expenses and costs, preparing expense reports, assisting with travel arrangements, and ordering supplies.

Legal Intake Support

• Administer the ACLU-VA’s legal intake process as well as the process for tracking and responding to other requests for assistance received from national ACLU, other ACLU affiliates, community organizations, and/or private attorneys;
• Provide support for the Legal Intake Assistant, including helping them with the review of intakes and providing them with support and guidance; 
• Analyze flagged complaints about civil liberties and civil rights violations, as provided by the Legal Intake Assistant, and recommend further action based on criteria established by the legal team;
• Ensure intake sources receive an appropriate response as directed by the decision of the legal team, the Legal Director, and/or the Executive Director;  
• Research and update, as necessary, potential referral resources, rejection and referral letter templates, and intake and referral information provided on the ACLU-VA website;
• In collaboration with the Legal Director or their designee and Legal Intake Assistant, update, as necessary, our legal intake manual, documenting the legal intake process and policies for the ACLU-VA; and
• In collaboration with the Legal Intake Assistant, flag intakes which may be relevant to existing or developing advocacy or communications strategies; work with attorneys to facilitate any follow up with the intake source and share information with other ACLU-VA staff as directed.

Legal Program Support

• Participate in case selection and development, as requested, by assisting the legal team with factual research, interviewing clients and potential witnesses, gathering information, and preparing internal memoranda;
• In collaboration with communications staff, prepare and maintain webpages on the ACLU-VA website for each active legal case or project, and ensure the web page narrative and attached materials for each case are up-to-date and accurate;
• Coordinate all aspects of legal team events (e.g., securing locations, confirming speakers, handling logistics, and producing materials);
• In collaboration with the legal team, coordinate efforts to build relationships with new cooperating attorneys and develop pro bono resources through targeted, pro-active outreach with appropriate law firm contacts;
• In collaboration with the legal team, provide input on potential legal advocacy strategies;
• Assist in the implementation of legal program policies, procedures, and systems – such as the intake and case selection process; case management process; paper and electronic filing systems; and legal docket;
• Participate in the review and consideration of intakes and other requests for assistance received by the ACLU-VA; conduct research or factual follow-up as necessary, and propose and/or consider recommendations for additional action;
• Assist in the development, as appropriate, of staff training sessions, workshops, continuing legal education events, and other events on specific issues; and
• Complete any other administrative duties as may be necessary for the continuing operation and function of the legal team.

SALARY RANGE: The salary range for this position is $56,000 to $73,272, with a midpoint of $64,636. To preserve the opportunity for advancement, we do not typically hire above the mid-point of the range. In addition, we offer excellent benefits including paid time off, generous paid holidays, a 401k plan with employer contribution, flexible spending account, paid medical, dental, and vision insurance, 50% employer-paid dependent medical coverage, life insurance, annual sick leave, short-term and long-term disability insurance, and professional development allowances. 

DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this job description restricts the Executive Director's right to assign other duties or responsibilities to this job at any time.

The ACLU of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from Black, Indigenous, and other people of color, immigrants, people with disabilities, bi- or multi-lingual (including Indigenous languages) speakers, multi-cultural individuals, members of the LGBTQ community, those who have been formerly incarcerated or are currently under supervision, and other people from underrepresented and historically marginalized groups. We seek to build a diverse team and an inclusive organizational culture. All qualified applicants who share our vision and who have a desire to contribute to our mission are encouraged to apply. 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• This position must reside within commuting distance of our downtown Richmond office and will be expected to be present in the Richmond office as much as the job requirements demand.
• A paralegal certificate from an accredited program, or equivalent experience in a law practice handling litigation in state and/or federal court.
• A commitment to the mission and values of the ACLU-VA, and to racial justice and civil rights issues and an understanding that these issues are central to overall protection of civil liberties.
• Experience exercising discretion and confidentiality with sensitive information.· Experience with case management, preparing and filing legal papers in court, and preparing and managing discovery.
• Proficiency with office technology and information systems, including databases, case management software, digital legal research sources, online communications, and word processing.· Willingness and availability to work occasional evenings, weekends, and/or overtime as necessary.
• Willingness and ability to travel locally in Richmond and throughout Virginia, and occasionally to other states for conferences and training.
• A commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, to refrain from unlawful discrimination and to comply fully with all applicable laws; a personal approach that values the individual and respects differences of race, ethnicity and national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ability and socio-economic circumstance, and ability to work with diverse individuals within the organization and broader community.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Strong self-motivation, ability to work independently, and demonstrated capacity to handle numerous deadlines and work in a fast-paced, stressful environment.
• Ability to take initiative, problem-solve, multi-task, and work independently.
• Ability to communicate with and assist people undergoing legal crises.
• Ability to delegate, manage up, and hold other staff accountable for meeting deadlines and designated responsibilities.
• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to keep track of deadlines and pay close attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills and willingness to work cooperatively on a variety of projects with a team.
• Ability to work effectively and professionally with clients, attorneys, community members, volunteers, and staff, and a commitment to the highest ethical standards and the values of the ACLU-VA.

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Ability to speak and/or write in Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Arabic or other language spoken by a language minority in Virginia.
• Basic understanding of issues related to civil liberties and civil rights.
• Knowledge of court rules (state and/or federal) and familiarity with the courts in Virginia.
• Demonstrated leadership or supervisory experience in the community, non-profit, or legal field.
• Experience working at an organization with an integrated advocacy model where legal, legislative, education and advocacy tactics are used collaboratively and cohesively to achieve results.
• Access to reliable transportation.