Paralegal

Job Description

Job Description

Paralegal
Position Open Until Filled
First Review of Applicants Scheduled for September 7, 2026

The ACLU of Washington (ACLU-WA) advances liberty and justice in the courts, in the legislatures, in the streets, and at the ballot box. Our work is rooted in the belief of a future where everyone in Washington, particularly those who have been historically and systematically denied full enjoyment of their promised civil rights and liberties, are free to do so without barriers. Defending and advancing these fundamental rights and core values requires exceptional staff. Learn more about the ACLU-WA.

The Paralegal provides litigation and administrative support for ACLU-WA’s legal advocacy efforts and engages in inter-departmental collaborations in alignment with the organization’s integrated advocacy strategy.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Draft legal documents, including routine pleadings and motions, affidavits, and interrogatories.
• File motions and pleadings according to judicial procedures in state and federal trial and appellate courts including creating tables, proofing, cite-checking, and other aspects of finalizing and filing of briefs and motions.
• Prepare and serve complaints, filings, and discovery.
• Assist in the discovery process including document review, maintenance, and production and support for deposition preparation.
• Request case documents from the courts. Prepare, organize, store, and retrieve case files, which may include evidence, exhibits, depositions, pleadings, exhibits, and other items.
• Research court rules and other regulations as necessary.
• Analyze statutes, regulations, legal articles, judicial decisions, and other legal sources.
• Investigate facts of active or potential cases through online research and submitting Public Records Acts requests.
• Interview clients and witnesses and prepare summaries of their statements as necessary.
• Assist attorneys with trial preparation, which may include serving as trial paralegal and/or attending trials and hearings.
• Keep case statuses and relevant details up to date via internal docket and case and document management software.
• Maintain internal calendar of litigation deadlines and court dates.
• Maintain Legal Department staff filing platform login credentials.
• Assist with coordination of staff hiring and personnel onboarding, including candidate application reviews, candidate and staff interview scheduling, and coordination of alignment and debrief meetings. Conduct staff and intern reference checks.
• Assist with Legal Committee communications, preparation, and facilitation.
• Conduct department staff trainings on internal and court procedures, processes and platforms.
• Review and make recommendations for Legal Department in response to notable requests identified by the Information and Referral Program.
• Draft annual and quarterly Board reports.
• Maintain amicus and litigation case Dockets for ACLU-WA website. 
• Coordinate with Communications Department to maintain current legal case work on ACLU-WA website.
• Actively participate in maintenance of strong relationships with co-counsel and clients.
• Participate in ACLU-WA hiring, strategic planning, and other organizational program initiatives in collaboration with supervisor.
• Maintain administrative relations with ACLU affiliates and other offices within National ACLU.
• Engage with community-led advocacy as needed.
• Perform other job-related special projects and other duties as assigned within scope of the role.

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of four (4) years of experience working in a legal setting performing paralegal and/or legal research duties.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and/or professional paralegal certification with 3 plus years’ relevant experience.
• Demonstrated commitment to civil liberties, social justice, and equity.
• Accountable and responsible team member who builds trust and fosters an atmosphere of discussion and collaboration between colleagues, while respecting and valuing multiple truths and norms.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with experience working across lines of difference and both independently and collaboratively.
• Experience working with and being guided by communities impacted by systems of oppression, using an empathetic, trauma-informed approach that values individuals and respects differences and lived experiences.
• Experience developing and maintaining positive working relationships with visitors, volunteers, staff, and external partners via phone, email, and in-person interactions.
• Excellent problem-solving skills; ability to juggle multiple on-going projects and exercise good judgment under stressful situations.
• Strong project management and time management skills with the ability to complete projects on schedule.
• Capacity to work in a dynamic environment with changing and time sensitive needs.
• Advanced writing, research and oral communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail with demonstrated success maintaining confidential and sensitive information.
• Experience producing strong and detailed work product while also working under time constraints.
• Experience setting goals, taking initiative, following through on commitments, and working collaboratively as part of a team.
• Demonstrated experience producing high-quality, detailed work while operating under time constraints.
• Experience managing projects through completion and consistently meeting deadlines.
• Experience conducting research and producing clear, well-reasoned written analysis.
• Comprehension of legal language and principles, research methods, court pleadings and processes, and other related matters.
• Proficiency with legal research and citation skills utilizing Bluebook, Internet and other information platforms and resources.
• Proficient in case management platforms, document management platforms, local, state and federal court filing and case record platforms.
• Proficiency of MS Office Suite.

