Paralegal

National Legal Aid & Defender Association; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Los Angeles Innocence Project is seeking a dedicated paralegal to support investigation and postconviction litigation, as well as broader administrative tasks for nonprofit advocacy work. The paralegal will manage case files, coordinate with attorneys, draft routine pleadings, organize exhibits, and handle client and witness communications to advance justice for wrongfully incarcerated individuals.

This role emphasizes meticulous document handling, deadlines, hearing preparation, and

Responsibilities

• Provide LAIP staff with administrative and litigation support with exceptional attention to detail.
• Draft and format legal documents including routine pleadings, motions, affidavits, subpoenas, discovery, and proposed orders.
• Create table of authorities and table of contents.
• Draft and format day-to-day correspondence, such as releases of information and client and witness communication.
• Meticulously maintain case files and ensure best practices, including clearly organizing digital and hard files.
• Prepare, organize, store, digitize, and retrieve case files, including evidence, exhibits, depositions, pleadings, and other items.
• Properly file and serve court and legal documents in state and federal court and upon opposing counsel; research rules to ensure compliance.
• Update and maintain deadlines and important dates in LAIP calendars.
• Assist attorneys with hearing preparation including organizing exhibits and trial binders for depositions and court filings; assist during trials and hearings.
• Perform other administrative tasks such as scanning, copying, and printing.

Job description

Position Description

About the Los Angeles Innocence Project

The Los Angeles Innocence Project (LAIP) is a nonprofit legal organization dedicated to exonerating wrongfully convicted individuals and seeking justice for those who are wrongfully incarcerated, as well as advocating for systemic reforms to prevent future injustices. Our work includes direct representation, and policy advocacy. LAIP’s unique partnership with the California Forensic Science Institute at California State University Los Angeles allows us to collaborate with exceptional criminalists and graduate students.

Position Overview

The paralegal will play a critical role in supporting LAIP’s investigation and litigation of postconviction innocence claims, as well as general support for LAIP’s non-litigation activities. This includes, but is not limited to, providing administrative, legal, and research support including document management, client and witness communication, investigations, fact checking, and hearing preparation. The paralegal will work collaboratively with LAIP staff and must be committed to client-centered advocacy and social justice.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide LAIP staff with administrative and litigation support with exceptional attention to detail.
• Draft and format legal documents including but not limited to routine pleadings, motions, affidavits, subpoenas, discovery, and proposed orders.
• Create table of authorities and table of contents.
• Draft and format day-to-day correspondence, such as releases of information and client and witness communication.
• Meticulously maintain case files and ensure best practices, including clearly organizing digital and hard files.
• Prepare, organize, store, digitize, and retrieve case files, which may include evidence, exhibits, depositions, pleadings, exhibits, and other items.
• Properly file and serve court and legal documents in state and federal court and upon opposing counsel. Research rules and processes to ensure compliance with all legal and judicial requirements.
• Update and maintain deadlines and important dates in LAIP calendars.
• Assist attorneys with hearing preparation including organizing exhibits, trial binders, and appendices for depositions and court filings; Help attorneys during trials and hearings.
• Perform other administrative tasks such as scanning, copying, and printing.