Supervisory Litigation Paralegal, Fossil Fuels Program

almost 2 years ago
Full time role
Chicago, IL, US... more
Chicago, IL, US... more

Company

Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We take on the biggest, most precedent-setting cases across the country. We ...

View Company Profile

Job Description

Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We take on the biggest, most precedent-setting cases across the country. 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 groups, supporters, individuals, and communities to engage the critical environmental issues of our time and bring about positive change. We are guided by a passionate, ambitious vision for the future for people and our planet: until justice stands for all, we will never rest. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.

Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental protections. We achieve this by hiring people who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment. Our headquarters are in San Francisco with offices in Anchorage, Juneau, Seattle, Los Angeles, Honolulu, Denver, Bozeman, Chicago, Tallahassee, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. We plan to open a Houston office by third quarter 2022. 

At a time when we desperately need to reduce greenhouse emissions to prevent the worst impacts of climate change, the oil and gas industry continues its attempts to aggressively expand fossil fuel infrastructure, locking us into decades of future fossil fuel use and directly harming the communities already hardest hit by climate disruption. Earthjustice’s Fossil Fuels Program is confronting this massive build-out. We use litigation, administrative advocacy, and partnership to advance an end to U.S. oil and gas extraction and production, stop new infrastructure (e.g. petrochemical facilities, export terminals and pipelines), and advance equity and justice. The Supervising Litigation Paralegal would support our work across regions in the Gulf South and Ohio River Valley. 

The Supervising Litigation Paralegal will provide litigation paralegal services, including legal advocacy assistance, factual research, and drafting, will supervise the litigation assistant(s) and litigation practice associate, and play a lead role in ensuring the overall effectiveness of litigation support in the Fossil Fuels Program. The Supervising Litigation Paralegal will report to a Supervising Senior Attorney or Managing Attorney.​ 

Preferred locations for this role include San Francisco, Houston, New Orleans, and Chicago.

Due to COVID-19, Earthjustice staff are temporarily working remotely from approved locations until offices reopen April 27, 2022. Subject to space availability, Earthjustice staff will be working two days a week in the office. After six months, the Executive Leadership Team will evaluate whether to adjust our hybrid work plan.

Responsibilities:

Paralegal (80%):

  • Perform and coordinate case management tasks, including preparing retainers, litigation holds, conflict checks; ensuring compliance with litigation holds, protective orders, and e-discovery requirements; tracking and computing deadlines;
  • Assist in case development, including conducting interviews and draft declarations related to standing.
  • 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, communicating with agency staff regarding the production, etc.
  • Coordinate logistics for trials, administrative hearings, or other proceedings.
  • Participate in conference calls and meetings and communicate with 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 pleadings, including motions, status reports, procedural pleadings, etc. Draft other case-related documents, including comment letters, FOIA and public records requests, FOIA appeals, etc. 
  • Edit, cite-check, Bluebook, proofread, format, assemble, serve, and file legal documents in accordance with relevant court, agency, and case-specific requirements.
  • 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 litigation support manual and 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.

Supervisory and Other Duties (20%):

  • Serve as a direct supervisor for at least one litigation assistant and litigation support staff in the Fossil Fuels Program, including delegation and oversight of litigation support assignments.
  • 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 direct reports in career advancement by identifying and encouraging appropriate training and professional development opportunities and creating development plans. 
  • Advance a learning culture by providing direct reports with consistent performance feedback – both positive and constructive, acting as a coach and mentor, and helping to ensure that case teams are debriefing after completion of significant stages of projects. 
  • 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:

  • College degree preferred.
  • At least 5 years of experience in a related litigation position.
  • Paralegal certification or equal mastery of skills.
  • Familiarity with environmental and social justice issues preferred.
  • Supervisory experience.
  • Excellent management skills, including the ability to foster effective communication, collaboration, decision-making, and mutual respect.
  • Ability to work independently to identify, analyze, and complete tasks.
  • Outstanding organizational skills.
  • Outstanding problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage complex information.
  • Excellent research and analytical skills, including the ability to understand legal, factual, scientific, technical, economic, historical, and policy aspects of issues and synthesize this knowledge in a coherent and non-technical fashion.
  • Ability to handle a varied workload and prioritize as needed.
  • In-depth understanding of legal practice relevant to our work, including the rules and procedures in venues where office or program practices.
  • Expert user of software and other technology used to support litigation and program work.
  • Awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.
  • Contributes to the creation of a diverse, equitable and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences. 

Salary is dependent on experience and location. Salaries reflect updated FY23 salary range.

San Francisco, CA: $95,400 - $106,000

Houston, TX or New Orleans, LA: $81,100 - $90,100

Chicago, IL: $90,600 - $100,700


We offer a mission- and employee-focused work environment and a competitive compensation package, including excellent benefits. Earthjustice is an equal opportunity employer and highly values diversity.

To Apply:

Interested candidates should the following via Jobvite: 

  • Resume
  • Cover letter

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 accepts resumes submitted for positions that are currently open. Unsolicited resumes, or resumes for posted positions that are not submitted via the on-line application process (where available), will not be reviewed or retained.

Earthjustice is driven by a passion for justice, partnership, and excellence. Our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and to maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected. As an equal opportunity employer, we are 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, gender expression, genetic information, or any other factor 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.

 

Similar jobs





Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We take on the biggest, most precedent-setting cases across the country. We ...

View Company Profile

Similar jobs