Litigation Paralegal 2year term Asian Americans Advancing Justice

ASIAN AMERICANS ADVANCING JUSTICE-AAJC, Inc.; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Competitive salary

Dental insurance

Flexible schedule

Health insurance

Home office stipend

Paid time off

Parental leave

Training & development

Vision insurance

Wellness resources

Job summary

A nonprofit organization dedicated to civil rights is seeking a Litigation Paralegal to provide essential research and administrative support for litigation efforts. Located in Washington, D.C., this full-time position involves assisting with various legal tasks, managing logistics, and supporting fundraising activities. Qualified candidates should have a Bachelor's degree and a minimum of four years of paralegal experience, alongside strong communication and organizational skills.

Qualifications

• At least four years of paralegal or litigation support experience.
• Experience with civil litigation and the federal court system.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and balance competing assignments.

Responsibilities

• Assist attorneys with legal and factual research.
• Provide general logistical and administrative support.
• Collaborate with attorneys to maintain accurate litigation calendars.

Skills

Legal research

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Detail-oriented

Familiarity with BlueBook citation format

Microsoft Office

Litigation software

Asian language fluency

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

PACER/ECF

Litigation software (e.g., Litera)

Legal research tools (e.g., LexisNexis)

Job description

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Competitive salary
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Home office stipend
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Training & development
• Vision insurance
• Wellness resources

Organizational Profile: Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC (AAJC) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1991. Our mission is to advance the civil and human rights of Asian Americans and to build and promote a fair and equitable society for all. For more than 30 years, we have served as the leading Asian American voice on civil rights issues in our nation’s capital – fighting for the rights of our communities through policy advocacy, litigation, research, public education, and community engagement.

Based in Washington, DC, Advancing Justice | AAJC is a member of the Asian Americans Advancing Justice affiliation. With affiliates in Atlanta, Chicago, and Southern California, we work together as equal, independent partners under one name, speaking with one unified voice to promote justice, empower our communities, and strengthen our multiracial democracy.

Title: Litigation Paralegal ("Paralegal")

Reports to: Senior Director and Assistant Director of Litigation

Term: Immediately; Two‑year Term

Status: Full‑time, Exempt Employee, 40 hours/week

Salary: $70,000‑$80,000

Location: Washington, D.C.

This position is included in a union‑represented collective bargaining unit and subject to its terms and conditions.

Position Summary

The Paralegal, a member of the Litigation team, will provide research, administrative, and logistical support as the team identifies, develops, and litigates impact cases advancing the civil and human rights of Asian Americans. The docket includes, but is not limited to, civil rights cases focusing on immigration/immigrant rights (including family reunification), voting rights, and educational equity (Higher Education and K‑12). The Paralegal collaborates with programmatic and operational teams to advance AAJC’s mission through litigation.

Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities

• Assist attorneys with legal and factual research, including tracking legislation and monitoring activity in the Federal Register and the Congressional Record.
• Provide general logistical and administrative support: facilitate court filings, process invoices, track time and expenses/case costs, draft correspondence, and handle travel arrangements.
• Maintain and create case files, department databases, and other organizational systems.
• Perform cite‑check, bluebook formatting, proofreading, and formatting of litigation documents to ensure accuracy and compliance with court rules.
• Prepare legal advocacy materials such as administrative comments, substantive advocacy letters, and white papers.
• Coordinate litigation logistics: filings, depositions, service of process, courtesy copy delivery, and other support.
• Collaborate with attorneys to maintain accurate litigation calendars reflecting deadlines and appearance dates.
• Communicate and coordinate scheduling with potential clients, community partners, pro‑bono counsel, coalitional partners, AAJC affiliate partners, and others.
• Attend coalition, client interviews, and case meetings; assist with note‑taking as requested.
• Assist with case discovery, including document collection and review.
• Help handle attorney appearances, admissions, and PACER/ECF accounts.
• Contact court personnel, attorneys, and advocates as appropriate.
• Provide logistical, administrative, and document‑management support for hearings and trials.
• Collaborate with staff across the organization, including Communications, Community Engagement, Development, Finance, and Operations.
• Assist with the development of community education tools: webinars, trainings, and Know Your Rights (KYR) materials.
• Engage in the development and implementation of Community Partners’ Network strategies, tactics, and activities on litigation issues as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Fundraising

• Support fundraising activities and events, grant development and management, and relationships with funders and supporters.
• Work with the Senior Director and Assistant Director of Litigation, and the finance and development teams to craft project budgets and help develop grant proposals related to litigation.
• Assist in providing content/information for donor communications and materials (newsletters, action alerts, special reports from the executive director, social media postings, etc.).

General AAJC Roles

• Live and exhibit the AAJC values by contributing to an environment that promotes trust, teamwork, and transparency among staff, board, National Advisory Council, affiliates, and community partners.
• Contribute to, establish, and follow policies and procedures, including maintenance of confidentiality, to ensure that AAJC principles are implemented.
• Participate in and lead decision‑making processes, understand outcomes, and be accountable for decisions made in or affecting your program area.
• Understand and apply AAJC values and principles fully in work responsibilities.
• Participate in other activities and serve on ad‑hoc committees as requested.
• Attend and contribute to AAJC and Board of Directors meetings as requested.
• Be available to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends.

Educational and Professional Experience

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least four years of paralegal or litigation support experience (e.g., legal assistant).
• Experience with and knowledge of civil litigation and the federal court system.
• Experience working with diverse groups from various sectors, including individuals with limited English proficiency, community‑based organizations, national policy organizations, and government.
• Experience navigating the litigation process with limited resources and capacity.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Ability to meet internal and external deadlines in a fast‑paced, rapidly changing environment.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and balance competing assignments.
• Ability to develop systems/processes for a growing litigation team.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Excellent writing, research, and communication skills.
• Dependable and detail‑oriented, with excellent organizational and time‑management skills.
• Familiarity with BlueBook citation format.
• Expertise with Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, PACER/ECF, litigation software (e.g., Litera), and legal research tools (e.g., LexisNexis).
• Ability to work effectively in case teams, including with co‑counsel from other civil rights organizations and pro‑bono counsel.
• Experience and knowledge of Asian American and/or civil and human rights issues preferred.
• Asian language fluency is a plus.

Application Process

Send separate attachments for cover letter, resume, and a short writing sample to Hiring Manager at [e-mail] or 1620 L Street NW, Suite 1050, Washington, DC 20036. Applications with all three items attached will be considered. Offers will be extended based upon satisfactory reference checks.

Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC is an equal opportunity employer.

Flexible work from home options available.