Paralegal

Organization Description

The National Student Legal Defense Network, also known as Student Defense, is a non-profit

legal-advocacy organization working to advance students’ rights to educational opportunity and

ensure that higher education serves as a launching point for economic mobility. Through

litigation and advocacy, Student Defense protects students and student loan borrowers from

predatory, deceptive, and other abusive practices in higher education.

Student Defense focuses on holding institutions and government actors accountable when they

fail to protect students or uphold the law. Our work spans the student lifecycle, including

recruitment, educational quality, student supports, debt relief, and repayment. We use impact

litigation, regulatory advocacy, policy development, and strategic communications to secure

relief for students and strengthen consumer protections. We also work across the country to

improve access to public benefits for students and, through our SHAPE AI initiative, to promote

only ethical and responsible uses of AI technology by institutions of higher education.

The paralegal will join a mission-driven legal team committed to rigorous advocacy, client centered

representation, and accountability in higher education. This role will support attorneys

and policy staff in developing cases, managing litigation and administrative records, conducting

factual and legal research, supporting our communications team, and helping ensure that Student

Defense’s work remains grounded in the experiences of students and borrowers directly

affected by unlawful and unfair practices.

A minimum of 1-2 years of work experience is required, preferably in a legal department or a

law firm. This position is remote, with occasional in-person meetings and events. Residency in

the Washington D.C. area is required.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The Paralegal will be responsible for:

• Supporting case development efforts by conducting plaintiff outreach and vetting, factual

case research, and producing written explanatory materials as needed;

• Providing litigation support to a team of attorneys, including formatting and preparing

legal documents for filing; cite checking and proofreading legal motions and memoranda;

reviewing materials produced in discovery; communicating with clients and co-counsel;

and assisting with case management;

• Serving as the primary administrative point person on matters to support the entire legal

team;

• Coordinating the organization’s public records requests, including drafting requests,

tracking status and deadlines of requests and agency responses, reviewing, organizing,

and maintaining electronic files of all related materials;

• Updating the website and social media platforms;

• Managing email and outreach lists;

• Drafting and editing communications materials; and

• Managing the intake process by identifying individuals for potential representation;

responding to intake questions and concerns appropriately, accurately, and timely; and

screening individuals before they meet with attorneys.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have:

• Strong administrative, research, writing, and communication skills and a high-level of

attention to detail in a fast-paced work environment;

• At least 1-2 years of experience working as a paralegal;

• Sound judgement and discretion in handling and communicating confidential and

sensitive client information;

• Exemplary organizational and interpersonal skills; resourceful, forward-thinking and the

ability to work independently with little supervision in a small, start-up environment; and

• A commitment to Student Defense’s mission, purpose, and values.

Salary and Benefits

Salary is commensurate with experience, with an annual salary range between $55,000- $65,000.

Student Defense offers excellent benefits, including healthcare, and a pre-tax retirement match.

To Apply

Please e-mail a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to careers@defendstudents.org as soon

as possible. Student Defense will review applications and make decisions on a rolling basis.

Student Defense is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer and encourages

applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion,

sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability or veteran status, or other non-workrelated factors.

Healthcare and pre-tax retirement match.