Paralegal - Opportunity Under Law

ABOUT PUBLIC COUNSEL

Public Counsel is a nonprofit public interest law firm dedicated to advancing civil rights and racial and economic justice, as well as to amplifying the power of our clients through comprehensive legal advocacy. Founded on and strengthened by a pro bono legal service model, our staff and volunteers seek justice through direct legal services, promote healthy and resilient communities through education and outreach, and support community-led efforts to transform unjust systems through litigation and policy advocacy in and beyond Los Angeles.

Public Counsel organizes its work through seven legal teams: Child, Youth & Family Advocacy, Community Development, Consumer Rights & Economic Justice, Homelessness Prevention, Immigrants’ Rights, Education Equity, and our impact litigation team, Opportunity Under Law. 

Public Counsel has a staff of approximately 170. We are committed to building a diverse staff and encourage applications from people of color, people with disabilities, and people of all gender identities, gender expressions, and sexualities. We recognize the essential role of staff in achieving our goals, and we have set a long-term intention to provide competitive compensation, benefits, training, mentorship, and overall workplace wellness, making Public Counsel a leader among nonprofit law firms.

ABOUT OPPORTUNITY UNDER LAW

OUL brings community-based impact litigation to eliminate barriers to opportunity. We represent individuals and communities confronting structural injustice and discrimination In areas like education, housing, and immigration. Many of our cases arise from Public Counsel’s representation of individual clients who face persistent injustices. By working closely with the organization’s direct services programs and across its subject areas, OUL is uniquely positioned to bring meaningful impact cases in California and beyond, work closely with affected communities, and communicate broadly to advance public discourse. Our cases strategically pursue novel claims to address intersectional issues and secure landmark victories in doctrinal areas commonly regarded as off limits for civil rights advocacy.

JOB SUMMARY 

Reporting to the Program Manager, the Paralegal provides litigation support for Public Counsel’s impact litigation team. In partnership with the Program Manager, the Paralegal helps manage OUL’s litigation deadlines and provides high-quality litigation support to advance the goals of the clients and communities Public Counsel serves. A key member of OUL’s team, the Paralegal will work on OUL’s existing complex federal and state impact cases and will assist in the development of new impact litigation opportunities to promote civil rights and economic and racial justice in collaboration with the Director of Litigation, OUL Managing Attorney & project staff, Public Counsel’s other projects, and volunteer attorneys. The paralegal will support impact litigation teams with case preparation, client communication, document management, and litigation support. The position may involve some off-site work to engage in investigation and litigation support.

The Paralegal will provide critical litigation support to OUL’s existing impact litigation and help develop new litigation brought by OUL and specifically will: 

• Conduct trauma-informed interviews of individuals and draft declarations and complaint narratives, and other legal documents as assigned
• Conduct community and plaintiff-class outreach and fostering relationships with community-based organizations
• Prepare and finalize legal documents for filing, including formatting, cite checking in accordance with the Blue Book, and creating tables of contents and authorities
• File legal documents in state and federal courts
• Research local court rules on filing and service practices
• Assist with discovery, including document review and production
• Assist with trial, including preparing binders and exhibits
• Attend litigation team meetings
• Assist with fact and expert investigation into ongoing and potential litigation
• support coordination with pro bono volunteers, including co-counsel
• Assist with internal project management and coordination between the litigation team and other Public Counsel projects and departments
• Provide administrative support to the litigation team, including maintaining litigation calendars, scheduling meetings, document management, and time records for fee requests
• Perform other duties as assigned

