Paralegal

Paralegal at NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc.

The NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) is the country’s first and foremost civil and human rights law organization. Founded in 1940 under the leadership of Thurgood Marshall, LDF’s mission has been transformative: to achieve racial justice, equality, and an inclusive society. LDF’s programs in criminal justice, economic justice, education, and political participation seek to ensure fundamental human rights. LDF was recognized by Fast Company as one of its 2023 Brands That Matter under its public service category.

The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) seeks a Paralegal to assist LDF attorneys with litigation, education, advocacy, policy projects, and other advocacy-related activities. LDF operates in a hybrid work environment where employees are expected to be in the office a minimum of two days per week.

Responsibilities

• Proofread documents, including correspondence, advocacy and education materials, press releases, and website information.
• Cite-check, bluebook, quote-check, and finalize documents for filing, including motions, briefs, testimonies, and law review articles.
• Assist attorneys with admissions to federal and state courts.
• File and serve court documents, including electronically via ECF.
• Conduct legal database research (e.g. Lexis, Westlaw) and other fact research, as directed.
• Assist attorneys at hearings, oral arguments, depositions, and trials, whether remote or in-person.
• Arrange logistics, including travel, lodging, equipment, and technology needs, for in-person trials and hearings.
• Organize, monitor, and update hard copy and electronic case files, including correspondences, pleadings, discovery materials, deposition transcripts and exhibits, hearing transcripts, pre-trial and trial exhibits, and briefs.
• Manage, organize, search and retrieve documents from document repositories, including e-discovery databases.
• Gather and organize exhibits required for court filings, hearings, depositions, trials, client meetings, and conferences.
• Coordinate with internal LDF staff and vendors for services including transcription, printing, scanning, and duplication of documents.
• Coordinate with attorneys, clients, the IT Department, and vendors regarding the retrieval, processing, review, and production of documents, including electronically stored information housed on e-discovery platforms or document repositories.
• Perform administrative tasks, such as filing, copying, scanning, indexing, and mailing of documents, as needed.
• Assist attorneys with communications with clients, class members, and interested community stakeholders regarding LDF advocacy matters.
• Facilitate and support community meetings and other community outreach activities.
• Provide other myriad support to attorneys in their litigation and advocacy matters.

Qualifications

• A college degree, preferably with relevant scholastic, extracurricular, and/or work experience.
• Commitment to racial justice and civil rights.
• Excellent computer skills—familiarity with Office 365 software and comfort with database systems generally.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Willingness to learn and develop new skills and expertise.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and within a team.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-stress environment.
• Ability to prioritize workload.
• Ability to complete tasks accurately and in a timely manner.
• Willingness to work overtime, including occasional weekends.
• High motivation.
• Willingness to travel.

The salary range for this position varies by location:

• Washington, DC: $72,000 - $90,052
• New York: $75,000-$94,000
• Atlanta, Georgia: $65,000 - $81,592

LDF offers all eligible employees a generous benefits package.

Key skills/competency

• Litigation Support
• Legal Research
• Case Management
• Document Preparation
• E-filing (ECF)
• E-discovery
• Cite-checking (Bluebook)
• Client Communication
• Organizational Skills
• Civil Rights Advocacy