Job Description **MEMBERS ONLY**SIGN UP NOW*** is seeking a Litigation Assistant / Legal Practice Assistant for our new Gulf Regional Office in Houston, Texas. This is an exciting opportunity for a creative administrator to use their skills, the power of law, and the strength of partnership to help deliver meaningful results for the Gulf region. The successful candidate will provide litigation and administrative support to our team of attorneys working across all three of our core program areas – healthy communities, climate and energy, and lands, oceans and wildlife.
Key Responsibilities:
Litigation Support:
- Provide litigation support to multiple attorneys in document preparation, service, and filing of court documents, including electronic filings and service to opposing counsel. - Assist attorneys with hearing preparation including preparing and reviewing discovery documents, creating exhibits, and conducting research. - Ensure all court filing rules are being met, the accuracy of service list and timely filing and service of court documents. - Organization and maintenance of case files including scanned pleadings, research files, exhibits, general correspondence, and contracts. - Create, organize, and maintain document templates. - Compute, calendar, and help to ensure compliance with court deadlines; maintain litigation docket. - Participate in conference calls and meetings and communicate with courts, opposing and allied counsel, clients, experts, and government officials, as needed and approved by attorneys. - Search for and retrieve legal documents from agencies, libraries, and internet sources. - Edit, cite-check, proofread, format, assemble, serve, and file legal documents in accordance with relevant court, agency, and case-specific requirements. - Provide support required to comply with organizational requirements for initiation of new matters and maintenance of internal litigation database. - Provide drafts of procedural form pleadings (e.g., notice of appearance, pro hac vice applications, etc.). - Assist with attorney admissions, registrations, renewals and maintaining e-filing accounts. - Assist attorneys in preparing for and appearing in court and administrative proceedings, including evidentiary hearings, trials, and oral arguments; and - Provide general administrative assistance (taking meeting minutes, updating litigation database, communications with agencies and courts, monitoring court rules, and other office tasks).
Administrative Support:
- Assist with onboarding for incoming staff, clerks, and volunteers. - Attend community meetings to assist in advocacy or litigation support. - Investigate community complaints as needed. - Answer phones, handle incoming and outgoing mail/FedEx, greet visitors, ensure adequate office and mailing supplies. - Respond to and screen cold calls/emails requesting information or representation. - Help trouble-shoot hardware and software issues. Assist with operation and maintenance of office equipment (copier, printers, videoconferencing equipment). - Schedule and coordinate meetings, conference room and video-conferencing equipment, planning and arranging of office events, and travel arrangements. - Foster office morale and inclusive work environment. - Assist with managing shared work space for all **MEMBERS ONLY**SIGN UP NOW*** events, including those related to development, board meetings, or client related events etc. Other tasks as assigned and as needed.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent years of experience. - 0-2 years’ experience. - Litigation/Paralegal experience or training is a plus. - Fluency in Spanish is a plus. - Willingness to complete paralegal certification a plus. - GIS training; science background; social justice, environmental, or public health policy or advocacy experience preferred. - Excellent editorial, proofreading, and computer skills (word processing, Microsoft Office suite, Adobe Acrobat, databases and spreadsheets, etc.). - Ability to set priorities among multiple assignments, to meet deadlines, and to function effectively and calmly under pressure. - Strong research and organizational skills a must; attention to detail required for court filings and litigation support. - A can-do attitude, with an ability and willingness to dive into unfamiliar areas, such as when filing court papers in a new venue. - Flexibility, punctuality, reliability, and integrity; a team player, who willingly performs necessary tasks. - Availability for occasional travel and work outside normal working hours. - Demonstrated awareness of and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations. - Contributes to the creation of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences. - Interest in and commitment to environmental protection. Knowledge of environmental issues a plus.
Salary and Benefits:
We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits that are comprehensive and competitive. We also offer an extremely congenial work environment and a casual dress code. As a 501(c)(3) organization, **MEMBERS ONLY**SIGN UP NOW*** is a qualifying employer for purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.
Salary Range in Houston: $61,200 to $68,000
How to Apply:
Interested applicants should submit via Jobvite by February 2, 2025:
- Resume - Cover letter
For this position, we are seeking a candidate available to start by April 2025. Preference will be given to candidates who apply by February 2, 2025. After that, applications may be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Applications may be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Please reach out to **MEMBERS ONLY**SIGN UP NOW*** if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application. No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
**MEMBERS ONLY**SIGN UP NOW*** is driven by a passion for justice, partnership and excellence. Our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and to maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to employment practices that ensure that employees and applicants for employment are given equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or
