Litigation Paralegal, Alaska Regional Office

Earthjustice is now accepting applications for a full-time Litigation Paralegal to join the Alaska regional office, based in Juneau or Anchorage, Alaska. The successful applicant will provide both substantive and administrative support to our team of attorneys, who litigate in federal and state courts and conduct administrative advocacy to defend the rights of all people to a healthy environment and to speed our transition away from fossil fuels to clean and renewable energy.

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 and supporters to engage the critical environmental issues of our time, and bring about positive change. 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, Juneau, Los Angeles, Miami, Tallahassee, Honolulu, Houston, New York, Philadelphia, Denver, Seattle, Bozeman, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.

Earthjustice’s Alaska Office, in coordination with our clients and allies, defends Alaska’s lands and waters from fossil fuel development; opposes efforts to log and build roads in Alaska’s old-growth forests; opposes destructive mining across Alaska and in Alaska-British Columbia transboundary watersheds; and works to protect sustainable fisheries for all Alaskans.

In this work, the office represents a diverse mix of organizations and allies, including conservation groups, community organizations, and many Alaska Native Tribes who have, for millennia, relied on Alaska’s lands and waters for their way of life. For more information about the Alaska regional office, please visit https://earthjustice.org/office/alaska/.

The Paralegal may work from either our Juneau or Anchorage office. Currently, the Alaska Regional team is expected to work in the office two days a week.

Responsibilities

Litigation Paralegals on the Alaska Regional team provide administrative and litigation support services for more than a dozen active attorneys practicing in federal courts and administrative venues. Workload constitutes about 75% paralegal duties and approximately 25% administrative duties. Tasks may include but are not limited to the following:

• Providing general administrative support as needed for the office, including back-up support for Legal Practice Manager. This position requires regular collaboration with the Legal Practice Manager to complete administrative duties as assigned.
• Answering phones, handling incoming and outgoing mail/FedEx, greeting visitors, ensuring adequate office and mailing supplies. Responding to and screening cold calls/emails requesting information or representation.
• Assisting as needed with scheduling and coordination of meetings, conference room and video-conferencing equipment, planning and arranging of office events, and making travel arrangements.
• Preparing and editing documents for filing, including: proofreading, cite-checking, Bluebooking, formatting, producing tables of contents and authorities, assembling exhibits, etc.
• Ensuring timely and correct filing and service of documents.
• Ensuring that filed documents comply with all relevant rules.
• Creating, organizing, and maintaining digital and physical case files.
• Computing and calendaring court deadlines.
• Assisting in the collection, processing, and review of incoming discovery productions, such as administrative records, including use of an eDiscovery software platform.
• Communicating with courts, clients, experts, opposing counsel, or other external parties.
• Tracking relevant dockets and issues related to the work of the Alaska office practices 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.
• General case-related administrative assistance (photocopying, correspondence, scheduling meetings, taking meeting minutes, tracking case updates).
• Providing assistance in case development such as coordination of standing work, including working with clients to identify and screen potential declarants; conducting interviews; drafting and editing declarations; communicating with clients regarding standing.
• Performing legal research and analysis; writing associated research notes or memoranda.
• As appropriate, drafting sections of pleadings and other case-related documents.
• Drafting FOIA, public records, or other requests for information; Drafting FOIA appeals, etc.
• Supporting all aspects of administrative record and FOIA reviews, including as appropriate document review, preparing review notes or analysis, with attorney approval communicating with agency staff regarding the production, etc.
• Conducting complex factual research and analysis.
• Performing legal research and analysis.
• Supporting all aspects of discovery including conducting document review, with attorney approval communicating with opposing parties regarding productions, preparing deposition summaries and/or requests for and responses to discovery, etc.

Qualifications

• College degree preferred.
• At least 4 years of experience in a related position.
• Paralegal certification or equal mastery of skills from previous position required.
• Interest in and knowledge of environmental, social justice, or public interest issues relevant to Earthjustice’s mission.
• Demonstrated awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.
• Commitment to the creation of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.
• A highly reliable team player who will take ownership of tasks that range from the mundane to the intellectually challenging.
• A can-do attitude, meticulous attention to detail, and an unrelenting commitment to high performance standards.
• Excellent research, writing, and computer skills.
• The ability to stay organized, set priorities among multiple assignments, meet deadlines, and function calmly under pressure.
• The ability to work effectively with different teams, including with remote staff, and to maintain confidential information.
• The ability to work for extended periods on the computer as needed to meet filing deadlines, including occasional evening and weekend work.

Compensation is based on experience and location.

Salary range for Anchorage or Juneau, AK: $82,700 - $91,900.

We offer a mission- and employee-focused work environment and a competitive compensation package, including excellent benefits.  Earthjustice is an equal opportunity employer and highly values diversity. As a 501(c)(3) organization, Earthjustice is a qualifying employer for purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

To Apply

Interested applicants should submit the following. Priority will be given to applicants who apply by March 10, 2025. After that, applications may be reviewed on a rolling basis.

• Resume
• One- or two-page cover letter

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Preferred start date is mid- or early April, 2025.

Please reach out to jobs@earthjustice.org if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application. No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies accepted.

Earthjustice 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 any other factor that is not related to the position.

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