Litigation Assistant/Legal Practice Assistant
Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We take on the biggest, most precedent-setting cases across the country. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health; to preserve magnificent places and wildlife; to advance clean energy; and to combat climate change. We partner with thousands of groups, supporters, individuals and communities to engage the critical environmental issues of our time, and bring about positive change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.
Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental protections. We achieve this by hiring people who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment. Our headquarters are in San Francisco with offices in Anchorage, Houston, Juneau, Los Angeles, Miami, Tallahassee, Honolulu, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Denver, Seattle, Bozeman, and Washington, D.C.
Earthjustice is seeking a Litigation Assistant/Legal Practice Assistant to join our New York City office under a hybrid model. The Litigation Assistant/Legal Practice Assistant will be expected to work from the NYC office at least 2x/weekly.
This position facilitates the efficient operation of the New York office and our practice of law by providing administrative and litigation support to office staff.
Responsibilities:
Litigation Support (40%):
- The LPA/LA will work under the partial supervision of the Supervising Litigation Paralegal to support the office’s litigation needs, including but not limited to:
- Preparing and editing documents for filing, including: proofreading, cite- checking, Bluebooking, formatting, producing tables of contents and authorities, assembling exhibits, etc.
- Filing and serving paper and electronic filings.
- Ensuring, in coordination with attorneys, that filings comply with court and administrative agency rules, procedures, and deadlines.
- Creating, organizing, and maintaining case files and contacts.
- Computing and calendaring case-related deadlines.
- Assisting in the collection, processing, and review of incoming discovery productions, such as administrative records, including use of an eDiscovery software platform.
- Drafting basic pleadings and other case-related documents under attorney supervision, including: case initiating documents, proposed orders, cover letters, FOIA requests, pro hac vice applications, etc.
- Communicating with courts, clients, experts, opposing counsel, and government officials as requested or approved by attorneys.
- Supporting attorneys in gaining admission to courts, registration renewals, and creating and managing e-filing accounts.
- Tracking relevant dockets and issues related to the work of the New York office practices via the Federal Register, agency web sites, various distribution lists, media outlets, etc.
- Participating in conference calls and meetings when relevant to the position and/or assigned projects.
- General case-related administrative assistance (photocopying, correspondence, filing, taking meeting minutes, tracking case updates).
Administrative Support (40%):
The Legal Practice Assistant will work under the direct supervision of the Legal Practice Manager to provide administrative support for the Northeast Office staff, especially senior legal staff.
Duties may include:
- Reception, including regional office telephone, mail, and e-mail.
- Meeting, teleconference, and other event planning, scheduling, management, and follow-up.
- Preparing meeting agendas and taking minutes.
- Assist with logistics for events organized by NY Office Staff, including: social events, upon Social Committee request, donor related events, NY office retreats, staff lunches and happy hours, NY Office trainings and logistics, Intern and staff welcomes and farewells.
- Travel arrangements.
- Expense reimbursement and assistance with billing.
- Facilities maintenance, including tracking, ordering, and occasional local pick-up of supplies, general cleaning and maintenance of common areas and equipment (kitchen, conference rooms).
- Videoconference and routine IT assistance.
- Updating and maintaining electronic files.
- Participating in conference calls and meetings when relevant to the position and/or assigned projects.
- Other miscellaneous tasks, as assigned by Legal Practice Manager.
New York State Lobbying Compliance Assistant (15%)
- Assist General Counsel’s office in reporting state and/or local lobbying activities for individual lobbyists; prepare, submit and/or maintain state and local lobbying reports, amendments, terminations, and periodic disclosure reports
- Schedule lobbying related trainings and create presentations with training materials
- Coordinate logistics and staff inquiry related to lobbying matters, lobbying policies and procedures, and lobbying activities with specific attention to various jurisdictional disclosure requirements;
- Review staff-provided lobbying matters tracking information and use that to fill and file necessary reports (including follow up for clarification) regarding staffs’ lobbying-related income or expenditures.
- Respond to queries from finance department regarding staff lobbying hours and contracts to track lobbying expense for annual financial statement audit
- Assist with lobbying registrations in other states (as needed and required).
Onboarding Liaison (5%)
- Coordinate with hiring manager to onboard new hires and design onboarding plan
- Serve as the point contact for logistics and coordinate onboarding with different departments
- Share tools, resources, and partner on building out the plan by using existing templates and suggested questions from Onboarding Workgroup
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree and/or paralegal studies certificate and 0 to 2 years of office experience, legal experience, or comparable experience.
- Excellent computer skills and ability to learn new technologies (Microsoft Office programs, Adobe, financial databases and spreadsheets).
- A can-do attitude, meticulous attention to detail, and an unrelenting commitment to high performance standards.
- Ability to organize, set priorities among multiple assignments, meet deadlines, and function calmly under pressure.
- Advanced word processing skills, experience with discovery management programs is a plus.
- Self-motivated and able to work independently without supervision.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- A can-do attitude, with an ability and willingness to dive into unfamiliar areas, such as when filing court papers in a new venue.
- Availability for occasional travel and work outside normal working hours.
- Flexibility, punctuality, reliability, and integrity; a team player, who willingly performs necessary tasks.
- Interest in and commitment to environmental protection and the public interest.
- Knowledge of environmental issues highly desired, but not necessary.
- Demonstrates an awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds and orientations.
- Contributes to the creation of a diverse, equitable and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.
We offer a mission- and employee-focused work environment and a competitive compensation package, including excellent benefits. Earthjustice is an equal opportunity employer and highly values diversity. As a 501(c)(3) organization, Earthjustice is a qualifying employer for purposes of the
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.
Salary is dependent on experience and location. Salaries reflect FY24 ranges.
Salary range in New York, NY: $69,800 - $77,600.