Paralegal, Speech, Privacy & Technology Project

ABOUT THE JOB

The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time position of Paralegal in the Speech, Privacy & Technology Project of the ACLU’s National office in New York, NY. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month. 

The Speech, Privacy and Technology Project is dedicated to protecting and expanding the First Amendment freedoms of expression, association, and inquiry; expanding the right to privacy and increasing the control that individuals have over their personal information; and ensuring that civil liberties are enhanced rather than compromised by new advances in science and technology. The project is currently litigating cases and conducting other advocacy efforts on a variety of issues, including political protest, freedom of expression online, privacy of electronic information, journalists’ rights, scientific and academic freedom, openness in the courts, privacy rights at the border, and the impact of big data and algorithmic decision-making.

This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. It is represented by Local 2110 of the United Auto Workers Union. 

WHAT YOU'LL DO 

Reporting to the Deputy Project Director, the Paralegal will be responsible for providing litigation and administrative support to the legal project. This includes, but is not limited to, responding to legal assistance inquires, cite checking and formatting litigation documents, and maintaining files and other litigation items.

YOUR DAY TO DAY

• Provide litigation, administrative, and research support to the work of SPT attorneys and other SPT staff
• Handle general administrative duties including processing invoices, tracking expenses and case costs, preparing expense reports, ordering supplies, etc.
• Handle travel arrangements and calendar for Director and other staff
• Maintain database of all Project expenses, including travel and case costs
• Arrange for service of legal documents; prepare and serve discovery documents; research court rules and procedures
• Maintain case files, attorneys’ correspondence files, and internal litigation tracking systems including case summaries and calendar of litigation deadlines and court dates
• Provide administrative support for the managers’ review of applications for open positions
• Work jointly with interns and communicate routine and/or procedural guidance on projects assigned by managers

FUTURE ACLU'ERS WILL 

• Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU
• 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

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

• Experience with litigation or administrative support
• Must take initiative, be highly organized and detail-oriented, and possess strong interpersonal and time-management skill
• Excellent research and writing skills
• Ability to work independently as well as within a team while maintaining a high level of efficiency and professionalism

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or two years of related administrative experience
• Experience with free speech or digital privacy issues is preferred

COMPENSATION

The ACLU is committed to equity, transparency, and clarity in pay. Consistent with our compensation philosophy, there is a set salary for each role based on geographic work location. The annual salary for this position is $78,979, reflecting the salary of a position based in New York, NY. This position is subject to a hybrid schedule of 2 days/week or 8 days/month in-office.   For details on our pay structure, please visit: https://www.aclu.org/careers/ACLU_Geographic_Pay_Structure-July_2024.pdf

WHY THE ACLU

For over 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether it’s ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ+ community, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people.

We know that great people make a great organization. We value our people and