Paralegal, Voting Rights and Elections Program

The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that seeks to improve our systems of democracy and justice. The Center’s work ranges from voting rights to campaign finance reform, ending mass incarceration to preserving constitutional protections in the fight against terrorism. Part think tank, part advocacy group, part cutting edge communications hub, we start with rigorous research. We craft innovative policies. And we fight for them — in Congress and the states, the courts, and in the court of public opinion. 

Our Voting Rights and Elections Program advocates for free, fair, and accessible elections, with special focus on the ways systemic barriers impede electoral participation by communities of color. The past ten years have seen a brazen and widespread assault on the right to vote. Elected officials at the highest levels have deployed disinformation and misinformation to scapegoat communities trying to assert their rightful place in the electorate. And the Capitol attack made plain that some are even prepared to reject the use of elections as the arena to contest political differences. We meet these challenges, and others, head on. We do so with partners ranging from community-based organizations to election administrators to pro bono counsel. 

Position: The Voting Rights and Elections Program seeks a full-time Paralegal to join a cutting-edge, interdisciplinary team working collaboratively to ensure that all U.S. citizens have free and equal access to the ballot box. The Paralegal will provide support for the litigation and other advocacy of the attorneys in the program. The Paralegal will report to a designated program manager, but may be assigned to work with a variety of team members as needed. This position will be in-person and based at our headquarters in New York City. This role carries a two-year minimum time commitment.

Note: This is a hybrid position. Staff are currently working from home 2 days a week. 

Responsibilities: 

• Managing and organizing litigation calendars, case dockets, and case files.

• Providing support for the editing, production, and filing of pleadings, briefs, exhibits, legislative testimony, and other documents, including proofreading and cite-checking.

• Conducting research and communicating with court clerks regarding local rules and internal operating procedures.

• Providing administrative and technical support for court hearings, trials, and oral arguments.

•  Managing litigation-related scheduling, invoices, and travel arrangements.

• Coordinating, managing, and tracking correspondence with potential amici, co-counsel and other partners.

• Researching and tracking outside litigation.

• Writing copy for and updating case pages on Brennan Center website.

• Drafting and editing blog posts for the Brennan Center website, with opportunities for named authorship.

• Taking on special projects and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: 

• A bachelor’s degree 

• At least 1-2 years of paralegal or similar work experience 

• Exceptional research, analytical, and writing skills

• Strong organizational, communication, interpersonal, time-management, and detail-orientation skills 

• Must possess sound judgment 

• Demonstrated ability to effectively function in a team-based, deadline-driven, public policy-oriented environment and to think creatively about solving problems and finding data, reports, or academic literature on a given topic swiftly

• Openness to receiving and implementing feedback, and to accepting direction from organizational management

• Comfort with taking initiative

• A passion for improving our democracy 

The Brennan Center is committed to advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the workplace. We continuously work with our staff to find new ways to increase diversity and to build and cultivate an inclusive and equitable work environment, where everyone can be their true self and feel a strong sense of belonging. As such, we seek to hire employees who have a commitment to and/or experience with diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, we expect employees to participate/contribute with DEI initiatives or activities with recruitment, retention, and workplace culture. 

Position Start Date: The earliest this position will start is June 1st.

Salary: The salary is commensurate with experience, and a generous benefits package is available as well.

Applications: The application deadline is May 6, 2022, but applicants will be interviewed on a rolling basis and decisions will be made as soon as appropriate candidates are identified. To apply, visit https://brennancenter.applytojob.com/apply/odDrteiEPJ/Paralegal-Voting-Rights-And-Elections-Program. Please upload the following application materials as one document: cover letter, resume, two writing samples (up to 10 pages each), and contact information for three references. If applicable, include Internet hyperlinks to authored writing samples.  

Please, no phone calls or faxes and identify where you saw this ad - it is strongly preferred that you apply on our website. If you have difficulty with the online system, you may send your application by e-mail to: brennancenterjobs@nyu.edu with “Paralegal, Voting Rights and Elections Program” in the subject line, after registering in the online system.

Note: The Brennan Center is committed to public health and to the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues and visitors.  As such, we have adopted a policy requiring all employees working in the New York and Washington, DC offices to be vaccinated against COVID-19, including having a booster, or to meet the legal guidelines for an exemption.

The Brennan Center for Justice is committed to a workplace based on equal opportunity and a strong belief in the increased effectiveness that comes from a diverse workforce. To this end, Brennan Center

• Welcomes and hires applicants of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, socioeconomic identities and sexual orientations, including people who have been previously incarcerated;
• Creates a workplace where true diversity is fostered and different perspectives are valued and freely exchanged;
• Ensures that all members of the Brennan Center community feel welcome and respected, and have equal opportunities to thrive and advance within the institution; and 

• Is committed to supporting low-income communities and communities of color particularly affected by social inequities.