The ACLU OF NEVADA Seeks a Half-time Paralegal/Legal Advocacy Coordinator

The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Nevada (ACLUN) seeks applicants for a half-time paralegal to work in our office in Las Vegas. The ACLUN is an affiliate of the national ACLU and works to protect civil liberties in Nevada. For more information about the ACLUN and its legal work, please see: www.aclunv.org. The paralegal/Legal Advocacy Coordinator will provide strategic support and coordination for the ACLUN’s growing Legal Department. S/he will manage filings and administrative support for the Department, which includes a General Counsel, two Staff Attorneys, and a Legal Fellow. S/he will also proactively help identify, investigate and respond to alleged civil liberties and civil rights violations to achieve maximum impact on litigation, including investigating complaints in Nevada and/or working with coalition. This position requires a self-directed, highly-organized person with energy and enthusiasm.

Responsibilities Include:

Administrative:

• Create and meticulously manage case file system and obtain case information on Pacer.
• Respond to phone calls and correspondence or refer to the appropriate legal staff member.
• Assure that photocopying, mailing letters, and coordinating meetings for the Legal Department are completed. Serve documents and run errands to the courthouse.

Legal Program and Docket:

• Calendar all case dates; update both internal and public dockets as necessary.
• Post and update public docket, as well as Legal Department materials, publications, ,and news/press releases on the ACLUN website and provide to newsletter staff.
• Enter attorney and paralegal time into database on monthly basis.

Case Management and Plaintiff Liaison:

• Primary contact for plaintiffs; refer questions to the appropriate attorney, set up communication events, track and organize.

Research and Filing Assistance:

• Perform investigations of complaints, internet searches and other research to investigate facts regarding complaints received.
• Assist with cite-checking and legal research.
• Under the supervision of an attorney, draft basic legal documents such as stipulations.
• Compile final documents for copying and filing/serving; coordinate with attorneys.
• Provide department with background information and supporting materials for litigation

Coordinating Law Interns, Work-Study Students, and Volunteers:

• Responsible for working with the Las Vegas Staff Attorney to coordinate with law interns, externs, and legal volunteers for the Las Vegas office.
• Serve as primary liaison between the ACLUN and law schools’ career services departments.

Cooperating Attorneys:

• Assist ACLUN attorneys with building and maintaining relationships with cooperating attorneys and potential cooperating attorneys, and reaching out to cooperating attorneys with information about the Legal Program and potential litigation.
• Maintain and update cooperating attorney list with current contact information.

Qualifications—Required:

• Excellent organizational skills and a track record of successfully providing administrative support.
• Research skills.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and handle a variety of tasks, and meet established deadlines and ability to work in a fast-paced, stressful workplace.
• Excellent computer skills, including databases, word processing, spreadsheets, email and online communications.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with a wide variety of people, including but not limited to board members, staff, volunteers, interns, coalition partners, organizational donors and media.
• Proven interest in legal work or nonprofit management. Knowledge of diverse groups, experience working with a multicultural workforce and sensitivity and appreciation of cultural differences is required, as is an understanding of the meaning of civil liberties and a commitment to supporting efforts to uphold them is essential; commitment to the mission of the ACLUN.
• Paralegal certification and/or BA/BS degree.

Qualifications—Desired:

• Spanish speaking and writing ability preferred.
• Experience in handling civil liberties/rights complaints and/or working in a nonprofit organization setting.

Supervision:
The Paralegal/Legal Advocacy Coordinator reports to the Las Vegas Staff Attorney.

Compensation:
Based on ACLUN scale and dependent on experience and qualifications.

To Apply:
To apply, please submit a package of five items: (1) a letter explaining your interest in the position; (2) a current resume; (3) a transcript from the highest educational institution you have attended; (4) the names and telephone numbers of two references; and (5) a non-fiction writing sample to:

Maggie McLetchie
Staff Attorney, The ACLU of Nevada
732 South 6th St., Ste 200A
Las Vegas, NV 89101

No telephone or email inquiries please.