Legal Assistant - Full Time New Orleans Office

The MacArthur Justice Center (MJC) seeks a Legal Assistant to provide administrative support to the Louisiana office, including in relation to office administration and litigation needs. The Legal Assistant communicates with MJC’s clients and prospective clients compassionately and professionally, assessing client needs and risk levels, providing follow-up communication, offering immediate resources for high-risk clients, and providing thorough documentation for all client communications.

Who We Are:

MJC is a national nonprofit civil rights law firm. We represent people who have been harmed by America’s criminal legal system, seeking to vindicate their rights, elevate their stories, and hold people with power accountable. We do this primarily through cutting-edge litigation and advocacy across the country, on end-to-end issues in the criminal legal system, from policing, to prosecutorial discretion, to rights of indigent defendants, to mass incarceration, to prison conditions, to wrongful convictions and the death penalty. For more information on our work, visit www.macarthurjustice.org.

The criminal legal system disproportionately harms people of color, people from low-income communities, people who were formerly incarcerated, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals. We strongly encourage people who identify within these and other communities underrepresented in the legal profession to apply. All applicants must have and be committed to the cultural competence required to work with clients, co-workers, and community partners who come from different backgrounds and experiences.

What You’ll Do:

Intake Duties:

• Fielding, reviewing, and assisting with responding to requests for representation, as well as tracking trends in issues identified in such requests.
• Receive, analyze and prepare responses for the director to all written, telephoned, or emailed requests for assistance from persons who are not currently clients.
• Under the direction of attorneys, advocate for persons in custody by administrative or other pre-litigation means.

Litigation-Support Duties:

• Conduct document productions and discovery in electronic format, using document management software.
• Draft simple legal documents and templates.
• Maintain litigation files.
• Proofread documents and other litigation materials.
• Schedule and monitor service of process for new cases and subpoenas in existing cases.
• Schedule depositions and arrange for court reporters and location/videoconference.
• Prepare for trial, and support lawyers in the presentation of evidence in jury and bench trials and other hearings.
• Receive, scan, distribute and file all incoming pleadings, orders, discovery and correspondence.

Administrative Duties:

• Administrative responsibilities associated with office management such as mail, phone coverage, supplies, office receivables & payables, supplies, equipment, vendor and facility liaison.
• Administrative responsibilities in support of other office staff, such as preparing, submitting, and tracking expense reports, preparing timesheets, and helping to coordinate and welcome visitors.

Other Job Duties:

• Communicate with experts, witnesses, outside investigators, and co-counsel, as directed.
• Other litigation and administrative support tasks as assigned.
• Participate in training related to office technology and office-wide practices.
• Attend MJC organization-wide meetings and training.

Qualifications

Education/Certifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Bachelor’s/Associate’s degree in relevant field (criminal justice, law, psychology, sociology, etc.) or paralegal certificate preferred but not required.

Skills and Experience:

• • 1+ years of litigation support, paralegal experience, or advocacy work in the areas of transformational justice, criminal legal system reform, or de-incarceration a plus
  • Comfortable working in detention centers and with people caught up in the criminal legal system.
  • Energetic self-starter with a desire to make changes in the criminal legal system.
  • Ability to work within a team environment that is inclusive, equitable and welcoming, and a willingness to honor the diverse experiences and perspectives of MJC staff and clients.
  • Attention to detail and strong organizational skills, including the ability to follow through on assignments independently, manage multiple projects at once, work well under pressure, and flexibility in the event of changing priorities/deadlines.
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills.
  • Must possess excellent interpersonal skills.
  • High level of confidentiality and professionalism are required.
  • Must be mature, possess emotional intelligence, flexible and adaptable to varying situations.

Technology:

• Proficiency with Microsoft Products, including SharePoint, OneDrive, Word, Excel, and Outlook required.
• Proficiency with Adobe Pro and case management and trial presentation software, such as Relativity, CaseMap, and Clio preferred.

Travel:

• Limited domestic travel may be required depending on case assignments and office demands.
• Occasional travel for organization-wide gatherings (e.g., All Staff Retreat).

Location:

MJC operates on a hybrid schedule and requires some days in the office each week. The Legal Assistant must reside within commuting distance to our New Orleans office

TO APPLY

Please submit the following:

• A cover letter addressing your experience relevant to the considerations above and
• A resume.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis through 3/28/2025 or until the position is filled.

The starting salary range for this position is $60,000 – $65,000, commensurate with years of experience and includes an excellent benefits package that includes employer-sponsored health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, EAP, FSA plans, 401K, and a generous paid-time-off policy. Learn more about our benefits at macarthurjustice.org/benefits/

MJC is a (PSLF) eligible employer. For more information visit:

studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service#qualifying-employment