Litigation Assistant

Location

Oregon State | United States

Job description

Job Opening Announcement: Litigation Assistant

Reports to: Program Directors

Location: Physical WELC office in Taos, NM; Santa Fe, NM; Eugene, OR; or Helena, MT

Timeline: Job opening posted February 26, 2024; we will review applications on a rolling basis beginning on March 18, 2024 until the position is filled.

ABOUT THE WESTERN ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTER

The Western Environmental Law Center is a leading nonprofit, public-interest environmental law firm rooted in the landscapes and communities of the Western U.S. We use the power of the law to foster thriving, resilient western U.S. lands, waters, wildlife, and communities in the face of a changing climate. Founded in 1993, WELC has been celebrated as an Outside Magazine Best Place to Work for the last five years, Oregon Business Magazine Best Nonprofit, Law360 Environmental Group of the Year, and Better Business Bureau Torch Award winner for ethics.

We envision a thriving western U.S., abundant with protected and interconnected ecosystems, powered by renewable energy, and cared for by communities brought together in an ecology of kinship. We achieve this vision with steady, strategic, and bold legal advocacy that turns the wheels of power at all levels of government.

We seek a Litigation Assistant to join our team at one of WELC's office locations across the West. We strongly encourage people of color, persons with disabilities, women, LGBTQ+ applicants, and people of diverse lived experience to apply.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Litigation Assistant is a non-exempt, full-time salaried position responsible for providing litigation and administrative support to WELC's senior attorneys in the Climate & Energy and Wildlands & Wildlife Programs. The position's primary responsibilities include the following:

• Assist attorneys in preparation and review of legal documents for filing:
  • Edit, cite-check, Bluebook, proofread, format, assemble, serve, and file legal documents in accordance with court, agency, and case-specific requirements.
  • Prepare tables of authorities & contents, certificates of service, summonses, civil cover sheets, as well as notices & routine motions (e.g., changes of address; pro hac vice admissions).
  • Draft correspondence, compile exhibits, appendices, excerpts of record.
  • Print and photocopy; prepare items for mailing; format documents for compliance with e-filing requirements as requested.
  • Fee settlement reports of attorney time and case costs.
• Manage and maintain internal litigation tracking systems:
  • Maintain list of all active cases (court location, case number, attorneys of record, client list, case status, appeals and related information, case termination dates & outcomes).
  • Track and compute case deadlines and maintain WELC litigation calendars.
  • Maintain court-specific information, including filing checklists, and maintain and compile court-related filings.
  • Assist with bar admissions and registration fees and maintain list of staff attorney's bar/court admissions and years in practice.
  • As needed, assist with CLE registrations, annual tracking, and reporting.
  • Collaborate with staff across the organization to improve litigation support for WELC.
• Provide additional case and project assistance to attorneys with cases as need and opportunity arises. This could involve document and evidentiary review, client coordination, and other litigation and advocacy related tasks.
• Manage legal research and document management accounts and systems (dockets, calendars, Rocket Matter, Westlaw, PACER, legal document storage/retention).
• Manage migration of WELC legal documents and case files from individual attorney OneDrive storage into a shared file storage system and ensure compliance with WELC's document retention policies.
• Coordinate signing, filing, tracking, and processing of new matter forms and retainer agreements. Conduct conflicts checks for existing and new legal advocacy matters.
• Schedule case-related meetings on request from attorneys and other program staff.
• Assist with coordinating logistics for trials, administrative hearings, or other proceedings.
• Partner with program and administrative staff to evolve WELC litigation support and institute best practices responsive to changing technology, norms, and rules.

The Litigation Assistant is a normal 40-hour week position based out of an existing WELC office, primarily working during Monday to Friday business hours, though some night and weekend hours may be required depending on case needs. Limited travel is required, including overnight and weekend travel. The position also involves standard office physical demands. WELC will provide all reasonable accommodations to the extent possible or required pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state law.

QUALIFICATIONS

We are keenly interested in considering a range of applicants with diverse lived experiences who approach the world with kindness, empathy, imagination, and vision. We will happily consider applicants who offer an equivalent or alternative set of qualifications to fulfill this position's responsibilities.

• At least 2 years of experience in a paralegal or related litigation support position.
• College degree and/or paralegal certification preferred.
• An unwavering commitment to accuracy and exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent research and analytical skills, including the ability to understand legal, factual, scientific, technical, economic, historical, and policy aspects of issues.
• Excellent verbal, written, professional, and technical communication skills.
• In-depth understanding of legal practice relevant to WELC's work, including the rules and procedures in venues where WELC practices.
• Expert user of software used to support litigation and program work, in particular the Microsoft 365 Suite (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Teams, etc.).
• Highly organized with the ability to independently manage a varied workload, prioritize multiple projects in a fast-paced work environment, and adhere to deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and proactively, take initiative, and solve problems, including a willingness to be flexible and adaptive when needed.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to foster effective communication, collaboration, decision-making, and mutual respect.
• Desire to work on and be part of a team. This includes giving and receiving feedback and input to/from colleagues and active, constructive engagement in organizational discussions to advance WELC's mission and contribute to organizational cohesion.
• An understanding of environmental and social justice issues.
• Demonstrated commitment to WELC's mission and strategies and the public interest as well as a love for the land, waters, wildlife, and communities of the Western U.S.

BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION

WELC is an equal opportunity employer. We offer a flexible, friendly, team-based environment with immediate opportunities to shape organizational strategies, competitive salaries (starting salary range of $56,000 - $67,000 commensurate with experience and location).

WELC offers an excellent benefits package, including health, vision, dental, life, and disability coverage (with 100% employer paid premiums), a 401(k) retirement plan with a 4% employer match, and 22 days combined of paid annual vacation and personal leave on top of 13 days of paid holiday leave, paid sick leave, and a paid long-term leave policy (3 months sabbatical leave for every 5 years of employment).

TO APPLY

We strongly encourage people of color, persons with disabilities, women, LGBTQ+ applicants, and people of diverse lived experience to apply. Please submit the following as PDF attachments through our ApplicantPro portal:

• 1-2 page cover letter addressed to Erik Schlenker-Goodrich, Executive Director;
• Resume;
• List of 2-4 professional references.

Cover letters should communicate the applicant's commitment to WELC's mission and advocacy and their motivation to work in this position and public interest environmental law generally. Applicants are very strongly encouraged to tell us who they are as a human being, why they care about this work, and why they are interested in this position.

For more information about WELC, please visit

Job tags

Salary

$56k - $67k