The Washington, D.C., office of Earthjustice is seeking a litigation assistant to join its staff by May 2011. This position provides administrative and paralegal support to the attorneys, and also assists in office management tasks.
Earthjustice is a non-profit public interest law firm dedicated to protecting the magnificent places, natural resources, and wildlife of this earth, and to defending the right of all people to a healthy environment. We enforce and strengthen environmental laws on behalf of hundreds of organizations, coalitions and community groups.
Essential duties and responsibilities of the litigation assistant position include: maintaining pleadings files, litigation files, and general correspondence files; proofreading and cite-checking legal documents; preparing and producing documents for filing in court and with government agencies; creating tables and exhibits to be used in comments, court documents and presentations; and coordinating mailings. The litigation assistant also performs factual and paralegal research and drafts memos about that research; monitors court and agency websites; responds to public inquiries; works with the IT Department and Office Manager to identify and resolve computer/printing problems; and assists in receptionist duties periodically.
Candidate must have a bachelor’s degree; excellent computer skills, including proficiency with Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Office Suite (proficiency with 2010 version strongly preferred); excellent command of spelling, punctuation, and grammar; strong written communication skills; attention to detail; ability to multitask and complete work quickly while maintaining accuracy; excellent proofreading skills; good Internet researching skills; paralegal knowledge and knowledge of federal court rules, or ability to acquire such knowledge promptly; and a commitment to protecting the environment. Earthjustice needs applicants who are flexible, punctual, highly reliable, and who are available for evening and weekend work as needed. There are several physical requirements such as ability to assemble, lift, and move, large documents, and to carry boxes of documents to courts and agencies for filing; and ability to work for extended periods on the computer as needed to meet filing deadlines.
Salary is based on a non-profit scale, is commensurate with experience, and includes a generous benefits package.
