Entry Level Civil Rights Paralegal Jobs in California

Type: Regular, Non-Exempt, Full-time, This position is included in the collective bargaining unit represented by CWA Local 9410.

Location: San Francisco,CA. This is a hybrid role that is required to work in the office 2 days a week.

Deadline: Applications are due by Fri. Aug. 21.

Reports to: Housing Rights Program, Managing Attorney

Compensation and Benefits

The Senior Paralegal's salary range is between $90,270.72 and $101,599.92.

This position is eligible for language premiums for demonstrated proficiency in a language other than English that is regularly used in their job duties. The annual premium is $1,500 for oral proficiency and $1,500 for written proficiency in each language.

ALC's comprehensive benefits package includes generous vacation and paid holidays; medical, dental, disability, and life insurance coverage (ALC pays 100% of premiums for employees and 75% for qualified dependents); a flexible spending account (FSA); and a 401K retirement plan with employer non-elective contribution and match.

Travel & Meetings: All ALC staff are expected to participate in regular check-in meetings with their supervisor/supervisees, staff meetings, team meetings, and other organization meetings, as required. This includes two (2) annual retreats, an anniversary celebration dinner, and meetings as needed in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The Opportunity

Asian Law Caucus (ALC) seeks a full-time paralegal to support attorneys of the Housing Rights Program, providing representation and other legal services to low-income tenants, many of whom are Limited English Proficient (LEP) and immigrants. This position plays a key role in advocating for and providing robust and impactful legal services to our clients. Essential duties and responsibilities include: providing litigation support, including preparing briefs, discovery, forms and correspondence; filing documents with the courts, maintaining case documents and updating data for grant reporting; and conducting legal research interviewing clients and potential witnesses,identifying and assessing legal issues, and providing interpretation support. The paralegal will work under the supervision of the Housing Rights Program Managing Attorney and may take additional direction from other attorneys

The Organization

ALC is the nation's first legal organization focusing on advancing and defending the civil rights of Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities. Since 1972, ALC has fought for access to affordable housing in San Francisco's Chinatown, litigated high-profile civil rights cases, advocated for the passage of landmark policy changes, and provided an array of services including community education, advocacy, and direct client representation to further the rights of low-income immigrants and communities of color, across our Housing Rights, Workers' Rights, Immigrant Justice, and National Democracy Initiative programs, and other emerging areas of law.

Core Responsibilities

The paralegal provides litigation and other legal support to the Housing Rights attorneys. Day-to day responsibilities in this dynamic position vary, and include:

• Under attorney supervision, preparing responsive pleadings, stay of execution requests, other ex parte applications, noticed motions, and other necessary legal briefs as well as drafting correspondence to clients, witnesses, opposing counsel
• Filing documents, primarily through e-filing, with local California Superior Courts and federal courts, and arranging service of process
• Assisting attorneys with responding to and propounding discovery, document review, organizing exhibits, and summarizing depositions and other evidence produced in discovery
• Providing hearing and trial support, including assembling binders, organizing exhibits, and assisting attorneys during hearings and trial
• Conducting initial client interviews and other factual investigations, gathering case facts, and coordinating witness schedules
• Identifying and assessing legal issues and performing legal research including on relevant California statutes, case law, and court rules
• Maintaining electronic case notes, court and other deadlines, and files using legal management software (e.g., Clio) and other databases,preparing retainers and other forms, and organizing documents in Sharepoint
• Assisting with administrative and clerical duties such as entering client and case data to support program evaluation, outcome tracking and grant reporting, copying and filing; processing invoices, and documenting financial transactions, helping secure interpreters and translators or providing interpretation among clients, attorneys, and volunteers (if bilingual)
• Additional duties as needed

Required Qualifications

• Five or more years of experience working as a paralegal, including in tenant defense
• Strong understanding of California Rules of Court, local court rules, and legal terminology
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and/or immigrant communities, preferably with knowledge of tenant legal issues
• Excellent written, verbal and communication skills
• Well-organized, highly motivated, attentive to detail, and creative problem-solver
• Able to work with high level of independence and demonstrated ability in steering cases and projects on own initiative as well as in a team-oriented environment
• Able to work on several projects simultaneously, and handle high volume and pace activity while staying calm under pressure and flexible
• Bachelor's degree, or paralegal certificate from a program approved by the American Bar Association preferred
• Familiarity with case management systems is a plus, such as Clio.

Highly Desirable Qualifications

• Fluency in Cantonese, Mandarin, and/or Spanish
• Experience working with individuals whose primary language is not English and/or having disabilities and/or those experiencing a crisis and/or living in poverty
• Experience working in a non-profit legal service or other direct service environment

The position requires working with individuals during moments of extreme stress and instability. The position also requires the provision of culturally-sensitive, trauma-informed, and empathetic services. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.

A paralegal hired at the Senior level will exercise a greater degree of leadership and independence consistent with ALC's criteria for senior designation.

Application Process
Interested candidates should submit via BreezyHR the following:

1. Cover letter explaining your interest in the position
2. Resume
3. One writing sample (no more than ten (10) pages)
4. Three (3) professional references (including at least two direct supervisors)

Asian Law Caucus is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply, regardless of race, color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including HIV, cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital or domestic partner status, reproductive health decision-making, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions) gender (including gender identity and gender expression), age (40 years and over), sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status, protected medical leaves (requesting or approved for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act or the California Family Rights Act), domestic violence victim and survivor status, political affiliation, height, weight, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Employment Type: FULL_TIME