Paralegal

ACLU of Texas; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Paralegal to join its Legal Department in Houston. This role involves providing strategic support for civil rights cases, managing legal filings, and assisting in litigation tasks. The ideal candidate will have a strong commitment to civil liberties, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. With a supportive team and a mission-driven focus, this position offers opportunities for professional growth and involvement in impactful advocacy work. If you are passionate about defending civil rights and eager to make a difference, this is the role for you.

Benefits

Generous Paid Time Off

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Plan with Employer Match

Life Insurance

Long-term Disability Insurance

Generous Paid Holidays

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of experience as a paralegal with litigation support.
• Proficiency in filing court documents in federal and state courts.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to work independently.

Responsibilities

• Assist in case management and maintain court records.
• Prepare and finalize court documents for filing.
• Provide support for factual development of civil rights cases.

Skills

Research Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Time Management

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Paralegal Certification

Tools

Adobe Pro

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

PowerPoint

Clio

Westlaw

PACER

Job description

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.

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 aninclusive culture. The ACLU of Texas encourages applications from all qualified individualswithout regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity orexpression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status andrecord of arrest or conviction.