Posted on August 22, 2012

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Paralegal

The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation (ACLU), founded in 1920, is a nationwide, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with more than 500,000 members, and is dedicated to the principles of liberty and equality embodied in the U.S. Constitution. The Center for Liberty of the ACLU’s National office in New York City is seeking applicants for the full-time position of Paralegal.

OVERVIEW: The ACLU’s Center for Liberty encompasses the ACLU’s work on women’s rights, reproductive freedom, LGBT rights and the rights of people living with HIV, and freedom of religion and belief. The Center for Liberty is dedicated to the principle that we are all entitled to determine the course of our lives based on who we are and what we believe, free from unreasonable government constraint and baseless stereotypes.

The Center for Liberty’s priorities include the following: ensuring that anti-discrimination laws and other protected liberties are not undermined by unwarranted claims for exemptions and accommodations based on religious or moral objections; ensuring marriage for same-sex couples everywhere in America; securing insurance coverage – private and public – for abortion; and ending gender stereotyping and ensuring equal opportunity regardless of sex in public school. The Center furthers its priorities and program work using litigation, advocacy, and communications strategies.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The Paralegal will be an integral part of the Center for Liberty team. Responsibilities include:

• Monitor, analyze, and summarize state policy proposals and related developments;
• Maintain a database of relevant state legislative activity, with particular responsibility for tracking bills in the state legislature concerning abortion;
• Conduct internet and other factual research and collaborate with attorneys in preparing background memoranda on selected issues relevant to policy, litigation, or campaigns within the Center;
• Assist in the production and organization of legal documents and dockets;
• Collect and analyze statistical and social science data for use in litigation and advocacy;
• Draft, proofread and format advocacy materials, including fact sheets on state legislation and other state policy proposals;
• Assist in the development and maintenance of Center for Liberty websites and other public information outlets;
• Perform special projects and other duties as assigned by the Director and staff attorneys.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Bachelor’s degree is required; and one year of paralegal or related experience is preferred;
• Familiarity with legislative processes is strongly preferred, but not required;
• Excellent research, including internet research, and writing skills;
• Must take initiative, be highly organized and detail oriented and possess strong interpersonal and time-management skills;
• Able to multi-task, demonstrate grace under pressure and meet deadlines;
• Ability to work independently as well as within a team;
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point and database software. Experience with Westlaw strongly preferred;
• Experience with creation of and maintenance of websites, layout and electronic posting of content is strongly preferred;
• Experience creating tables of contents, tables of authorities, mail merges, and creating/inserting macros preferred;
• Some travel may be required;
• Demonstrated commitment to the ACLU’s mission to defend civil rights and civil liberties.

COMPENSATION: The ACLU offers a generous and comprehensive compensation and benefits package, commensurate with experience and within parameters of the ACLU compensation scale.

This job description provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. It does not represent a contract of employment. The ACLU reserves the right to change the job description and/or posting at any time without advance notice.

The ACLU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals including women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals.

The ACLU comprises two separate corporate entities, the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU Foundation. Both the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU Foundation are national organizations with the same overall mission, and share office space and employees. The ACLU has two separate corporate entities in order to do a broad range of work to protect civil liberties. This job posting refers collectively to the two organizations under the name “ACLU.”

TO APPLY: Please indicate in your cover letter where you learned of this career opportunity. Applications accepted until the position is filled. Please submit cover letter (including salary requirements), resume, at least two references and writing sample (no more than five pages in length) by email to hrjobsCFL@aclu.org, include [RE: CL-04/PND] in the subject line, or by mail to:

Human Resources
RE: [CL-04/PND]
American Civil Liberties Union
125 Broad Street, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10004