Paralegal

Environmental Law & Policy Center; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 72,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free gym membership

Vacation, sick, and personal days

403b employer contribution/match

Job summary

The Environmental Law & Policy Center seeks a Paralegal to provide crucial support to its legal team in downtown Chicago. This role involves various administrative and technical tasks in a hybrid work environment, requiring significant experience in litigation.

Key responsibilities include document preparation, case management, and legal research to assist a talented group of public interest attorneys. The compensation is competitive, ranging from $72,000 to $78,000 annually, and includes attractive benefits.

Qualifications

• 7 or more years experience in a fast-paced litigation environment.
• Notary or willing to become a notary.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative and technical assistance to attorneys.
• Supervise active case deadlines.
• Prepare and edit documents for filing.
• Conduct factual, legal, and policy research.

Skills

Excellent computer skills with high proficiency in Microsoft Office

Strong organizational skills

Excellent communication skills

Ability to problem solve under pressure

Education

Associate degree required; Bachelor's degree preferred

Paralegal certification strongly preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

About ELPC

The Environmental Law & Policy Center is the Midwest’s leading environmental legal advocacy organization. We drive transformational policy changes with national impacts.

We show that environmental progress and economic development can be achieved together by putting sustainability principles into practice. We advance climate solutions effectively by accelerating clean renewable energy alternatives to conventional power plants and advancing clean transportation solutions. We protect the Great Lakes and defend the Midwest’s wild and natural places, and we fight for safe, clean water and healthy clean air for all. We combine effective public interest litigation with strategic policy advocacy, sound science, and economic analysis. ELPC produces strong results for the environment in the courtrooms, boardrooms, and legislative hearing rooms across the pivotal Midwest states and in Washington D.C.

Come join our winning team of talented, mission-driven professionals, who passionately work together to protect the environment and natural resources in the Midwest region. We offer a collaborative, upbeat culture, free snacks and a fantastic wellness benefit.

Position Overview

Position Title: Paralegal

Reports to: Senior/Senior Associate Attorney

Location: Chicago, IL – Hybrid work environment with required days in the office each week.

Hours Per Week: 37.5

Job Summary: The paralegal is part of a legal support team at our downtown Chicago headquarters, providing crucial support to about 23 of ELPC’s talented public interest attorneys.

Essential Job Functions

• Provide administrative, research, and technical assistance to the attorney team in a fast-paced, mission driven environment.
• Directing and overseeing activities of ELPC’s Legal Assistant.
• Supervising active case deadlines.
• Preparing and editing documents to be filed, including:
  • proofreading, cite checking, Bluebooking, formatting, producing tables of contents and authorities, assembling exhibit lists, etc.
  • becoming familiar and ensuring compliance with local practice, scheduling and filing rules for various venues (state, federal, and administrative courts)
• Ensuring accurate, compliant and timely filing and service of paper and electronic filings in a variety of courts.
• Supporting attorneys in discovery, gaining admission to courts, registration renewals, and creating and managing e-filing accounts.
• Factual, legal, and policy research.
• Assisting support staff as needed, with general administrative work.

Education & Experience

• 7 or more years experience in the essential functions detailed above, preferably in a fast-paced litigation environment.
• Associate degree required; Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Paralegal certification strongly preferred.
• Notary or willing to become a notary.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Excellent computer skills with high proficiency in Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat.
• Keen attention to detail coupled with strong organizational skills.
• Ability to problem solve under pressure, handle multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with online legal filing platforms, rules of service, and Bluebook citations.
• A personal interest in environmental protection or other public interest work.

Estimated Travel

Negligible

Special Requirements

Occasional evening and weekend hours may be required during peak times and events. The incumbent may occasionally need to come in a third and/or fourth day in a given week when there is a special event.

Compensation

$72,000 - $78,000 annually (based on a 37.5 hour workweek, not including overtime) + attractive benefits including vacation, sick and personal days, free gym membership and 4-12% 403b employer contribution/match.