Litigation Assistant

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; to preserve magnificent places and wildlife; to advance clean energy; and to 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 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, Los Angeles, Tallahassee, Miami, Honolulu, New York, Philadelphia, Denver, Seattle, Bozeman, Chicago and Washington, DC.

This position provides paralegal and administrative support for the litigation and advocacy activities of the Washington DC Regional office, and also offers backup support for operations staff in the office. Depending on qualifications and experience, we intend to hire either a Litigation Assistant I or II.

Responsibilities:

Paralegal (70%):

• Prepare documents under attorney supervision for filing in court and before agencies, including:
• Drafting procedural motions, certificates, and disclosure statements;
• Ensuring document compliance with court rules;
• Proofreading, bluebooking, and cite-checking;
• Preparing tables of contents, tables of authorities, exhibits, and exhibit lists; and
• Filing and serving electronically and manually.
• Perform factual and paralegal research and draft memos regarding research.
• Receive, research, and respond to public inquiries requesting legal assistance.
• Maintain litigation calendar, including:
• Monitoring, computing, and scheduling court and agency deadlines based on court orders and Federal Register notices; and
• Organizing meetings and events.
• Maintain digital and physical files, including:
• Case pleadings, general litigation documents, and general correspondence; and
• Case management database (ProLaw).
• Prepare client communications, including retainer agreements, litigation hold letters, and joint defense agreements.
• Become familiar with relevant court and administrative agency rules
• Monitor Federal Register, Court, and/or other web sites as requested by attorneys
• Develop visual aids and exhibits using mapping tools and analyze demographic and geographic data to assist attorneys in case development.
• Assist with locating and corresponding with potential witnesses.
• Assist attorneys with recruiting activities, including identifying college contacts and finding relevant recruiting events.
• Coordinate and plan activities for summer law clerks and interns, including brown-bag lunches, outings to U.S. DOJ or EPA, and networking activities.
• Assist fellow litigation assistants both organization-wide and within the D.C. office, including serving as back-up for team members who handle filings with various public utility commissions or agencies.
• Submit Freedom of Information Act inquiries and review and summarize responsive documents as needed.
• Analyze information from environmental databases on facility compliance and emissions.
• Stay up-to-date on environmental issues and network relevant news to attorneys.

Administrative (30%):

• Work with IT Department and Office Assistant to identify and resolve computer and technical problems.
• Cover receptionist duties as needed.
• Take notes at staff meetings.
• Schedule meetings for attorneys.

General:

• Help foster office morale and positive work environment.
• Other tasks as assigned as needed.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent experience.
• A can-do attitude, meticulous attention to detail, and an unrelenting commitment to high performance standards.
• Excellent research, analytical, writing, and computer skills (word processing, databases and spreadsheets, Internet, etc.).
• Excellent command of spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
• The ability to organize, set priorities among multiple assignments, meet deadlines, and function calmly under pressure.
• Strong time management and organizational skills.
• Demonstrate an awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team, including with remote staff, and to maintain confidential information.
• Flexible, punctual, highly reliable, and available for occasional evening and weekend work, as well as overtime on an as-needed basis. Ability to work for extended periods on the computer as needed to meet filing deadlines.
• A team player who will enthusiastically take on tasks that range from intellectually challenging to administrative work. Ability to work independently to identify, analyze, and complete tasks.
• Contribute to the creation of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.
• Ability to travel for trainings, hearings, and staff and client meetings.
• Excellent skills with Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Office Suite a plus.
• Interest in and knowledge of environmental, social justice, or public interest issues a plus.
• To qualify for Litigation Assistant II, at least three years of paralegal or legal assistant experience in a litigation setting, and research experience.Paralegal experience or training a plus.

We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits that are comprehensive and competitive.  We also offer an extremely congenial work environment and a casual dress code. 

To Apply:

Interested applicants should submit the following:

• Resume.
• One- or two-page cover letter that addresses: (1) why you are drawn to Earthjustice’s mission and whether there are particular legal, environmental, or justice issues that inspire you; and (2) aspects of your background that demonstrate competence to work with a diverse group of clients and colleagues.
• Short writing sample.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

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 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.

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.