Paralegal and Research Associate

About CAC

The Constitutional Accountability Center (CAC) is a nonprofit law firm and think tank dedicated to fulfilling the inherently progressive promise of the Constitution’s text, history, and values. We work in our courts, through our government, and with legal scholars to make real the rights and freedoms the Constitution provides for all in America. CAC does principally amicus briefing at the Supreme Court and lower federal courts, and our work spans a wide range of substantive issues.

To make real the promises of our national charter, we must honor and celebrate different ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds, and especially the contributions of historically marginalized communities. As an organization, we make every effort to live by these ideals and help create the conditions that will allow all individuals and communities to thrive. CAC is an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to the recruitment, development, and retention of talented and diverse staff who believe in true justice and equality for all people.

CAC operates with a hybrid work schedule, with all staff working in the Washington, DC office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

To learn more about the Constitutional Accountability Center, please visit www.theusconstitution.org.

Position Summary

CAC seeks a highly effective and detail-oriented individual to serve as our Paralegal and Research Associate. The Paralegal and Research Associate will assist with the production and filing of legal briefs, making sure our briefs and other products continue to meet the highest standards, conducting legal and historical research, and performing communications and administrative tasks.

The Paralegal and Research Associate’s duties will include:

• Assisting CAC’s litigation team in the production and filing of legal briefs, including cite-checking and formatting briefs.
• Maintaining the CAC website, including updating litigation case summaries and posting the newest think tank products.
• Providing research support for the litigation and think tank teams.
• Assisting in the production of other CAC litigation, think tank, and communications products, including cite-checking, proofreading, and sending messages to CAC’s listserv.
• Conducting administrative tasks that support CAC’s litigation and communications work and the office as a whole.

The Paralegal and Research Associate reports to CAC’s Chief Counsel.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree with research experience;
• Excellent attention to detail;
• Strong reading and writing skills;
• Ability to be a team player as well as a self-starter;
• Interest in communications and advocacy about legal issues;
• Demonstrated dedication to a progressive vision; and
• Experience with Westlaw and The Bluebook desirable but not required.

Salary and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $48,000 with less than one year of relevant work experience, $49,000 with one year, and $50,000 with two or more years.

CAC provides an excellent benefits package to our staff, including health, dental, and vision insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, SmarTrip benefits, a 403(b) match after one year of employment, health and fitness reimbursements, three weeks of paid vacation, one week of paid sick leave, and paid leave for federal holidays.

How to Apply

Please send a résumé, cover letter, and relevant writing sample that includes a cover page briefly explaining the context in which it was written, and whether and how the sample was edited based on suggestions from others.

Please email your application materials as one PDF to Ana Lucia Verduzco at analucia@theusconstitution.org.

After interviewing, candidates moving forward in the process will be asked to complete a legal writing cite-checking and proofreading exercise.

The position will remain open until filled.

CAC provides an excellent benefits package to our staff, including health, dental, and vision insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, SmarTrip benefits, a 403(b) match after one year of employment, health and fitness reimbursements, three weeks of paid vacation, one week of paid sick leave, and paid leave for federal holidays.