ABOUT THE JOB

The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time position of Paralegal in the Disability Rights Program of the ACLU’s National office in San Francisco, CA or Washington, DC. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month.

The Disability Rights Program’s mission is to achieve an America free of discrimination against people with disabilities; where people with disabilities are valued, integrated members of society who have full access to education, homes, health care, jobs, families, voting and civic engagement. We fight to ensure that people with disabilities are no longer segregated into, and overrepresented in, civil and criminal institutions such as nursing homes, psychiatric hospitals, jails, and prisons.

The ACLU has fought for decades for the rights of people with disabilities - achieving key wins to stop coerced mental health treatment and unnecessary institutionalization, as well as playing a role in the drafting of the ADA. In 2012, the ACLU established the Disability Rights Program (DRP). DRP litigates and advocates to fight the over-representation of people with disabilities in the criminal legal system, to promote alternatives to guardianship, and to secure equal access to the ballot. We also provide support to affiliates and the National office on disability rights issues that intersect with core civil liberties.

While the ACLU’s Legal Department is headquartered in New York, it also has programs housed in San Francisco and Washington, DC. The Disability Rights Program works out of the San Francisco and DC offices.

This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. It is represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU).

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Reporting to the Program Director, the Paralegal will be responsible for providing paralegal and administrative support to the Disability Rights Program, which litigates and advocates in our priority areas of voting, education, autonomy, and criminal justice and also provides support to affiliates and the National office on disability rights issues that intersect with core civil liberties.

YOUR DAY TO DAY

Prepare and file legal pleadings; arrange for service of legal documents; prepare and serve discovery documents; conduct research on court rules and procedures
Maintain case files, attorneys’ correspondence files, and internal litigation tracking systems including case summaries and calendar of litigation deadlines and court dates
Provide administrative and litigation support to attorneys, including maintaining calendars, preparing correspondence, making travel arrangements and processing expense reports
Monitor and manage excel spreadsheets for DRP budget
Respond to requests for legal assistance
Update content on the ACLU website and intranet
Provide administrative support for manager review of applications for intern and fellowship positions
Work jointly with interns and communicate routine and/or procedural guidance on projects assigned by managers
Work collaboratively with other support staff in both New York and San Francisco offices to ensure that office systems run smoothly
Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned

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 research skills, including internet research, required
Highly organized, efficient, self-motivated, and able to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines effectively
Strong organizational and administrative skills
Strong attention to detail and ability to complete complex tasks accurately and reliably
Strong written and verbal communication skills; strong interpersonal skills
Ability to work independently as well as within a team while maintaining a high level of efficiency and professionalism