Job Abstract

The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time position of Paralegal in the Human Rights Program of the ACLU’s National office in New York, NY. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month.

The Human Rights Program is part of the ACLU’s Center for Democracy, which works to strengthen democratic institutions and values, including the values of government transparency and accountability, and to reinforce the United States’ commitment to human rights and the rule of law. The Center for Democracy encompasses the ACLU’s work on human rights, voting rights, immigrants’ rights, national security, and speech, privacy and technology.

The mission of the Human Rights Program (HRP) is to integrate a human rights framework into ACLU advocacy and to use international law and accountability mechanisms, documentation, and strategic litigation to effect change in U.S. law and policy as well as to seek remedies for victims. HRP conducts human rights documentation and related advocacy to combat rights violations in the U.S., and it engages in advocacy and litigation before U.S. courts and international bodies, including the United Nations and regional human rights bodies such as the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. HRP’s main strategic goal and priority is to end mass incarceration in the U.S., including the use of inhumane, excessive and racially biased punishments.

• Respond to requests for legal assistance and ensure timely responses to inquiries, utilize and maintain intake databases and tracking systems
• Cite check, format, produce, and serve litigation documents such as briefs, motions, declarations, deposition summaries, discovery requests and responses, and correspondence
• Analyze/index, cite check, and format materials including affidavits, discovery production, Freedom of Information Act requests, letters, and other documents
• Manage, organize, and prepare exhibits, evidence, correspondence, and other documents for depositions, trials, and other litigation proceedings
• Conduct research; cite check, format reports, briefing papers, and submissions to international forums
• Develop, update, and maintain the Program’s website and other public information outlets, as needed
• Provide litigation support to attorneys, including with client and witness interviews, as needed
• Conduct research for use in human rights reports, litigation and advocacy documents and policy presentations; collaborate with other staff in preparing background memoranda and policy presentations on selected litigation and policy issues
• Maintain case files, attorney correspondence files, databases, litigation docket and calendar, and timekeeping system
• Assist attorneys and researchers with legislative tracking and analysis
• Handle general administrative duties for the Program including processing invoices, tracking expenses, calculating attorney’s fees and costs, preparing expense reports, ordering supplies, etc.
• Schedule meetings and conference calls and handle travel arrangements for staff
• Provide administrative support for Program staff’s review of applications for new staff and intern positions
• Work jointly with interns and communicate routine and/or procedural guidance on projects assigned by managers
• Perform job-related special projects, support other legal department projects, and other duties as assigned by the Director and other Program staff

• Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU
• Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives
• Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts

• Must possess strong administrative, organizational and time management skills
• Must possess strong writing and proofreading skills
• Must be detail oriented and adept at managing multiple tasks simultaneously
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (i.e. Word, Excel, Outlook) and have experience with Internet research
• Must be a self-starter, take initiative, and work well in a dynamic environment
• Ability to work independently, as well as within a team

• Bachelor’s degree. One year of legal assistant or paralegal experience preferred
• Knowledge and experience using the human rights framework and the international human rights system are preferred
• Knowledge and experience advocating on issues of racial justice, policing, and the criminal legal system are preferred.
• Fluency in Spanish is preferred but not required

For over 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether it’s ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ+ community, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people.

We know that great people make a great organization. We value our people and know that what we offer is essential not just their work, but to their overall well-being.

At the ACLU, we offer a broad range of benefits, which include:

• Time away to focus on the things that matter with a generous paid-time off policy
• Focus on your well-being with comprehensive healthcare benefits (including medical, dental and vision coverage, parental leave, gender affirming care & fertility treatment)
• Plan for your retirement with 401k plan and employer match
• We support employee growth and development through annual professional development funds, internal professional development programs and workshops

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty, equality, and justice for all. For us diversity, equity and inclusion are not just check-the-box activities, but a chance for us to make long-term meaningful change. We are a community committed to learning and growth, humility and grace, transparency and accountability. We believe in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people within our organization – one that respects and embraces difference; treats everyone equitably; and empowers our colleagues to do the best work possible. We are as committed to anti-oppression and anti-racism internally as we are externally. Because whether we’re in the courts or in the office, we believe ‘We the People’ means all of us.

With this commitment in mind, we strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

The ACLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please email benefits.hrdept@aclu.org. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.