Provide high-level paralegal support to a team of public interest attorneys: supervise legal assistant and deadlines; prepare, proofread, format, and file court documents; manage e-filing accounts; conduct factual, legal, and policy research; assist with discovery and court admissions; and perform administrative support as needed in a hybrid Chicago office.
About ELPC:The Environmental Law & Policy Center is the Midwest’s leading environmental legal advocacy organization. We drive transformational policy changes with national impacts.We show that environmental progress and economic development can be achieved together by putting sustainability principles into practice. We advance climate solutions effectively by accelerating clean renewable energy alternatives to conventional power plants and advancing clean transportation solutions. We protect the Great Lakes and defend the Midwest’s wild and natural places, and we fight for safe, clean water and healthy clean air for all. We combine effective public interest litigation with strategic policy advocacy, sound science, and economic analysis. ELPC produces strong results for the environment in the courtrooms, boardrooms, and legislative hearing rooms across the pivotal Midwest states and in Washington D.C.
Come join our winning team of talented, mission-driven professionals, who passionately work together to protect the environment and natural resources in the Midwest region. We offer a collaborative, upbeat culture, free snacks and a fantastic wellness benefit.
Position Title: Paralegal
Reports to: Senior/Senior Associate Attorney
Location: Chicago, IL - Hybrid work environment with required days in the office each week
Hours Per Week: 37.5
JOB SUMMARY:
The paralegal is part of a legal support team at our downtown Chicago headquarters, providing crucial support to about 23 of ELPC’s talented public interest attorneys.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Provide administrative, research, and technical assistance to the attorney team in a fast-paced, mission driven environment. Specific duties include:
- Directing and overseeing activities of ELPC’s Legal Assistant
- Supervising active case deadlines
- Preparing and editing documents to be filed, including:
- proofreading, cite checking, Bluebooking, formatting, producing tables of contents and authorities, assembling exhibit lists, etc.
- becoming familiar and ensuring compliance with local practice, scheduling and filing rules for various venues (state, federal, and administrative courts)
- Ensuring accurate, compliant and timely filing and service of paper and electronic filings in a variety of courts.
- Supporting attorneys in discovery, gaining admission to courts, registration renewals, and creating and managing e-filing accounts
- Factual, legal, and policy research
- Assisting support staff as needed, with general administrative work
Education & Experience (years):
- 7 or more years experience in the essential functions detailed above, preferably in a fast-paced litigation environment
- Associate degree required; Bachelor’s degree preferred
- Paralegal certification strongly preferred
- Notary or willing to become a notary
- Excellent computer skills with high proficiency in Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat
- Keen attention to detail coupled with strong organizational skills
- Ability to problem solve under pressure, handle multiple tasks and deadlines
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
In addition, the following qualifications are strongly preferred:
- Familiarity with online legal filing platforms, rules of service, and Bluebook citations
- A personal interest in environmental protection or other public interest work
Estimated Travel:
Negligible
Special Requirements:
Occasional evening and weekend hours may be required during peak times and events. The incumbent may occasionally need to come in a third and/or forth day in a given week when there is a special event.
Compensation:
$72,000 - $78,000 annually (based on a 37.5 hour workweek, not including overtime) + attractive benefits including vacation, sick and personal days, free gym membership and 4-12% 403b employer contribution/match.
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