ESSENTIAL JOB SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university and either: (1) a paralegal certificate/degree in paralegal studies from an ABA-approved institution; or (2) at least 1 year of experience in litigation support under the supervision of a California attorney
• 5-7 years of litigation support/paralegal experience
• Experience with trial and discovery support is strongly preferred
• Experience in supporting large teams/multiple attorneys or managing multiple caseloads is strongly preferred
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including excellent proofreading skills
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to prioritize, solve problems independently, and efficiently manage time to meet deadlines
• Proficiency in computer applications and databases (including Adobe, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Zoom, Teams, Office 365, Westlaw and Lexis) and an openness to using approved AI platforms as requested
• Ability to conduct research on legal procedures
• Knowledge of court systems and e-filing practices for state and federal courts
• Knowledge of Bluebook and California citation styles
• Fluency in written and spoken Spanish
• Ability to travel locally and nationally to engage in investigation and litigation support
• Ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds and in multidisciplinary teams
• Demonstrated commitment and comfort with trauma-informed legal advocacy, including empathy, responsive listening, restraint from judgement, and demonstration of authentic care and concern
• Ability to proactively manage up
• Open and growth mindset and commitment to a healthy organizational culture
• Excellent judgment and discretion as well as excellent interpersonal and organizational skills that gain and sustain respect internally and with external partners
• High levels of emotional intelligence and cultural competency, including being curious, self-aware, cognizant of bias, compassionate, patient, and willing to listen
• Commitment to economic and racial justice and Public Counsel’s mission

JOB TYPE AND BENEFITS

• Full-time/non-exempt
• Salary range is $60,903.12 - $65,030.88 ($31.23 -$33.35 per hour) depending upon years of experience.
• Bargaining
• Probationary period: 9 months

Public Counsel offers a competitive benefits package including:

• Medical coverage with an option for 100% employer-paid employee and dependent child(ren)’s premiums; buy up options are available for other HMO and PPO coverage 
• Dental and vision coverage 
• Option to enroll in a Flexible Spending Account
• Employer-paid life insurance and disability plans

Generous paid time off (per year):

• 15 accrued vacation days that increase to 20 days after 3 years of employment
• 12 accrued sick days that may be used for physical and mental health needs
• 2 personal observance days 
• 11 paid holidays plus 2 one-week office closures (during the summer and winter)
• Up to 60 hours of compensatory time per calendar year (for exempt staff only)

Additional benefits:

• 403(b) retirement plan with an elective employee contribution, and after a year of employment a discretionary employer contribution 
• Free on-site parking or public transportation reimbursement 
• $45 per pay period for employees who use non-English language skills to perform work duties
• Up to 6 months of parental leave 
• Organizational and team wellness activities to build team cohesion and camaraderie
• Professional development support and opportunities
• Annual payment of dues for required licenses or certifications (state bar dues for attorneys) and for a mutually agreed-upon professional organization 
• Centrally located headquarters in the heart of Koreatown, a vibrant neighborhood with easy access to public transportation, diverse dining options, and cultural attractions

HOW TO APPLY

We value lived experiences and experiences working with clients across a range of settings. Please consider discussing such experiences in your cover letter, especially if they are not reflected in your resume. 

PUBLIC COUNSEL VACCINATION POLICY   AND COVID-19 PROTOCOLS

Public Counsel requires vaccination against COVID-19 for all employees, including new hires. Pursuant to federal and state laws, Public Counsel will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified employees with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs, unless doing so would pose an undue hardship.

Public Counsel is generally office-based, but remote work was launched during the pandemic. All employees with Public Counsel are now required to work in the office at least one day per week, at the discretion of the head of department. Some positions require additional in-office days. This policy is subject to redesign by leadership.   Public Counsel will work in a manner consistent with public health and local and state emergency orders. 

PUBLIC COUNSEL EEO POLICY

Public Counsel is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate against employees or prospective employees on the basis of union membership or activity, race, religious creed, religious observance, ethnicity, color, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or predisposition, military service, military and veteran status, pregnancy, child birth and related medical conditions, marital and family status, national origin, ancestry, age, medical conditions as defined by state or federal law, or disability, or any other basis prohibited by law.

All qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring. Our leadership team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities discipline, discharge and general treatment during employment.