Paralegal

Paralegal

Lambda Legal is a national advocacy organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights for the LGBTQ+ community and everyone living with HIV through impact litigation, education, and public policy work. Since 1973, Lambda Legal has used impact litigation and other advocacy tools to decriminalize same-sex relationships; challenge discrimination against LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV in the workplace, in the home, in schools, in health care, and in the military; and protect LGBTQ+ families, including by winning and defending marriage equality. Our clients are not charged for legal representation or advocacy and Lambda Legal receives no government funding. Headquartered in New York City, Lambda Legal also has regional offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, and Washington, DC. We believe that serving the full breadth of the LGBTQ+ and HIV communities requires cultural competency and enthusiasm for diversity of all kinds. To be successful, we must approach our work with an understanding that discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status is not the only obstacle to achieving full formal and lived equality for LGBTQ+ people and everyone living with HIV; rather, we recognize the intersectional nature of discrimination, specifically including biases based on race, religion, national origin, gender, disability, education, and class. Considering this reality, we prioritize a proactive commitment to counteracting these biases and their compounding effects in the work we do, but also in how we work together as an organization.

The Paralegal assists attorneys with legal and other research; drafts, prepares and files documents in federal and state legislative bodies and offices, administrative, agencies, and courts; and works within coalitions and with clients to advance Lambda Legal's cutting-edge policy advocacy, impact litigation, and educational work.

This role supports the work of multiple attorneys on a wide array of issues within Lambda Legal's mission. What you'll do:

• Provide legal and administrative support to attorneys including, but not limited to, the production of motions, legal pleadings and briefs (including proofreading and cite-checking).
• Prepare legal advocacy materials, including administrative comments, substantive advocacy letters, and other legal filings.
• Perform legal and non-legal research, track legislation, monitor activity in the Federal Register, and search the Congressional Record.
• Help attorneys to ensure compliance with all current applicable court rules, maintain and create case files, legal department databases, and other organizational systems, and other professional rules of responsibility.
• Attend case meetings and assist with note-taking client interviews as appropriate.
• Assist with case discovery which may include document collection and review.
• Assist with expense reports and other legal admin tasks.
• Draft correspondence.
• Contact court personnel, other attorneys and advocates, and others as appropriate.
• Assist in maintaining client relationships.
• Work collaboratively with other paralegals.
• Provide general administrative support to members of the Legal Department.
• Prepare presentations and other educational materials.
• Support coalition-building and partnership activities, including coordinating meetings, preparing agendas and materials, taking notes, and tracking follow-up items.
• Communicate regularly with coalition members, community-based organizations, advocates, legal partners, and other stakeholders to support ongoing advocacy efforts.
• Participate in coalition and partner meetings and represent the organization professionally and respectfully in interactions with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Other duties as assigned.

Who you are:

With the understanding that no one person will offer every desired skill and characteristic outlined below, compelling candidates will offer much of the following:

• 1-2 years prior paralegal experience required.
• Willingness to develop specialized knowledge about the legal system and legal documents necessary to perform duties in a law office setting is essential; and prior legal support work, which may include support for federal legislative and policy advocacy, is highly desired.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Highly motivated, detail-oriented, well-organized, and dependable.
• Strong collaborative team player with ability to work well under pressure.
• Knowledge of issues facing transgender and nonbinary people and/or prior experience working with transgender and nonbinary people preferred, not required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 (specifically Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Adobe Acrobat.
• Electronic court filing systems (including Federal Judiciary's Case Management/Electronic Case Files (CM/ECF) system).
• Proficiency with Westlaw preferred (experience with LexisNexis is acceptable).
• Experience with iManage preferred (or other law-firm storage applications).

Successful candidates will welcome the opportunity to work in a racially- and gender-diverse environment and to contribute to a positive and inclusive atmosphere. Working at Lambda Legal requires a demonstrated awareness of and commitment to the concerns of the breadth of the communities that Lambda Legal serves. Prior work on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community and/or people living with HIV is highly desirable. Experience working with other historically marginalized communities (in a professional or volunteer capacity) is also desirable.

All employees at Lambda Legal are expected to adhere to ethical conduct in all interactions and tasks, ensuring a positive and respectful workplace environment.

Our Values & DEIB Philosophy

Successful candidates will embrace and champion our Organizational Values and DEIB Philosophy Statement, bringing a commitment to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and supportive workplace. They will thrive in a diverse environment, actively contributing to a culture that respects and uplifts the full spectrum of communities Lambda Legal serves.

Candidates can review our Organizational Values and DEIB Philosophy Statement on our Careers Page.

Why Work at Lambda Legal?

You get to do meaningful, life-changing work at a national level for LGBTQ+ people and everyone living with HIV. Lambda Legal also proudly offers competitive benefits for our team. We understand that our staff's dedication and effort are instrumental in achieving our mission. A highlight of the benefits we offer include:

• Medical benefits that begin on your start date
• Dental, Vision, and Life insurance (effective 30 days from your start date)
• Short & Long-Term Disability plans (effective 30 days from your start date)
• 403(b) Retirement Plan (employer contribution and matching program begins after 90 days of employment)
• Paid Time Off:
  • Paid Vacation (15 Days)
  • Sick Leave (12 Days)
  • Personal Leave (3 Days)
  • Religious Observance Leave (3 Days)
  • Bereavement and Bereavement Anniversary Leave
  • Floating Holiday (1 Day)
• 12 paid holidays and 5 early office closures
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA/DC FSA) and Commuter Benefits
• Health Reimbursement Account
• Annual professional development funds
• $50 monthly mobile phone reimbursement
• Summer Fridays from Memorial Day to Labor Day
• Premium subscription to the Calm App
• Paid sabbatical after 7 years of service at Lambda Legal (4 weeks for non-exempt positions and 8 weeks for exempt positions)

Lambda Legal believes in creating a more equitable playing field for applicants and values the depth of relevant skills built through successful education, work, and life experiences. If your background and skills are a close match for this position, you are strongly encouraged to apply.

Lambda Legal is committed to further building and maintaining a staff that reflects the full range of LGBTQ+, HIV-affected and allied communities, and is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. Lambda Legal encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship or immigration status, disability, veteran status, record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Black people, Indigenous people, people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transgender and gender-diverse people, women, people with abilities in multiple languages, immigrants, people living with disabilities, protected veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals and individuals living with HIV are all encouraged to apply.