Paralegal, Post-Conviction Justice Project

Founded in 1896, the Gould School of Law has a distinguished past built on the principles of equity and excellence, and the courage to break new ground. USC first introduced legal education in Southern California. Today, the Law School continues to make history through its philosophy of innovation and through its people. USC Gould cultivates analytical ability, ethical values, and a spirit of collegiality that prepare students for meaningful careers benefitting society. It was one of the first law schools to engage students in clinical programs and remains a leader in experiential education.

About the Post-Conviction Justice Project

The Post-Conviction Justice Project (PCJP) at the University of Southern California Gould School of Law is a clinical education program where professors and law students advocate for second chances for clients serving life-term sentences in California prisons through legal representation at parole hearings, on state and federal petitions for habeas corpus, post-conviction resentencing proceedings at the trial and appellate court levels, and on applications for executive clemency. The mission of PCJP is to develop law students’ potential to be skilled and ethical advocates through the experience of providing deserving clients with zealous legal representation. Learn more at www.uscjustice.org.

Team Overview

The PCJP team includes two faculty Co-Directors, two Supervising Attorneys with Adjunct Assistant Professor of Law titles, a Chief Operations and Case Manager, a paralegal, 20 to 30 California State Bar certified law students, and undergraduate student clerical workers. The certified law students provide legal representation to clients, full-time during the summer and part-time for academic credit during the fall and spring semesters.

Position

PCJP is seeking a Paralegal to undertake a variety of administrative and clerical tasks. The primary objective of this position is to sustain efficiency of clinic processes and procedures, and to support attorneys and students in legal representation.

Reporting to the co-directors and Chief Operations and Case Manager of PCJP, the Paralegal will be responsible for:

• Preparing, editing, and formatting legal documents, pleadings and correspondence.

• Performing filings of court documents (experience with TrueFiling strongly preferred).

• Legal research using Westlaw and/or LexisNexis.

• Serving as liaison with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) institutions and clinic students to obtain clearances, schedule legal visits, and obtain records.

• Overseeing and completing clerical tasks including: reviewing and submitting student reimbursements, maintaining and ordering supplies, receiving and scanning mail.

• Assisting with academic tasks including: distributing and organizing class materials, scheduling and coordinating travel for class speakers and guests.

• Maintaining various databases.

• Assisting with grant funding applications and reporting.

• Other duties as assigned

This is a benefits-eligible, non-exempt (hourly), full-time position for a 1-year fixed term, renewable contingent on grant funding. The position is expected to begin August 18, 2025.

Preferred Qualifications

The ideal candidate has a personal commitment to education and social justice. The ideal candidate will also demonstrate:

• 2-5 years of experience as a paralegal, academic assistant, or other comparable position.

• Excellent organizational and planning skills.

• Strong collaborative and interpersonal skills.

• Attention to detail and strong skills in proofreading and editing.

• Ability to organize workflow, coordinate activities, balance simultaneous projects without loss of efficiency in a multi-tasked environment, and manage multiple priorities to meet deadlines.

• Experience with, demonstrated commitment to, and cultural competency for working within a diverse client and student community.

• Sense of humor, positive attitude, self-awareness.

• Ability and willingness to work on campus to work directly with clinic staff and students.

• Proficiency in MS Office, Excel and in Westlaw and/or LexisNexis; data management experience preferred.

• Experience with website design preferred.

• Experience with event planning preferred.

• Advanced degree preferred.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to