Copy of Litigation Legal Assistant

About the role

CFS is seeking a part-time (16-24 hours/week) legal assistant to provide litigation and administrative support to a small, dynamic legal team of attorneys. The ideal candidate has the flexibility to function well under pressure and manage multiple tasks to meet deadlines. 

What you'll do

Tasks will include, but are not limited to, the following: 

LITIGATION SUPPORT (80%) 

• Prepare documents for filing, including: proofread, format, produce tables of contents and authorities, assemble exhibit lists, prepare statutory and regulatory addenda, redactions, sealing, etc.

• File and serve paper and electronic filings in agency and court venues; ensure timely filing, delivery, and service of court documents in adherence to relevant court rules . 

• Maintain familiarity with rules and procedures of relevant courts and agencies where CFS has active litigation or legal actions. 

• Communicate with courts as requested by attorneys.  

• Manage legal team case files and keep up to date, including downloading and filing all ECF docket filings in CFS litigation. 

• Maintain litigation docket, case and attorney files, archive files, and legal calendar. 

• Coordinate case management tasks such as reviewing compliance with orders; calendaring and tracking deadlines; creating templates; maintaining matter data, and monitoring board approval requests.

• Research and guide attorneys on federal and state court rules and procedures. 

• Retrieve legal documents from agencies, libraries, court dockets, and internet sources.  

• Support attorneys in gaining admission to courts, submitting pro hac vice applications, renewing court registrations, and creating and managing e-filing accounts. 

• Coordinate administrative filings with federal agencies and oversee document submission and docket uploads. 

• Support attorneys with document review and production for litigation and public records, discovery procedures, privilege logs, and handling confidential documents.  

• Communicate with courts, clerk’s offices, legal vendors, printers, law schools, etc., about miscellaneous matters. 

• Maintain digital and  servers, and serve as liaison for technology needs and issues. 

• Maintain Freedom of Information Act requests and responses from federal agencies. 

• Maintain billing account records and assist with fee recovery. 

ADMINISTRATIVE AND OPERATIONS SUPPORT (20%) 

• Conduct miscellaneous administrative tasks, such as scheduling and organizing legal team meetings and coordinating legal recruiting efforts.  

• Assist attorneys with job posting, scheduling, and hiring of legal team staff and law clerks. 

• Assist with onboarding and training of law clerks and new legal staff. 

• Other tasks as assigned and as needed. 

Qualifications

Required: 

• Flexibility to work occasionally on weekends and evenings to meet filing deadlines.  

• Bachelor's Degree, Associate's Degree, or Paralegal Certification.

• Proficiency in platforms and other technology used to support litigation work, such as Microsoft Office Applications, file management, Adobe Pro, and PACER/ECF. 

Preferred:  

• Experience with eDiscovery is a plus. 

• Interest in food and agriculture, public health, and/or environmental advocacy is a plus.  

• Paralegal training, two or more years of relevant experience, and/or a background in environmental advocacy are preferred but not required.   

• Recent college graduates interested in a career in public interest law and people with an administrative assistant background looking to transition to paralegal work are encouraged to apply. 

Compensation and Benefits

This is a hybrid position with a remote/in-person combination. Salary depends on experience and location. Salary will be commensurate with experience and vary based by location, but could range from $25-$45 per hour.

Location

The position is preferred to be based in either Portland, Oregon, or the San Francisco Bay Area in a hybrid home-office model, but with fully remote also considered.