Legal Assistant

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. CAIR’s vision is to be a leading advocate for justice and mutual understanding. CAIR’s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.

Job Title: Legal Assistant

Department: CAIR Legal Defense Fund

Position: Full-Time

FLSA: Non-Exempt (Hourly)

Reports to: Legal Operations Manager

Business Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time Zone)

Work Model: Remote

Rate of Pay: A candidate in this role will receive a starting hourly rate of $28.84 per hour.

Where we Operate: This position is open to candidates who are legally authorized to work in the United States and currently reside in the following: Alabama, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Position Summary:

The Legal Assistant will work under the supervision of the Legal Operations Manager and play a key role in supporting the organization’s legal work.

Essential Functions/Duties

• The successful candidate should have prior non-profit experience.
• A strong work ethic and deep commitment to civil rights issues are essential.
• Job responsibilities include assisting staff attorneys with in-house litigation, civil rights, employment discrimination, law enforcement harassment, school bullying, border delays, and public accommodations.
• The ability to multitask and handle overlapping deadlines.

Responsibilities:

• The Legal Assistant will be primarily responsible for:
• Conducting client intake and keeping detailed and organized case logs.
• Legal assistants handle and submit briefs for e-filing with various federal courts.
  • Providing ongoing administrative support for pending litigation, including document review, hearing and motion preparation, calendaring impending deadlines, and formatting litigation materials for court.
  • Corresponding with clients and investigating their claims.
• Keeping clients appraised of any developments with their cases.
• Maintaining accurate and thorough case records
• Scheduling appointments
• Legal assistants are also tasked with managing the Civil Rights hotline (Receiving and making telephone calls)
• Drafting and typing office memos
• Obtaining detailed fact summaries of cases, and other administrative duties.
• Hosting workshops and attending community outreach events as needed.
• Ensuring timely filings.
• Managing interns and clerks to provide a dynamic, immersive, and beneficial experience.
• Formatting briefs for clean submissions.
• Occasionally do legal research for the attorneys and provide substantive feedback.
• Communicating with clients with consistency
• Legal assistants also mail out documents to clients, courts, and administrative bodies and handle and process incoming mail to the Legal Defense Fund.
• Any other duties as assigned.

Skills and education requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree Strong organizational abilities with an eye for detail.
• Effective time management to meet important deadlines.
• The ability to communicate effectively with colleagues and clients.
• Familiarity with local, state, and federal filing rules, elementary legal procedures, and terminology is a plus.
• Understanding legal research and writing is a plus.
• The ability to communicate in a language other than English is a plus.