Paralegal, Disability Rights Program

aclu; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The ACLU is seeking a Paralegal for the Disability Rights Program in the National office, based in San Francisco, CA or Washington, DC. This full-time, hybrid position requires in-office presence two days per week or eight days per month.

The role supports litigation and advocacy on voting, education, autonomy and criminal justice issues, coordinating with affiliates and national offices. Strong research, organization and communication skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Strong research skills, including internet research.
• Highly organized, efficient, self-motivated, and able to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide paralegal and administrative support to the Disability Rights Program.
• Prepare and file legal pleadings; arrange service of documents; prepare and serve discovery documents.
• Maintain case files and litigation calendars; manage correspondence and travel arrangements.

Skills

Legal research

Organization

Communication

Independent work

Education

Associate or Bachelor's degree

Tools

Westlaw

PACER

Job description

ABOUT THE JOB

The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time position of Paralegal in the Disability Rights Program of the ACLU's National office in San Francisco, CA or Washington, DC. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month.

The Disability Rights Program's mission is to achieve an America free of discrimination against people with disabilities; where people with disabilities are valued, integrated members of society who have full access to education, homes, health care, jobs, families, voting and civic engagement.

We fight to ensure that people with disabilities are no longer segregated into, and overrepresented in, civil and criminal institutions such as nursing homes, psychiatric hospitals, jails, and prisons.

The ACLU has fought for decades for the rights of people with disabilities - achieving key wins to stop coerced mental health treatment and unnecessary institutionalization, as well as playing a role in the drafting of the ADA. In 2012, the ACLU established the Disability Rights Program (DRP). DRP litigates and advocates to fight the over-representation of people with disabilities in the criminal legal system, to promote alternatives to guardianship, and to secure equal access to the ballot. We also provide support to affiliates and the National office on disability rights issues that intersect with core civil liberties.

While the ACLU's Legal Department is headquartered in New York, it also has programs housed in San Francisco and Washington, DC. The Disability Rights Program works out of the San Francisco and DC offices.

This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. It is represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU).

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Reporting to the Program Director , the Paralegal will be responsible for providing paralegal and administrative support to the Disability Rights Program, which litigates and advocates in our priority areas of voting, education, autonomy, and criminal justice and also provides support to affiliates and the National office on disability rights issues that intersect with core civil liberties.

YOUR DAY TO DAY

• Prepare and file legal pleadings; arrange for service of legal documents; prepare and serve discovery documents; conduct research on court rules and procedures
• Maintain case files, attorneys' correspondence files, and internal litigation tracking systems including case summaries and calendar of litigation deadlines and court dates
• Provide administrative and litigation support to attorneys, including maintaining calendars, preparing correspondence, making travel arrangements and processing expense reports
• Monitor and manage excel spreadsheets for DRP budget
• Respond to requests for legal assistance
• Update content on the ACLU website and intranet
• Provide administrative support for manager review of applications for intern and fellowship positions
• Work jointly with interns and communicate routine and/or procedural guidance on projects assigned by managers
• Work collaboratively with other support staff in both New York and San Francisco offices to ensure that office systems run smoothly
• Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned

FUTURE ACLU'ERS WILL

• Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU
• Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives
• Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

• Strong research skills, including internet research, required
• Highly organized, efficient, self-motivated, and able to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines effectively
• Strong organizational and administrative skills
• Strong attention to detail and ability to complete complex tasks accurately and reliably
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently as well as within a team while maintaining a high level of efficiency and professionalism
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office; familiarity with spreadsheets preferred
• Ability to identify and solve problems independently, especially with regard to scheduling and computer skills

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience creating tables of contents, tables of authorities, mail merges, and creating/inserting macros, pivot tables, etc.
• Commitment to public interest work and to civil liberties in particular is important
• An Associate or Bachelor's degree
• Basic knowledge of Westlaw and PACER
• Previous paralegal, administrative support or related experience
• Personal and/or professional experience with the disability community

COMPENSATION

The ACLU is committed to equity, transparency, and clarity in pay. Consistent with our compensation philosophy, there is a set salary for each role based on geographic work location. The annual salary for this position is