Litigation Paralegal, Northwest Regional Office

This position provides paralegal and administrative support for the litigation and advocacy activities of the Northwest Regional office. The Litigation Paralegal will provide litigation paralegal services, including legal advocacy assistance, factual research, and drafting; assist in case development and management; and help ensure the overall effectiveness of litigation support in the Northwest Regional Office, including developing policies and best practices for litigation support. The Litigation Paralegal will report to the Litigation Practice Manager. This role requires approximately two days a week in the Seattle office, though a regional remote arrangement may be considered for the right candidate.

Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We take on the biggest, most precedent-setting cases across the country. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health; to preserve magnificent places and wildlife; to advance clean energy; and to combat climate change. We partner with thousands of groups to engage on the critical environmental issues of our time and bring about positive change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.

Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental protections. We achieve this by hiring people who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment. Our headquarters are in San Francisco with offices in Anchorage, Bozeman, Chicago, Denver, Honolulu, Houston, Juneau, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Tallahassee, and Washington, D.C.

The Northwest Office opened in 1987 to enable Earthjustice to take a more active role in preserving the unique natural resources and environment of the Pacific Northwest. Since that time, the Northwest office has undertaken campaigns to protect old growth forests, promote salmon recovery, improve water quality, protect Puget Sound and the Salish Sea and the communities that depend on them, stop coal-fired power plants, prevent the Pacific Northwest from becoming a fossil fuel fossil fuel export hub, and protect farmworkers and communities from toxic pesticides, among other things. We are building out southern resident orca recovery work and partnerships with environmental justice communities in Seattle and Portland. We frequently work in close partnership with Native American Tribes and fence-line communities.

Many Northwest Earthjustice staff are currently working two days a week in the office in downtown Seattle.

Responsibilities

Litigation Support (90%):

-Perform and coordinate case management tasks, including preparing retainers, litigation holds, conflict checks; ensuring compliance with litigation holds, protective orders, and e-discovery requirements; tracking and computing deadlines;
-Assist in case development, including conducting interviews and draft declarations related to standing.
-Research, organize, and analyze legal and factual information and technical data; generate literature reviews, notes, memoranda, and summaries; develop tables, graphics, and other visual aids.
-Support all aspects of discovery, including conducting document review, communicating with other parties regarding productions, and preparing deposition summaries and/or requests for and responses to discovery, etc.
-Support all aspects of administrative record and FOIA reviews, including as appropriate document review, preparing summaries, communicating with agency staff regarding the production, etc.
-Coordinate logistics for trials, administrative hearings, or other proceedings.
-Participate in conference calls and meetings and communicate with courts, experts, and other parties, as part of regular or assigned responsibilities or as approved by attorneys.
-Engage in advocacy and community outreach efforts. Help steward and develop relationships with community partners and clients.
-Draft procedural pleadings, including motions, status reports, procedural pleadings, etc.
-Draft other case-related documents, including comment letters and public records requests, etc.
-Edit, cite-check, Bluebook, proofread, format, assemble, serve, and file legal documents in accordance with relevant court, agency, and case-specific requirements.
-Track and report agency activities, scientific developments, news, and docket updates related to the office’s practice.
-Retrieve legal documents from agencies, libraries, and internet sources.
-Maintain litigation support manual and court-specific information, including filing checklists; collaborate with other litigation staff across the organization as needed to improve litigation support for the office and Earthjustice generally.
-Maintain litigation calendars and schedule meetings and other work-related activities on request from attorneys and other program staff.

Administrative Support and Other Duties (10%):

-Partner with the Litigation Practice Manager and/or other staff to evolve the effectiveness of litigation support and institute and implement best practices in the face of changing technology, norms, and rules.
-Assist Litigation Practice Manager with various tasks including office needs.
-Assist with office administration, handling incoming/outgoing mail, greeting visitors, ensuring adequate office supplies.
-Assist with operation and maintenance of office equipment (copier, printers, videoconferencing equipment)
-Updating and maintaining electronic files and local office intranet site content
-Help ensure the advancement of Earthjustice’s diversity, equity, and inclusion goals and values.
-Promote a respectful and inclusive work environment for the team and model respectful and inclusive behavior.
-Communicate regularly with the team and encourage staff to raise concerns and to provide ongoing feedback.
-Facilitate staff engagement with one another to strengthen teamwork, interaction, and collaboration. Create or identify strategic opportunities for team building.
-Other tasks as assigned and as needed.

Qualifications:

-At least 3 years of experience in a related litigation position.
-College degree and/or paralegal certification preferred.
-Additional language skills desired.
-Familiarity with environmental and social justice issues preferred.
-Excellent management skills, including the ability to foster effective communication, collaboration, decision-making, and mutual respect.
-Ability to work independently to identify, analyze, and complete tasks.
-Outstanding organizational skills.
-Outstanding problem-solving skills.
-Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
-Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage complex information.
-Excellent research and analytical skills, including the ability to understand legal, factual, scientific, technical, economic, historical, and policy aspects of issues and synthesize this knowledge in a coherent and non-technical fashion.
-Ability to handle a varied workload and prioritize as needed.
-In-depth understanding of legal practice relevant to our work, including the rules and procedures in venues where office or program practices.
-Expert user of software and other technology used to support litigation and program work.
-Awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.
-Contributes to the creation of a diverse, equitable and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.
-Familiarity with environmental and social justice issues preferred.
-Support for Earthjustice’s mission.

Compensation is based on experience and location.
Seattle, WA: $82,300 - $91,400

We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits that are comprehensive and competitive. We also offer a congenial work environment and a casual dress code. As a 501(c)(3) organization, Earthjustice is a qualifying employer for purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Programs.

To Apply

Applicants should submit via Jobvite by February 12, 2023:

-Resume
-Cover letter

Applications received after February 12, 2023 may be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Please reach out to jobs@earthjustice.org if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application. No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies.

Earthjustice is driven by a passion for justice, partnership and excellence. Our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and to maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to employment practices that ensure that employees and applicants for employment are given equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or any other factor that is not related to the position.

For positions located within the City and County of San Francisco: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

For positions located within the City of Los Angeles: We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

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