Litigation / Legal Practice Assistant, Gulf Regional Office

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, 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, Chicago, Tallahassee, Honolulu, Houston, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, Denver, Seattle, Bozeman, Miami and Washington, D.C.

Earthjustice’s new Gulf Regional Office will work across all three of Earthjustice’s core program areas—healthy communities, climate and energy, and lands, oceans and wildlife. In collaboration with our clients and partners, we will fight for clean air and water and to combat unjust pollution burdens; we will fight for an equitable clean energy transition and for climate solutions that work for everyone; and we will fight to protect the magnificent lands, waters and wildlife in the Gulf. Earthjustice has a significant body of work in the Gulf and this new office will expand our capacity in this critical region.

The Litigation / Legal Practice Assistant is an exciting opportunity for a creative administrator to use their skills, the power of law, and the strength of partnership to help deliver meaningful results for the Gulf region. This position is located in Houston but supports the litigation and administrative work throughout the Gulf region.  We are seeking an advocate who is looking to materially contribute to our environmental work. We offer professional development and paralegal / legal training. Our team encourages you to apply even if you don’t meet every qualification.

Responsibilities

Litigation Support (75%)

Provide litigation support to multiple attorneys in document preparation, service, and filing of court documents, including electronic filings and service to opposing counsel.
Assist attorneys with hearing preparation including preparing and reviewing discovery documents, creating exhibits, and conducting research.
Ensure all court filing rules are being met, the accuracy of service list and timely filing and service of court documents.
Organization and maintenance of case files including scanned pleadings, research files, exhibits, general correspondence, and contracts.
Create, organize, and maintain document templates.
Compute, calendar, and help to ensure compliance with court deadlines; maintain litigation docket.
Participate in conference calls and meetings and communicate with courts, opposing and allied counsel, clients, experts, and government officials, as needed and approved by attorneys.
Search for and retrieve legal documents from agencies, libraries, and internet sources.
Edit, cite-check, proofread, format, assemble, serve, and file legal documents in accordance with relevant court, agency, and case-specific requirements.
Provide support required to comply with organizational requirements for initiation of new matters and maintenance of internal litigation database.
Provide drafts of procedural form pleadings (e.g., notice of appearance, pro hac vice applications, etc.).
Assist with attorney admissions, registrations, renewals and maintaining e-filing accounts.
Assist attorneys in preparing for and appearing in court and administrative proceedings, including evidentiary hearings, trials, and oral arguments; and
Provide general administrative assistance (taking meeting minutes, updating litigation database, communications with agencies and courts, monitoring court rules, and other office tasks).

Administrative Support (25%)

Assist with onboarding for incoming staff, clerks, and volunteers.
Attend community meetings to assist in advocacy or litigation support.
Investigate community complaints as needed.
Answer phones, handle incoming and outgoing mail/FedEx, greet visitors, ensure adequate office and mailing supplies.
Respond to and screen cold calls/emails requesting information or representation.
Help trouble-shoot hardware and software issues. Assist with operation and maintenance of office equipment (copier, printers, videoconferencing equipment).
Schedule and coordinate meetings, conference room and video-conferencing equipment, planning and arranging of office events, and travel arrangements.
Able to stand in for Legal Practice Manager when necessary.
Foster office morale and inclusive work environment.
Assist with managing shared work space for all Earthjustice events, including those related to development, board meetings, etc. Other tasks as assigned and as needed.
We are seeking an advocate who is looking to materially contribute to our environmental work. We offer professional development and paralegal / legal training. Our team encourages you to apply even if you don’t meet every qualification.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent years of experience.
0-2 years’ experience.
Litigation/Paralegal experience or training is a plus.
Fluency in Spanish is highly desired.
Willingness to complete paralegal certification a plus.
GIS training; science background; social justice, environmental, or public health policy or advocacy experience preferred.
Excellent editorial, proofreading, and computer skills (word processing, Microsoft Office suite, Adobe Acrobat, databases and spreadsheets, etc.).
Ability to set priorities among multiple assignments, to meet deadlines, and to function effectively and calmly under pressure.
Strong research and organizational skills a must; attention to detail required for court filings and litigation support.
A can-do attitude, with an ability and willingness to dive into unfamiliar areas, such as when filing court papers in a new venue.
Flexibility, punctuality, reliability, and integrity; a team player, who willingly performs necessary tasks. 
Availability for occasional travel and work outside normal working hours. 
Demonstrated awareness of 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.
Interest in and commitment to environmental protection. Knowledge of environmental issues 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. As a 501(c)(3) organization, Earthjustice is a qualifying employer for purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

Salary is dependent on experience and location. Salary reflects FY 23 salary ranges.

Salary Range in Houston: $57,700 to $64,100

To Apply:

Interested applicants should submit via Jobvite by October 30:

Resume
Cover letter

Applications, including those submitted after October 30, may be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

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 given 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.