Paralegal

ACLU of Wisconsin

Milwaukee (WI)

On-site

USD 50,000 - 75,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

ACLU of Wisconsin seeks a dedicated paralegal to support civil liberties and civil rights litigation. The role involves legal research, document preparation, and maintaining confidential client files in a collaborative team setting.

You will handle intake, data entry, and calendar management, while assisting attorneys with filings and discovery. Proficiency in LegalServer, Microsoft Office, and Google Suite is required.

Qualifications

Paralegal certification or degree preferred but not required.
Experience with civil liberties/civil rights law is a plus.
Comfort working with sensitive information and maintaining confidentiality.

Responsibilities

Assist the Legal Department with investigating and litigating civil liberties and civil rights cases in Wisconsin state and federal courts.
Manage legal intake requests, including online and written complaints and data entry.
Conduct factual and legal research to aid case development and gather evidence.
Maintain electronic and paper case files, including opening, maintenance, and archiving.
Administer the LegalServer case management system and coordinate technical support.

Skills

Legal Research

Case Management

LegalServer Expertise

Federal Court Filing Experience

Paralegal Certification

Data Entry

Calendar Management

Education

Paralegal Training Certificate

Active Paralegal Certification

Tools

LegalServer

Microsoft Office

Google Suite

Job description

Provide assistance to the Legal Department in investigating and litigating selected civil liberties and civil rights cases in Wisconsin state and federal courts
Manage legal intake requests, including online and written complaints, monthly intake review, and data entry
Assist with case development through factual and legal research, interviews, information gathering, and evidence analysis
Manage and maintain electronic and paper legal case files, including opening, ongoing maintenance, and archiving
Administer the LegalServer case management system and coordinate technical modifications, assistance, and troubleshooting
Manage litigation administration and logistics under attorney direction, including document production, discovery review, service of discovery documents, and court reporter arrangements
Prepare, file, and serve court filings for attorneys
Manage calendars and scheduling requests to ensure case deadlines are met
Assist in maintaining client relations
Draft routine correspondence, procedural motions, and government record requests
Collect, organize, and summarize responses to record requests
Cite-check, proofread, and format documents for filing
Assist attorneys with timekeeping and reporting on certain cases
Support recruitment, selection, supervision, and evaluation of law clerks, interns, and volunteers
Maintain professional ethics and client confidentiality
Support a collaborative and respectful work environment
Occasionally appear at public events on behalf of the organization
Perform other administrative duties as assigned

Requirements

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging as core values
Strong commitment to the ACLU mission and goals, racial justice, dismantling white supremacy, and structural power analysis
Knowledge of how power and oppression manifest across race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, ability, citizenship, and socioeconomic circumstances
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to work effectively across lines of difference with colleagues, clients, community partners, and volunteers
Advanced organizational and case management skills
Meticulous attention to detail
Ability to identify primary and secondary authorities and apply appropriate operational and management tools
Ability to maintain absolute confidentiality and exercise sound independent judgment, integrity, discretion, and diplomacy
Strong oral and written communication skills
Advanced Microsoft Office and Google Suite skills
Ability and willingness to become an in-house expert on LegalServer
Self-starter with follow-through and ability to set priorities and meet deadlines
Creative problem-solving and ability to develop and execute effective organizational strategies
Ability to handle difficult and sensitive factual situations involving rights violations and traumatic circumstances
Willingness to receive and respond to feedback and work collaboratively on a multi-person, multi-firm litigation team
Paralegal training certificate or degree and three years of paralegal experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience, preferred but not required
Active Paralegal Certification and compliance with State Bar of Wisconsin continuing education requirements preferred but not required
Nonprofit experience preferred
Experience in ACLU-WI core practice areas preferred
Federal court filing experience strongly preferred
Fluency in Spanish or another non-English language considered an asset, but not required
Ability to work approximately 40 hours per week
Ability to maintain physical file records and perform word processing
Ability to work at a computer for multiple hours per day
Ability to lift/carry office supplies, packages, and equipment
Ability to meet the listed physical and communication requirements

Core Competencies

Demonstrates advanced organizational and case management skills, with a strong commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging. Proficient in legal research, document preparation, and maintaining client confidentiality while supporting collaborative litigation efforts.

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