Paralegal

Under direction of the Executive Director of the Innocence and Justice Clinic, formerly the California Innocence Project (“The Clinic”). The Paralegal will provide a full range of paralegal services and litigation support to attorneys and clinic students working on Clinic cases. The Paralegal will be responsible for responding to letters, phone calls, and emails sent to The Clinic. The Paralegal will manage the Clinic’s case management and document management systems and assist in the processing of budget and travel requests. The Paralegal will also assist in preparing documents and exhibits for pleadings and hearings on Clinic cases.

Qualifications:

• An Associate’s Degree, or a Paralegal Certificate from an accredited school, required.
• Proficiency in the Spanish language required.
• Minimum of two (2) years of paralegal experience required.
• Interest in criminal law and/or experience in post-conviction representation preferred but not required.
• Experience in higher education is beneficial but not required.
• Interest in working with law students.
• The individual must have daily access to a reliable vehicle. Must be able to obtain and/or maintain a valid California driver’s license and personal vehicle insurance acknowledging the vehicle is used for employee’s work purposes. Must maintain a clean driving record.
• This position requires a firm commitment to providing exemplary services in a demanding and challenging environment. Individual must be motivated, highly organized, and a self-directed individual with excellent interpersonal skills who can effectively multitask and handle a variety of matters independently, with minimal supervision, in a professional and polished manner with appropriate judgment. Attention to detail is crucial.

Primary Responsibilities (includes but not limited to):

• Manage Clinic calendars.
• Assist in processing budgetary and travel requests.
• Answer phone calls made to the Clinic and log clinic communications.
• Review and respond to letters from prospective Clinic clients (primarily incarcerated individuals in the State of California asserting claims of wrongful conviction).
• Review and analyze documents to make initial determinations of eligibility for services.
• Communicate effectively with clients, witnesses, colleagues, prospective clients, law students, and court personnel.
• Communicate effectively in Spanish and provide Spanish-to-English translation services.
• Assist with table of contents, tables of authorities, exhibit indexes, and citations checks in court filings.
• Assist in litigation support, preparing demonstrative evidence and exhibits for pleadings and court proceedings.
• Administer, update, and maintain the Clinic’s case management (Clio Manage) and document management systems.
• Use litigation support technology in the organization, analysis, and preparation of cases.
• Organizing and maintaining voluminous discovery and electronically stored information (ESI) using a range of formats and platforms.
• Obtain, gather, and organize records.
• Assist with the oversight of clinic volunteers.
• Advise the Executive Director of departmental status and issues as they arise, as necessary.
• Work with appropriate level of assistance, instruction, and supervision.

1. Perform, with a team approach, other duties as assigned.
2. Possess a reputation for person and professional integrity and a commitment to helping individuals accused or convicted of criminal offenses.

Compensation: $67,000.00 - $72,000.00 Annual Salary

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the law school reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the law school anticipates paying for this position, based on internal equity and budget.

The law school offers competitive benefits for eligible employees, including, but not limited to:

• Generous employer contribution for Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance (depending on which plan/level the employee elects).
• 403 (b) Employer Retirement contribution of 8% (up to 8k per year) Fully and immediately vested.
• Company Paid Life and AD&D Insurance.
• Paid Long-Term Disability Insurance.
• Flexible Spending Plan.
• Reduced Summer Work Schedule (paid).
• Paid Fall and Winter Breaks.
• Additional 10+ Paid Holidays.
• Accrued Paid Time Off.
• Wellness Programs.

Perks:

• Little Italy/Downtown location for convenient access to great restaurants and after-hour activities.
• Free on-campus parking facilities provided.
• Employee engagement events.
• On-Campus Convenience Store.
• Complimentary bottomless Specialty Coffee.
• Use of on-campus Law Library facilities.

Resume and Cover Letter Required. The cover letter must explain why you would be a good fit for the position of Paralegal for the Innocence and Justice Clinic. Upload your cover letter and resume as a unified PDF with the documents bookmarked.

Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis through June 23, 2025.

APPLY NOW

Complete an application through the CWSL Career Center website at https://workforcenow.adp.com/jobs/apply/posting.html?client=35y2n&ccId=19000101_000001&type=MP&lang=en_US or visit our website at CWSL.edu and search Current Job Openings.

About us:

Established in 1924, CWSL is an ABA accredited and AALS member, non-profit law school located in downtown San Diego, California. CWSL has the distinction of being San Diego’s oldest law school. CWSL is the recipient of numerous community service awards, including the State Bar of California President’s Pro Bono Service Award, and the federal government’s President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. The law school is also home to numerous outstanding programs, including the Innocence & Justice Clinic, Community Law Project, and New Media Rights Program. The faculty are dedicated to teaching, research, and service to the community. Detailed information is available at https://www.cwsl.edu/

California Western School of Law is committed to using the law to prevent and solve human and societal problems. In conjunction with our mission - to train ethical, competent, and compassionate lawyers, representative of our diverse society and equipped to use the law effectively and creatively on behalf of all members of society - we value a rich diversity among our students, alumni, faculty, and staff, as well as in the larger communities of which we are a part.

The law school is an Equal Opportunity Employer dedicated to excellence through diversity. The law school provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities upon request.

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