Legal Assistant

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

The ACLU is the nation’s foremost defender of civil liberties and civil rights, dedicated to defending the Bill of Rights and advocating for marginalized communities through litigation, legislation, and public education. The ACLU of Texas, founded in 1938 and headquartered in Houston, is one of the largest ACLU affiliates in the nation. The ACLU of Texas has regional offices in Austin, Brownsville, Dallas, and El Paso.

Whether it’s protecting the rights of immigrants, ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBT community, or preserving the right to vote and reproductive rights, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil rights and liberties cases to defend all people from government abuse and overreach.

ROLE OVERVIEW

The ACLU of Texas seeks a full-time legal assistant to provide strategic support and coordination for the Legal Department. They will assist in the identification, research,investigation, and response to civil liberties and civil rights violations. Additionally, they will help manage legal filings and administrative support for the Department. This position requires a self-directed, highly organized person with energy, initiative, and enthusiasm

Responsibilities and Expectations Include:

• Assist in case management, including maintenance of client relationships, court records and electronic files.
• Anticipate and identify litigation tasks in case management including but not limited to calendaring and case files.
• Conduct factual investigations related to potential civil rights violations, including handling on-site interviews and witness development.
• Assist with discovery, including preparing discovery requests and responses, as appropriate.
• Assist with drafting legal letters, FOIA and Public Information Act requests, and other correspondence, as appropriate, and managing responses.
• Perform general administrative work, including preparing documents for filing in court, assisting with finalizing motions, cite-checking, proof reading, and using PACER and Westlaw.
• Oversee management of intake process, including coordinating weekly intake review and data entry.
• Lead recruitment for intake interns and manage intake internship program.
• Prepare reports including but not limited to metrics and maintain docket

Qualifications

• Commitment to civil rights and civil liberties.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and handle a variety of tasks and meet established deadlines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Strong internet research skills.
• Well organized, efficient, and highly motivated.
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills and ability to work in a fast-paced
• workplace, including working nights and weekends when necessary.
• Knowledge of diverse groups, experience working with a multicultural workforce.
• Sensitivity and appreciation of cultural differences is required.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Willingness and ability to travel.
• A Houston-based location is required.
• Bilingual verbal and written communication skills are preferred but not required.

Excellent benefits include a generous paid time off policy; medical, dental and vision insurance; 401(k) plan with an employer match; life and long-term disability insurance, and generous paid holidays.