Senior Litigation Assistant

Earthjustice is soliciting applications for a full-time Senior Litigation Assistant to join the Northern Rockies regional office. The successful applicant for this position can work remotely in the Northern Rockies region where Earthjustice is currently registered as a business (Montana, Idaho).  

 

Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization.  We take on the biggest, most precedent-setting cases across the country. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health; to preserve magnificent places and wildlife; to advance clean energy; and to combat climate change. We partner with thousands of groups, supporters, individuals, and communities to engage the critical environmental issues of our time and bring about positive change. We are guided by a passionate, ambitious vision for the future for people and our planet: until justice stands for all, we will never rest. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer. 

 

Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental protections. We achieve this by hiring people who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment. Our headquarters are in San Francisco with offices in Anchorage, Bozeman, Chicago, Denver, Honolulu, Houston, Juneau, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Seattle, Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. 

 

The Northern Rockies Regional Office is engaged in litigation focused on protecting and preserving the iconic wildlife species and wild lands of this incomparable region; challenging fossil fuel extraction and burning that contributes to climate change and pollution of our air and water; and advocating for environmental interests held by Native American communities and organizations. We have played a leading and long-standing role as the last line of defense for the ecosystems encompassing Yellowstone and Glacier national parks; ensuring fair opportunities for development of renewable energy sources; opposing oil and gas exploration on public national forest lands of extreme cultural and spiritual importance to the Blackfeet people; and more. 

 

We regularly litigate federal and state court cases and administrative proceedings in an effort to defeat the major threats to the region’s ecological integrity. For more information about our office’s work, visit http://earthjustice.org/about/offices/northern-rockies.

 

The Senior Litigation Assistant provides litigation and administrative support to a staff of seven attorneys, a paralegal, and a legal practice manager. They report to the Legal Practice Manager.

 

• Preparing and editing documents for filing, including: proofreading, factual and legal cite-checking, Bluebooking, formatting, producing tables of contents and authorities, assembling exhibit lists, etc.
• Filing and service of paper and electronic filings 
• Ensuring all court rules are met
• Creating, organizing, and maintaining case files and contacts
• Computing and calendaring court deadlines 
• Assisting in the collection, processing, and review of incoming and outgoing discovery productions
• Assisting attorneys with deposition and hearing preparation, including: organizing document binders, printing exhibits, creating exhibit lists, communicating with court reporters, etc.
• Supporting attorneys in gaining admission to courts, registration renewals, and creating and managing e-filing accounts 
• Reviewing, organizing, and interpreting factual and technical information; generating research notes, memoranda, summaries, tables, maps, and other visuals as needed
• Drafting basic pleadings and other case-related documents under attorney supervision, including: case initiating documents, motions, declarations, proposed orders, cover letters, pro hac vice applications, etc.
• Communicating with courts, experts, co-counsel, opposing counsel, and government officials as requested or approved by attorneys
• Leading and managing the litigation support needs for cases 
• Tracking relevant dockets and issues related to the work of the Northern Rockies office via the Federal Register, agency web sites, various distribution lists, media outlets, etc.
• Participating in conference calls and meetings when relevant to the position and/or assigned projects 

• Faxing; photocopying; distributing mail; answering, screening and directing calls
• Assisting in organizing occasional social events
• Spearheading methods to reorganize office procedures for efficient and effective operation
• Operating and performing minor trouble-shooting of all office equipment (copier, postage meter, etc.) and providing basic technical assistance to staff (word processing, email software, etc.)
• Engaging in general operations management and administrative support (e.g., receiving packages, scanning mail, managing office supplies, taking notes, greeting visitors)
• Providing backup to Legal Practice Manager
• Assisting with recruitment of Northern Rockies staff

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• At least two years of legal assistant or advocacy experience
• Interest in and knowledge of environmental or social justice issues a plus
• A can-do attitude, meticulous attention to detail, and an unrelenting commitment to high performance standards
• Excellent research, analytical, writing, and computer skills (word processing, databases and spreadsheets, internet, etc.)
• The ability to organize, set priorities among multiple assignments, meet deadlines, and function calmly under pressure
• The ability to work effectively with remote staff and to maintain confidential information
• The ability to coordinate workflow and assignments with a team, including Legal Practice Manager, Paralegal, and attorneys 
• Flexible, punctual, highly reliable, and available for occasional evening and weekend work
• Ability to work for extended periods on the computer as needed to meet filing deadlines
• A team player who will enthusiastically take on tasks that range from intellectually challenging to more mundane administrative work
• Demonstrates an awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations
• Commits and contributes to the creation of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences
• Curiosity, with no fear of asking questions; and eagerness to learn, with no fear of making mistakes