Litigation Paralegal, Washington DC Regional Office
Earthjustice seeks a full-time, in-person Litigation Paralegal for our Washington, DC Regional Office.
Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health; preserve magnificent places and wildlife; advance clean energy; and combat climate change. We partner with thousands of individuals and communities to engage in the critical environmental issues of our time and bring about positive change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.
Earthjustice’s Washington DC Regional Office (“DCRO”) serves both as a regional office for issues arising in the mid-Atlantic states and as a litigation center for critical national environmental issues. With an eye towards advancing equity and justice, DCRO uses litigation, administrative advocacy, and partnership to protect public health and the environment from air pollution. For example, DCRO advocates for more protective national air quality standards, national safeguards against hazardous air pollutants, prevention of chemical disasters at industrial facilities, clean waterways, and more.
DCRO is seeking a Litigation Paralegal to provide paralegal and administrative support for the team’s litigation and advocacy activities. The Litigation Paralegal will: provide litigation paralegal services, including legal advocacy assistance, factual research, and drafting; assist in case development and management; help ensure the overall effectiveness of litigation support in DCRO, including developing policies and best practices for litigation support; and training and developing more junior litigation support staff. The Litigation Paralegal will report to a Senior Attorney.
This is a full-time (37.5 hours/week) role. This role requires regular in-person attendance at our Washington, DC office and is not a remote work position. We are seeking candidates who are available to start in February 2025.
Responsibilities
Paralegal and Factual Support (90%):
Edit, cite-check, Bluebook, proofread, format, assemble, serve, and file legal documents in accordance with relevant court, agency, and case-specific requirements.
Maintain familiarity with court rules and procedures relevant to the office’s work.
Perform and coordinate case management tasks, including: maintaining case files; preparing retainers, litigation holds, and conflict checks; ensuring compliance with litigation holds, protective orders, and e-discovery requirements; and tracking and computing deadlines.
Assist in case development as requested, including conducting interviews.
Research, organize, and analyze legal and factual information and technical data; generate literature reviews, notes, memoranda, and summaries; develop tables, graphics, and other visual aids.
Support all aspects of discovery, including conducting document review, communicating with other parties regarding productions, and preparing deposition summaries and/or requests for and responses to discovery, etc.
Support all aspects of administrative record and FOIA reviews, including as appropriate document review, preparing summaries, and communicating with agency staff regarding the production.
Coordinate logistics for trials, administrative hearings, or other proceedings.
Participate in conference calls and meetings and communicate with clients, courts, experts, and other parties, as part of regular or assigned responsibilities or as approved by attorneys.
Engage in advocacy and community outreach efforts. Help steward and develop relationships with community partners and clients.
Draft basic procedural pleadings, including motions, status reports, and similar filings. Draft other program-related documents, including comment letters, FOIA and public records requests, FOIA appeals, and other documents as requested by attorneys.
Track and report agency activities, scientific developments, news, and docket updates related to the office’s practice.
Retrieve legal documents from agencies, libraries, and internet sources.
Maintain court-specific information, including filing checklists; collaborate with other litigation staff across the organization as needed to improve litigation support for the office and Earthjustice generally.
Maintain litigation calendars and schedule meetings and other work-related activities on request from attorneys and other program staff.
Administrative and Other Support (10%):
Conduct new employee training and orientation for litigation assistants and paralegals.
Partner with the Managing Attorney and/or other staff to evolve the effectiveness of litigation support and institute and implement best practices in the face of changing technology, norms, and rules.
Assist paralegals and litigation assistants in career advancement by identifying and encouraging appropriate training and professional development opportunities and creating development plans.
Advance a learning culture by acting as an informal mentor or advisor to less experienced litigation support personnel.
Help ensure the advancement of Earthjustice’s diversity, equity, and inclusion goals and values.
Promote a respectful and inclusive work environment for the team and model respectful and inclusive behavior.
Communicate regularly with the team and encourage staff to raise concerns and to provide ongoing feedback.
Facilitate staff engagement with one another to strengthen teamwork, interaction, and collaboration. Create or identify strategic opportunities for team building.
Other tasks as assigned and as needed.
Qualifications:
3+ years of experience in a related litigation position.
College degree is a plus.
Paralegal certification is strongly preferred.
Expert user of software and other technology used to support litigation and program work, including Microsoft Word, Adobe PDF, and PACER/ECF.
In-depth understanding of legal practice relevant to our work, including the rules and procedures in federal courts.
Ability to work independently to identify, analyze, and complete tasks.
Excellent organizational, problem-solving skills, and verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage complex information.
Ability to handle a varied workload and prioritize as needed.
Awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.
High level of emotional intelligence including self-motivation, self-awareness, empathy, ability to give and receive feedback, and outstanding interpersonal skills.
Familiarity with environmental and social justice issues preferred.
Passion for Earthjustice’s mission.
Compensation
We offer a competitive salary and excellent, comprehensive benefits. We also offer a casual and congenial work environment.
Salaries at Earthjustice are determined by experience level and working location. The salary range for this role in Washington, DC is $87,300 - $97,000.
To Apply
Interested candidates should submit the following materials via Jobvite. Preference will be given to candidates who apply by 5:00pm PT on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, after which applications may be reviewed on a rolling basis until the role is filled. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
1-2 page resume.
1-2 page cover letter that includes confirmation you can work a hybrid schedule from our Washington, DC office.
Information about our hiring process and tips for success can be found at https://earthjustice.org/about/jobs/hiring-process. Please reach out to jobs@earthjustice.org if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application. No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies. Earthjustice only considers applications submitted for current openings via Jobvite. Unsolicited resumes or resumes for posted positions that are not submitted via Jobvite will not be reviewed or retained.
As an equal opportunity employer, Earthjustice is committed to employment practices that ensure that employees and applicants for employment are provided with equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or any other factor specified under applicable laws that is not related to the position.
For positions located within the City and County of San Francisco: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
For positions located within the City of Los Angeles: We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.