September 24, 2012
PARALEGAL
ACLU OF IDAHO FOUNDATION
The Paralegal provides strategic support and coordination for the ACLU of Idaho’s growing Legal Department. S/he will proactively identify and respond to alleged civil liberties and civil rights violations, conduct investigations, assist with impact litigation, and work with coalition partners and the national ACLU. Additionally, s/he manages all filing and administrative support for the Legal Department, which includes a Legal Director, fellows, interns, and cooperating attorneys. This position requires a self-directed, highly-organized person with energy, enthusiasm, and a strong commitment to civil rights and public interest law.
Responsibilities Include:
Litigation Support
- Format, prepare, serve, and file legal documents for complex federal and state litigation.
- Communicate and coordinate with co-counsel, opposing counsel, clients, and witnesses.
- Make all logistical arrangements for depositions, client meetings, and other events.
- Meticulously maintain electronic and physical case files and calendars.
- Attend client meetings, update clients on case status, and help clients access other legal and community resources.
Complaint Intake
- Analyze complaints about civil liberties violations and recommend action.
- Interview complainants and other witnesses.
- Gather public and other records about complaints.
- Train interns and volunteers on intake review.
- Maintain intake database and physical files for accuracy, currency, and completeness.
- Compile, analyze, and present statistical data regarding the Legal Department’s activities, including intake and intake response.
Research and Investigation
- Conduct investigations of civil rights complainants, including through advanced interview techniques, online research, personal observation, and travel.
- Develop investigative plans for complex cases.
- Collaborate on investigations with other organizations, including law enforcement.
Legal Program, Docket and Legal Panel
- With the Legal Director, ensure that the public and internal dockets are constantly updated.
- Attend and take minutes of all meetings of the Legal Panel and its subcommittees.
- Assist Legal Panel members and cooperating attorneys as requested.
- Build relationships with new cooperating attorneys through pro-active outreach to develop pro bono resources.
Managing Interns and Volunteers
- Assist in supervision of Legal Department fellows, law student and undergraduate interns, work-study students, and volunteers.
Administrative
- Respond to all phone calls and correspondence or refer to the appropriate staff member.
- Ensure that all Legal Department correspondence is tracked, timely received and sent, and handled or referred appropriately.
- Provide clerical support for invoicing, budgeting, and income/expense reporting.
Qualifications
- At least two years of paralegal or similar experience, or training as a paralegal.
- Experience in interviewing, gathering facts, analyzing information, and investigative techniques.
- Natural ability to empathize and calm people who are experiencing extreme stress or who have been emotionally hurt or physically injured.
- Demonstrated ability to juggle and prioritize many concurrent tasks at once, manage a high-volume workload, pay extremely close attention to detail, adapt quickly to changing organizational priorities, and meet moving deadlines.
- Ability to take initiative, problem-solve, multi-task, and work independently.
- Excellent research, analysis, and writing skills.
- Strong supervisory skills to oversee student interns and volunteers; ability to set a good example.
- Proven ability to work well with people with a wide range of interests, skills, concerns, and personalities.
- Respect for others and the perspectives of people with diverse backgrounds and cultures.
- Excellent computer skills, including databases, word processing, spreadsheets, email and online communications.
- Flexibility to work beyond the regular work week as needed.
- Working understanding of civil liberties, the Bill of Rights, and major civil rights laws.
- Clear, strong, and proven commitment to civil liberties, public interest work, and the mission of the ACLU of Idaho.
Supervision:
The Paralegal reports to the Legal Director, who is responsible for the overall legal program.
Compensation:
Salary is commensurate with experience and within the parameters of ACLU of Idaho’s salary scale. Excellent benefits include three weeks paid vacation, 100% employer-paid medical and dental insurance, 401 (k) plan with an employer match, life and long-term disability insurance, and generous paid holidays.
To Apply:
Submit a resume, one writing sample of no more than five (5) pages that demonstrates plain language writing skills, a cover letter that explains how your experience is applicable to the job requirements, and a list of three professional or academic references. Send to admin@acluidaho.org.
Please reference “Paralegal” in the email subject line, and indicate in your cover letter where you found this job listing
ACLU of Idaho Foundation
Paralegal Search
P.O. Box 1897
Boise, ID 83701
Review of applications will begin October 24, 2012. Preferred start date is November 26, 2012. The position will remain open until filled. Absolutely no unsolicited calls, please.
The ACLU of Idaho Foundation is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals to apply.
