Outreach Paralegal - Criminal Justice Reform

Summary:

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is a civil rights organization dedicated to fighting hate, teaching tolerance, and seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of society. With offices throughout the Southeastern United States, the SPLC employs litigation, legislative advocacy, and public education to advance criminal justice reform; protect the rights of children, immigrants and LGBT individuals; and combat policies and practices that punish people for being poor.

The Southern Poverty Law Center’s Criminal Justice Reform team works to: (1) reform the juvenile, criminal justice, and/or immigration detention systems so they operate fairly and equitably; (2) ensure the dignity and humanity of those interacting with these systems; and (3) reduce the population of individuals detained and incarcerated in Mississippi.

The Advocacy Outreach Paralegal’s (AOP) focus will be on detained and incarcerated immigrants. The AOP will perform extensive outreach to current and prospective clients, often in correctional and/or detention facilities, and will interact with community organizations, perform field investigations and engage in advocacy. The AOP will also assist the Center’s attorneys with case management and support, conduct research, and organize information related to litigation, case development, and legislation. The position will involve substantial overnight travel within the state and potential travel throughout the Southeast.

Primary Job Functions:
•Work with a team of attorneys and advocates on multi-strategy campaigns;
•Manage and maintain routine client communication (written, by phone and in person);
•Travel to jails, prisons, and/or detention facilities around the state of Mississippi and interview individuals for purposes of potential or actual representation in litigation;
•Develop, manage, and support cases including document management and review;
•Mobilize and support community partners and stakeholders to advocate for policy changes affecting their communities;
•Research, investigate, and document facts of case to include conducting detailed intake interviews;
•Track down and obtain documents;
•Conduct legal, social science, and factual research;
•Prepare and organize research, notes, and legal documents;
•Perform discovery information management and trial preparation; and,
•Willingness to travel and work long hours, including weekends, as needed.

Knowledge, skills and abilities:
•Initiative and ability to work collaboratively and efficiently in a fast-paced work environment;
•Strong organizational skills, follow-through and flexibility around changing priorities and deadlines;
•Ability to work effectively as part of a team to develop new campaigns and legal initiatives;
•Ability to work on several campaigns at once in conjunction with Center attorneys;
•Strong communication skills;
•Commitment and passion for social justice;
•Understanding and sensitivity to issues client populations face;
•Commitment to a non-hierarchical, client-centered approach to advocacy and ability to work on delicate issues in a compassionate and sensitive manner;
•Experience working with diverse groups of partners; and,
•Willingness to learn and use internal computer systems and databases.

Other Special Considerations:

This job is performed under general office conditions and is not subject to any strenuous physical demands or dangerous conditions.

This position will require a valid driver’s license.

Disclaimer:

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. These statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position.

An Equal-Opportunity Employer with a Commitment to Diversity

Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and as an organization committed to diversity and the perspective of all voices, we consider applicants equally of race, gender, gender identity, color, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability, political affiliation, national origin, or prior record of arrest or conviction.