Litigation Paralegal, Gulf Regional Office

Earthjustice•Houston, TX

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

Earthjustice seeks a full-time Litigation Paralegal to join the Gulf regional office, based in Houston. The role will provide substantive and administrative support to our team of attorneys, who litigate in federal and state courts and conduct administrative advocacy to defend the right of all people to a healthy environment, protect our wild places and animals, and to speed our transition away from fossil fuels to clean and renewable energy. 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. The Gulf Regional Office works with communities and other partners fighting for a healthy and just future in the Gulf. We work to cut pollution, end fossil fuel expansion, protect our region’s precious places and wildlife, transition to clean energy, and drive climate solutions that work for everyone. For more information about the Gulf office, please visit https://earthjustice.org/about/office/gulf . This position provides paralegal and administrative support for the litigation and advocacy activities of the Gulf Regional office. The Litigation Paralegal will provide litigation paralegal services, including legal advocacy assistance, factual research, and drafting; assist in case development and management; and help ensure the overall effectiveness of litigation support in the Gulf Regional Office, including developing policies and best practices for litigation support. The Litigation Paralegal will report to the Managing Attorney. This is a hybrid (2-3 days per week in office) position and requires regular in-person attendance in our Houston, TX office.

Requirements

3+ years of experience in a related litigation position.
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.

Nice To Haves

College degree is a plus.
Paralegal certification is strongly preferred.
Familiarity with environmental and social justice issues preferred.
Passion for Earthjustice’s mission.

Responsibilities

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.
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.