About the Los Angeles Innocence Project
The Los Angeles Innocence Project (LAIP) is a nonprofit legal organization dedicated to exonerating wrongfully convicted individuals and seeking justice for those who are wrongfully incarcerated, as well as advocating for systemic reforms to prevent future injustices. Our work includes direct representation, and policy advocacy. LAIP’s unique partnership with the California Forensic Science Institute at California State University Los Angeles allows us to collaborate with exceptional criminalists and graduate students.
Position Overview
The paralegal will play a critical role in supporting LAIP’s investigation and litigation of postconviction innocence claims, as well as general support for LAIP’s non-litigation activities. This includes, but is not limited to, providing administrative, legal, and research support including document management, client and witness communication, investigations, fact checking, and hearing preparation. The paralegal will work collaboratively with LAIP staff and must be committed to client-centered advocacy and social justice.
Key Responsibilities
• Provide LAIP staff with administrative and litigation support with exceptional attention to detail.
• Draft and format legal documents including but not limited to routine pleadings, motions, affidavits, subpoenas, discovery, and proposed orders.
• Create table of authorities and table of contents.
• Draft and format day-to-day correspondence, such as releases of information and client and witness communication.
• Meticulously maintain case files and ensure best practices, including clearly organizing digital and hard files.
• Prepare, organize, store, digitize, and retrieve case files, which may include evidence, exhibits, depositions, pleadings, exhibits, and other items.
• Properly file and serve court and legal documents in state and federal court and upon opposing counsel. Research rules and processes to ensure compliance with all legal and judicial requirements.
• Update and maintain deadlines and important dates in LAIP calendars.
• Assist attorneys with hearing preparation including organizing exhibits, trial binders, and appendices for depositions and court filings. Help attorneys during trials and hearings.
• Perform other administrative tasks such as scanning, copying, and printing.
Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree
• Paralegal certificate preferred
• Minimum 2–3 years of experience as a paralegal in a law firm or nonprofit organization that engages primarily in litigation in California state and/or federal court
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills, flexibility, and good humor.
• Understand legal language and principles, research methods, court pleadings and processes, and other related matters.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and to initiate and follow through on work independently.
Please submit the following as one combined PDF to [email protected] with “Paralegal” in the subject line:
• Cover letter
• Resume
• Contact information for three professional references
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