Paralegal/Office Manager (Washington DC)

National Center for Youth Law

The National Center for Youth Law (NCYL) amplifies youth power, dismantles racism and other structural inequities, and builds just policies, practices, and culture in support of young people. Our efforts advance justice through research, community collaboration, impact litigation, and policy advocacy that fundamentally transforms our nation’s approach to education, health, immigration, foster care, and youth justice. Our vision is a world in which every young person thrives and has a full and fair opportunity to achieve the future they envision for themselves.

Legal Advocacy Team

NCYL’s Legal Advocacy team engages in impact litigation across all the issues on which NCYL works. The team brings systemic cases to improve and transform systems that serve children and youth, often in collaboration with other public interest law firms and community-based organizations and with support from pro bono partners. Most of our cases are filed in federal court, but we do litigate in state court when appropriate. A description of our current cases can be found here.

The Position

The Paralegal assists attorney(s) by providing clerical and research support services, including document preparation and review; interviewing clients and witnesses; research, investigations, and fact checking; and trial preparation. This position includes office management functions for the Washington, DC office.

Essential Functions

• Prepare and edit legal pleadings, correspondence, reports, and other documents.
• Finalize and file court documents, including generating tables of contents and tables of authorities.
• Assist with administrative tasks, including copying, mailing, and data entry.
• Organize, maintain, open, and close case and project files, including building and maintaining SharePoint sites and libraries.
• Coordinate team meetings, including content management, resource distribution, and logistics.
• Conduct academic, legal, and factual research.
• Assist with case and project management, including maintaining calendars, monitoring deadlines, and with preparation for hearings, depositions, and trials.
• Review and coordinate incoming and outgoing document productions using litigation support technology such as Relativity and Axcelerate.
• Serve as a liaison with external parties including translation services, court reporters, witnesses, experts and co-counsel.
• Provide technological support, including supporting the rollout of new technology systems.
• Assist with grant applications and reports.
• Oversee the daily operational needs of the DC office, such as: processing mail, ordering supplies, assisting with IT needs, ensuring employee access, coordinating with building management.
• Coordinate attorneys' subscriptions to services such as Westlaw.

Qualifications

• At least two (2) years of work experience serving in a litigation-focused capacity at a private law firm, nonprofit, or government agency preferred.
• Experience with online court filing systems, such as PACER and CM/ECF, preferred.
• Experience with litigation support technology, such as Relativity and Axcelerate, preferred.
• Ability to prepare and edit legal citations according to the Bluebook, preferred
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to learn new technology and software systems.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, meet deadlines, efficiently multi-task, and produce a high-quality work product in a fast-paced environment.
• Creative problem-solving skills and ability to stay focused on the big picture.
• Ability to work independently and intuitively.
• Ability to represent NCYL in a courteous and professional manner.
• Commitment to NCYL’s mission and goals.

Physical Requirements

Regular (at least weekly) in-person attendance at NCYL’s Washington, DC office location (18th and Connecticut, NW). Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Occasional lifting of up to 15 pounds.

Salary, Benefits, and Location

This is a full-time, non-exempt position with a competitive annual salary of $76,313.00.

NCYL provides a robust benefits package including health, dental, vision, and life insurances, generous vacation and sick benefits, paid family leave, flexible spending account, employer contribution to a retirement plan, paid sabbatical, and short-term and long-term disability insurance.

Candidates must reside in, or be willing to relocate to, the Washington, DC metro area. Relocation must be completed prior to the start date of the position.

All positions at NCYL are at-will and paid for by grants and donations, thus employment with NCYL will be contingent upon continued receipt of funding. Nothing in the statement changes the at-will employment relationship.

How to Apply 

Please submit a cover letter and resume at the link below. Please, no emails or calls. 

Apply at: https://recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/Jobs/Details/2931305

 Applicants who meet the above criteria with lived experiences within any of our practice areas, including Black, Indigenous, or other people of color, are strongly encouraged to apply. 

It is the policy of NCYL to provide equal employment opportunities to all Applicants (including Employees) regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, breastfeeding, national origin, age, abilities/disabilities, neurotypicality, socioeconomic status, veteran status, marital status, prior convictions, or any other protected classifications under federal, state, or local law.