ABOUT THE JOB

The ACLU seeks a full-time position of Paralegal in the Program on Freedom Religion and Belief of the ACLU’s National office in Washington, DC.

From its earliest days supporting conscientious objectors to war and defending John Scopes in the infamous “Monkey Trial” of 1925, the ACLU has worked tirelessly to defend the right to religious liberty nationwide. Today, the national ACLU’s Program on Freedom Religion and Belief protects this fundamental right by helping to ensure that governmental laws and practices neither promote religion nor interfere with its free exercise. The Program fights to preserve religious freedom and the right of individual conscience through an integrated strategy of litigation, education, and public advocacy.

Reporting to the Project Director and Senior Staff Attorney, the Paralegal will be a core member of a collaborative, dedicated team working to advance the ACLU’s mission to advance and protect the freedom of religion and belief.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Cite-check, format, and proofread documents, including legal briefs, memoranda, demand letters, and other correspondence
Conduct legal research and monitor cases on Westlaw
Assist in carrying out other litigation-related tasks, including editing discovery requests and responses, reviewing evidence, and preparing for depositions
Conduct Internet and other factual research in connection with prospective or ongoing litigation, policy matters, or public education efforts
Work with the Program attorneys to track state legislation and conduct related research
Maintain and ensure the accuracy of the Program’s litigation docket and calendar, and organize and maintain litigation and policy files
Assist in the development and maintenance of the Program’s website and other public information outlets.
Receive requests for legal assistance and ensure timely responses to inquiries
Work with other national ACLU projects, ACLU state affiliates nationwide, and allies
Assist Program staff regarding strategic planning and related matters
Work on special projects and other duties as assigned by the Director and Senior Staff Attorney.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A Bachelor’s degree is required
Excellent research skills, including Internet research
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Must take initiative, be highly organized, detail-oriented, and possess strong interpersonal and time-management skills
Strong computer skills with advanced knowledge in Microsoft Office Suite e.g. Outlook, Word, Excel, etc. Basic knowledge of Westlaw is preferred
Experience creating tables of contents, tables of authorities, and mail merges
Ability to work independently as well as within a team
Ability to work with a wide range of people and foster a team environment
Commitment to the mission of the ACLU. Demonstrated interest in religious liberty issues is preferred
Demonstrate a commitment to diversity within the office using a personal approach that values all individuals and respects differences in regards to race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, disability and socio-economic circumstance
Commitment to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and/or conflicts

ABOUT THE ACLU

The ACLU dares to create a more perfect union – beyond one person, party, or side. Our mission is to realize this promise of the United States Constitution for all and expand the reach of its guarantees.

For over 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether it’s ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ+ community, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people from government abuse and overreach.

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty, equality, and justice for all. We are a community committed to learning and growth, humility and grace, transparency and accountability. We believe in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people within our organization – one that respects and embraces difference; treats everyone equitably; and empowers our colleagues to do the best work possible. We are as committed to anti-oppression and anti-racism internally as we are externally. Because whether we’re in the courts or in the office, we believe ‘We the People’ means all of us.

The ACLU is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Black people, Indigenous people, people of color; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex people; women; people with disabilities, protected veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals are all strongly encouraged to apply.

The ACLU makes every effort to assure that its recruitment and employment provide all qualified persons, including persons with disabilities, with full opportunities for employment in all positions.

The ACLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please email benefits.hrdept@aclu.org. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.