Paralegal, National Security Project

ABOUT THE JOB

The ACLU seeks a full-time position of Paralegal in the National Security Project of the ACLU’s National office in New York, NY. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month. 

The National Security Project fights for people and communities harmed by the government in the name of national security. Recognizing the danger of expansive claims of state power, we advocate for a robust system of checks and balances, and policies that comply with the Constitution, civil liberties, and human rights. Through the courts, Congress, and public education, we strive to ensure that people are able to participate fully in civic life and are free from discrimination, unwarranted suspicion and surveillance, unlawful force and detention, and the stigma and other injustices that result from these abuses. 

This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. It is represented by Local 2110 of the United Auto Workers Union. 

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Reporting to the Deputy Project Director, the Paralegal will be responsible for providing litigation and administrative support to the legal project. This includes, but is not limited to, responding to legal assistance inquiries, cite checking and formatting litigation documents, and maintaining the litigation calendar and files and other litigation items. 

YOUR DAY TO DAY

• Provide litigation, administrative, and research support for the work of NSP attorneys 
• Type, prepare, proofread, format, and cite-check legal and other documents such as briefs, motions, declarations, discovery requests and responses, and correspondence 
• Provide logistical, administrative, and document management support for hearings and trials 
• Review and organize documents related to Freedom of Information Act requests and discovery 
• Draft, edit, and prepare affidavits, Freedom of Information Act requests, and other legal or public education documents 
• Arrange for service of legal documents; prepare and serve discovery documents; research court rules and procedures 
• Handle general administrative duties including processing invoices, tracking expenses and case costs, preparing expense reports, scheduling meetings, ordering supplies, etc. 
• Manage calendar and travel arrangements for project staff as assigned
• Maintain and ensure accuracy of case files, attorneys’ correspondence files, and internal litigation tracking systems including case summaries and databases, docket, and calendar of litigation deadlines and court dates 
• Provide administrative support for managers’ review of applications for open positions 
• Work jointly with interns and communicate routine and/or procedural guidance on projects assigned by managers 
• Work on special projects and other duties as assigned by the Deputy Project Director or Project Director 
  

FUTURE ACLU'ERS WILL

• Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU
• Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives
• Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

• Strong administrative, organizational, and time-management skills
• Solid proofreading, research, and writing skills 
• Demonstrated self-starter, highly organized, and detail oriented 
• Adept at managing multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, e.g., Outlook, Word, Excel, etc. and have experience with internet research 
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as within a team while maintaining a high level of efficiency 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, with one (1) year of paralegal or relevant litigation support experience strongly preferred
• Experience using and applying the Bluebook citation system
• Experience in efficiently creating tables of contents and tables of authorities using Microsoft Word
• Experience using Westlaw 

COMPENSATION

WHY THE ACLU

For over 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether it’s ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ+ community, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people.

We know that great people make a great organization. We value our people and know that what we offer is essential not just their work, but to their overall well-being. 

At the ACLU, we offer a broad range of benefits, which include:

• Time away to focus on the things that matter with a generous paid-time off policy
• Focus on your well-being with comprehensive healthcare benefits (including medical, dental and vision coverage, parental leave, gender affirming care & fertility treatment)
• Plan for your retirement with 401k plan and employer match
• We support employee growth and development through annual professional development funds, internal professional development programs and workshops

OUR COMMITMENT TO ACCESSIBILITY, EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

Accessibility, equity, diversity and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty, equality, and justice for all. For us diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are not just check-the-box activities, but a chance for us to make long-term meaningful change.  We are a community committed to learning and growth, humility and grace, transparency and accountability. We believe in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people within our organization – one that respects and embraces difference; treats everyone equitably; and empowers our colleagues to do the best work possible. We are as committed to anti-oppression, anti-ableism, and anti-racism internally as we are externally. Because whether we’re in the courts or in the office, we believe ‘We the People’ means all of us.

With this commitment in mind, we strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.    

The ACLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.