Paralegal, Disability Rights Program

ACLU - National Office • Washington, DC

10h • Hybrid

About The Position

The ACLU seeks a full-time Paralegal for its Disability Rights Program (DRP), based in the National office in San Francisco, California, or Washington, DC. This hybrid position requires working in the office two days per week or eight days per month. The Paralegal reports to the Program Director and provides paralegal and administrative support to DRP, which litigates and advocates on voting, education, autonomy, and criminal justice, and supports affiliates and the National office on disability rights issues intersecting with core civil liberties. The position is represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU) and is part of a collective bargaining unit.

DRP works to end discrimination against people with disabilities and advance their full participation in society. Its work includes challenging the overrepresentation of people with disabilities in criminal and civil institutions, promoting alternatives to guardianship, and securing equal access to the ballot.

The position supports attorneys and program operations through legal filing and case management, administrative coordination, budget tracking, responding to requests for legal assistance, and assisting with intern and fellowship application reviews. The annual salary is $81,166 at the New York, NY reference location; regional adjustments may apply if authorization is granted to work elsewhere.

Requirements

• Strong research skills, including internet research.
• Highly organized, efficient, and self-motivated, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines effectively.
• Strong organizational and administrative skills.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to complete complex tasks accurately and reliably.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team while maintaining efficiency and professionalism.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office; familiarity with spreadsheets is preferred.
• Ability to identify and solve problems independently, especially regarding scheduling and computer skills.
• Commitment to advancing the ACLU’s mission.
• Commitment to collaboration and respectful resolution of obstacles and conflicts.
• Commitment to diversity and to embedding equity, inclusion, and belonging in the work.

Nice To Haves

• Experience creating tables of contents and tables of authorities, performing mail merges, and creating or inserting macros and pivot tables.
• Commitment to public interest work, particularly civil liberties.
• An associate or bachelor’s degree.
• Basic knowledge of Westlaw and PACER.
• Previous paralegal, administrative support, or related experience.
• Personal and/or professional experience with the disability community.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and file legal pleadings; arrange service of legal documents; prepare and serve discovery documents; and research court rules and procedures.
• Maintain case files, attorneys’ correspondence files, and internal litigation tracking systems, including case summaries and calendars of litigation deadlines and court dates.
• Provide administrative and litigation support to attorneys, including maintaining calendars, preparing correspondence, arranging travel, and processing expense reports.
• Monitor and manage Excel spreadsheets for the Disability Rights Program budget.
• Respond to requests for legal assistance.
• Update content on the ACLU website and intranet.
• Provide administrative support for managers reviewing applications for intern and fellowship positions.
• Work with interns and communicate routine or procedural guidance on projects assigned by managers.
• Collaborate with support staff in the New York and San Francisco offices to help ensure office systems run smoothly.
• Engage in special projects and perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Generous paid time-off policy.
• Comprehensive healthcare benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, parental leave, gender-affirming care, and fertility treatment.
• 401(k) plan with employer match.
• Annual professional development funds, internal professional development programs, and workshops.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed