Civil Rights Legal Coordinator

Cair La•Anaheim, CA

13d•$29 - $35•Hybrid

About The Position

The Civil Rights Legal Assistant will play a vital role in supporting CAIR-LA's civil rights litigation efforts, case management, client intakes, and day-to-day operations. Working closely with attorneys and administrative staff, the legal assistant's job duties include managing case files, conducting legal intakes, conducting legal research and writing, drafting pleadings and discovery, handling court filings in state and federal courts, and maintaining litigation and department calendars. This role requires a proactive, detail-oriented individual who can seamlessly step into active cases while also helping coordinate administrative functions within the department. The ideal candidate is passionate about civil rights and ready to contribute to high-impact legal work that defends the rights of marginalized communities.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree
Minimum 1-3 years of experience providing administrative or case support in a law office, legal aid organization, or nonprofit advocacy setting
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), Adobe Acrobat, and legal case management software (e.g., PracticePanther, Clio, or similar)
Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to draft correspondence and communications directly with clients, outside parties, stakeholders, and community members
Strong time management skills with a demonstrated ability for meeting deadlines
Demonstrated problem-solving skills with outstanding attention to detail
Comfort working productively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and maintain professionalism in client-facing and inter-departmental communications
Access to a working vehicle and the ability to drive throughout Southern California
High degree of self-motivation and creativity
A strong commitment to civil rights, social justice, and CAIR's mission
Cultural competence and sensitivity when working with people from diverse cultural, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds

Nice To Haves

A paralegal certificate is preferred but not required
Familiarity with California and federal civil litigation, including familiarity with the litigation process, court filing procedures, and case management practices.
Working knowledge of civil rights litigation and civil rights statutes, both state and federal
Strong legal research and writing skills and familiarity with legal search engines, like WestLaw Next
Proficiency in Arabic and/or Urdu, Farsi, Dari
Experience working with (and/or strong familiarity with) the American Muslim community

Responsibilities

Providing legal administrative support to Civil Rights Department attorneys, fellows, and staff, including case data analysis and input, legal filings, document filings, mailing, scanning, copying, scheduling meetings, and other related tasks
Coordinating and conducting legal client intakes, interviews, follow-ups, and responses; summarizing intake substance, and presenting recommendations to attorneys for future action or referral
Under the supervision of an attorney, assisting on assigned litigation efforts, including preparing pleadings, motions, and briefs, propounding and responding to discovery, assisting with trial preparation, compiling exhibits, drafting witness lists, preparing subpoenas
Communicating with outside parties, including courts, opposing counsel, experts, and other stakeholders or partners regarding administrative matters and scheduling
Under the supervision of an attorney, performing legal research and writing, using computerized data bases, online resources, and legal materials
Drafting and preparing client correspondence, retainers, legal memoranda, and administrative filings (including FOIA requests, DHS TRIP applications, and other agency complaints under attorney supervision)
Conducting document review and summaries for attorney review
Maintaining the organization of the case management system of the civil rights department, including storing and organizing both electronic and physical documents, files, and folders
Maintaining and organizing department inboxes, files, and documents, including electronic and physical mail, as well as department contact and referral lists
Maintaining calendar systems for deadlines and timely filing of extensions, pleadings, petitions, and applications
Supporting legal mailing for the department
Serving as a liaison to other groups and entities vital to the positive resolution of cases
Providing clients with referrals to other services
Conducting data reporting, generating department reports and statistics and reporting on a regular basis to internal and external sources, including as part of grant deliverables and reporting
Assist in compiling departmental data and drafting summaries and reports and publications highlighting CAIR-LA's work
Providing additional support to civil rights staff as needed
Organizing and engaging in special civil rights events and coordinating and conducting Know Your Rights presentations and workshops, in person and virtually
Traveling for outreach including participating in community events and coalition meetings
Assisting in general duties such as answering phones, weekly outreach, fundraising, team building activities, staff recruitment, and other office tasks as required
Other duties as required or assigned