FUTURE WA ACLU'ers WILL

• Be committed to advancing the mission, vision, and values of the ACLU-WA.
• 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.

LOCATION: Seattle, Washington

CLASSIFICATION: This job description provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. The ACLU-WA reserves the right to change the content of this posting at any time without advance notice. This position is “exempt” under the Fair Labor Standards Act and approved at (1) fulltime equivalent (FTE).

MENTAL DEMAND: Decision-making, high emotional intelligence, giving and receiving feedback and building trusting relationships. The nature of this work can be emotionally demanding and requires thoughtful and clear communication and resilience.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & CONDITIONS: The ACLU-WA observes a hybrid workstyle, with some staff working primarily remotely while others work in the office several days a week. The position requires maintaining some physical file records and word processing and is expected to observe an in-person hybrid workstyle.

Our office is generally open between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and is located in downtown Seattle. The physical demands and work environment described below represent those required and encountered by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work beyond the traditional workweek schedule, including some evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Access to a computer for long periods of time.
• Local and regional travel for work events and meetings.

TOTAL COMPENSATION: The ACLU-WA seeks to provide equitable and competitive compensation for attracting and retaining staff with the skill, judgment, and perseverance to confront challenges to civil rights and civil liberties. As such, the ACLU-WA has adopted a salary scale for measuring how to best compensate its employees.

The salary for this position is $88,000.00 – $108,000.00. A range indicates the intention to accommodate those with varying years of relevant experience, as determined by the salary scale.

BENEFITS: Generous benefits include three weeks of vacation, twenty-three sick days given in 2026, twelve paid holidays and two weeks of paid office closure. Employer-paid professional development, fully paid employee medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance, a retirement plan with employer contributions, student loan reimbursement, family care and adoption assistance, life insurance, and an ORCA card, the regional transportation pass.

ACLU-WA provides laptops, home office supplies, certain equipment, and technology support. You will need an effective Wi-Fi connection and a way to communicate by phone. This position is eligible for a $150 stipend each month to help cover any additional costs while working from home.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: To apply, please submit a cover letter, résumé and three references on our online job portal.

In your cover letter, please explain the ways in which you satisfy the skills and qualifications specified above. We also invite you to include in your cover letter information about how your background and/or experience could contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and advocacy work.

REFERENCES: Please submit with your application three professional references who can provide feedback about and have direct knowledge of your work experience. Note that there may be outreach to other references that fall outside of your designated list. We will extend a conditional offer of employment before conducting reference checks.

HIRING TIMELINE: This position is open until filled with the first review of candidates scheduled for September 7, 2026. We will schedule interviews with qualified candidates after the first review of candidates.

OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION AND BELONGING
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB) are core values of the ACLU-WA and are foundational to our work to advance liberty, equality and justice for all. When we secure liberty, freedom and justice for those most marginalized, we ensure everyone experiences dignity and equity, enjoying freedoms unimpeded by racial, economic injustice and other forms of oppression. This work requires our collective commitment.
With this in mind, we value a diverse workforce and an inclusive work culture. The ACLU-WA is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, socio-economic circumstance, record of arrest or conviction and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We do not conduct criminal background checks on our candidates.

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
ACLU-WA is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com to receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the application process. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding accommodations during the interview process.

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