Supervising Paralegal

Job Opportunity
Supervising Paralegal
Asian Law Caucus (ALC)

Location: Hybrid work schedule (Oakland or San Francisco, CA).

Due Date: Applications are due by September 30, 2024. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, and applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

Start date: As soon as possible.

Type: Regular, Full-Time, Exempt, Management Position.

Compensation: The annual compensation, which depends on years of relevant experience, ranges from $78,000 to $107,990.

Benefits

ALC’s comprehensive benefits package includes generous vacation and paid holidays; medical, dental, disability, and life insurance coverage (ALC pays 100% of premiums for employees and 75% for qualified dependents); a flexible spending account (FSA); and a 401K retirement plan with employer non-elective contribution and match.

The Opportunity

Join ALC in our mission to champion justice and equality as our new Supervising Paralegal. You will play a pivotal role in defending fundamental rights across various fronts, including workers’ rights, housing rights, immigrant rights, community safety, voting rights, national security, and civil rights. Your expertise will serve as a cornerstone of our impact litigation and direct services cases, driving positive change and ensuring fair treatment for our communities.

As a leader within our Legal Operations Department, you will not only excel in providing comprehensive litigation support but also inspire and guide a team of dedicated paralegals. Your role will encompass dynamic responsibilities, from training and mentoring paralegals to navigating complex legal procedures and systems with mastery and efficiency. Your adept communication skills and ability to foster collaboration will be instrumental in maintaining a cohesive and motivated team environment. Under the supervision of the Legal Director, you'll bring a high level of organization to and ensure seamless coordination of our legal efforts.

The Organization

ALC is the nation’s first legal organization focusing on advancing and defending the civil rights of Asian American and Pacific Islander (API) communities, including Arab and Middle Eastern communities (AMEMSA). Since 1972, ALC has ensured access to affordable housing in San Francisco’s Chinatown, litigated high-profile civil rights cases, advocated for the passage of landmark policy changes, and provided an array of services, including community education, advocacy, and direct client representation to further the rights of low-income immigrants and communities of color. Current program areas include Workers’ Rights, National Security & Civil Rights, Housing Rights, Immigrant Rights, Community Safety, and Voting Rights.

Responsibilities

Drafting and Preparing Court Filings

• Prepare and execute filings of a variety of legal documents for state and federal courts, including but not limited to memoranda, pleadings, briefs, motions, court forms, petitions, subpoenas, bills of costs, and discovery documents
• Draft correspondence, declarations, and various court/legal documents such as requests, notices, and orders
• Liaise with co-counsel, opposing counsel, clients, and court personnel
• Research court rules and procedures and communicate these to attorneys and paralegals to ensure the accuracy of filings and non-rejection by courts
• Assist attorneys with legal research, including cite-checking, internet searches, using off-site libraries, copying abstracts and cases, etc.
• Conduct factual and policy research
• Conduct and/or assist in client interviews
• Draft requests for public records/information, analyze and organize agency responses, and engage with agencies to obtain responsive information

Supervision

• In collaboration with attorneys, supervise Paralegals, including identifying professional development opportunities, providing recommendations on performance, conducting evaluations, and assisting with conflict resolution, when needed
• Assist the Legal Director with overall management of the Legal Operations team, including strategic planning and oversight of hiring and other processes
• Train current paralegals and new staff, as needed

Administrative

• Maintain primarily electronic case files, including pleadings, correspondence, discovery, and other materials
• Maintain a calendar of attorneys' litigation schedules
• Perform other duties as needed

Required Qualifications

• A deep commitment to the cause of civil liberties, social justice, immigrant rights, and/or civil rights
• At least five (5) years of full-time civil litigation support experience
• Previous experience with state and federal court filings in trial and/or appellate court
• Experiencing supporting all phases of civil litigation, including but not limited to motion practice, discovery, mediation, settlement, and trial
• Experience cite-checking and formatting briefs
• Proficient in researching federal, state, and local court rules
• Ability to navigate federal and state dockets
• Excellent typing and proofing skills
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Suite, Adobe, Westlaw
• Experience with legal case management systems
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
• Ability to work well under pressure, including some evenings and weekends
• Ability to set/change priorities according to deadline requirements
• Ability to take initiative, multi-task, and work independently
• Approaches problem-solving proactively and demonstrates strong judgment and decision-making capability
• Team player and collaborator who enjoys working with colleagues of diverse backgrounds and experiences

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with cases in one of our direct services areas (Immigrant Rights, Housing Rights, Workers' Rights)
• Experience working with community members affected by the immigration, housing, employment, and/or criminal legal system is highly desired
• Completion of an American Bar Association-accredited and certified paralegal program

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit the following by September 30, 2024:

1. Cover letter explaining your interest in the position
2. Resume
3. Writing sample (no more than ten (10) pages)
4. Three (3) professional references
   

ALC is committed to the principles of equal employment. We are committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities, and all other employment laws and regulations. It is our intent to maintain a work environment that is free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation based on an individual’s race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, reproductive health decision-making, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender (including gender identity and gender expression), age (40 years and over), sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status, protected medical leaves (requesting or approved for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act or the California Family Rights Act), domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, height, weight, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. ALC is dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy in regard to all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, and other compensation, termination, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.