Paralegal

National Student Legal Defense Network  

Paralegal

Organization Description  

The National Student Legal Defense Network, also known as Student Defense, is a non-profit legal-advocacy organization working to advance students’ rights to educational opportunity and ensure that higher education serves as a launching point for economic mobility. Through litigation and advocacy, Student Defense protects students and student loan borrowers from predatory, deceptive, and other abusive practices in higher education. 

Student Defense focuses on holding institutions and government actors accountable when they fail to protect students or uphold the law. Our work spans the student lifecycle, including recruitment, educational quality, student supports, debt relief, and repayment. We use impact litigation, regulatory advocacy, policy development, and strategic communications to secure relief for students and strengthen consumer protections. We also work across the country to improve access to public benefits for students and, through our SHAPE AI initiative, to promote only ethical and responsible uses of AI technology by institutions of higher education. 

The paralegal will join a mission-driven legal team committed to rigorous advocacy, client-centered representation, and accountability in higher education. This role will support attorneys and policy staff in developing cases, managing litigation and administrative records, conducting factual and legal research, supporting our communications team, and helping ensure that Student Defense’s work remains grounded in the experiences of students and borrowers directly affected by unlawful and unfair practices.

A minimum of 1-2 years of work experience is required, preferably in a legal department or a law firm. This position is remote, with occasional in-person meetings and events. Residency in the Washington D.C. area is strongly preferred. 

Job Duties and Responsibilities  

The Paralegal will be responsible for: 

· Supporting case development efforts by conducting plaintiff outreach and vetting, factual case research, and producing written explanatory materials as needed;

· Providing litigation support to a team of attorneys, including formatting and preparing legal documents for filing; cite checking and proofreading legal motions and memoranda; reviewing materials produced in discovery; communicating with clients and co-counsel; and assisting with case management;

· Serving as the primary administrative point person on matters to support the entire legal team;

· Coordinating the organization’s public records requests, including drafting requests, tracking status and deadlines of requests and agency responses, reviewing, organizing, and maintaining electronic files of all related materials; 

· Updating the website and social media platforms;

· Managing email and outreach lists;

· Drafting and editing communications materials; and

· Managing the intake process by identifying individuals for potential representation; responding to intake questions and concerns appropriately, accurately, and timely; and screening individuals before they meet with attorneys; 

Qualifications  

The ideal candidate will have: 

· Strong administrative, research, writing, and communication skills and a high-level of attention to detail in a fast-paced work environment;

· At least 1-2 years of experience working as a paralegal;

· Sound judgement and discretion in handling and communicating confidential and sensitive client information;

· Exemplary organizational and interpersonal skills and the ability to work independently with little supervision in a small, start-up environment; and 

· A commitment to Student Defense’s mission, purpose, and values. 

To Apply  

Please e-mail a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to View email address on click.appcast.io as soon as possible. Student Defense will review applications and make decisions on a rolling basis. 

Student Defense is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability or veteran status, or other non-work-related factors.