Description

Position Summary:

Are you an experienced litigation paralegal with strong attention-to-detail and a passion for supporting pro-democracy litigation? If so, Democracy Forward Foundation (“Democracy Forward”) is seeking a Paralegal Case Manager to join our team.

We are seeking a collaborative and strategic professional to serve as a leader on our legal support team. This position will be responsible for understanding litigation practice area protocols, anticipating attorney needs, executing established litigation support procedures with consistency, and overseeing experienced and junior members of the legal support team on matters.

This position is full-time. The candidate must be based in the Washington, DC area and be available in Democracy Forward Foundation's Washington, DC offices multiple days a week.

The Paralegal Case Manager will report to the Senior Paralegal and Practice Manager and will work closely with the entire legal team.

Key Responsibilities:

Litigation Support:

• Perform legal research, cite-checking, bluebooking, proofreading, and drafting case documents such notices, motions, briefs, and discovery requests and responses.
• Understand litigation practice area protocols, anticipate attorney needs, execute established litigation support procedures with consistency, and effectively exercise independent judgment.
• Oversee senior and developing paralegals and legal assistants.
• Manage trial or hearing preparation and logistics, including management of scheduling, coordination with court clerks, preparation of digital compilations and hard-copy binders, management of depositions and exhibits, and setting up courtroom space.
• Coordinate e-filing pleadings in federal, state courts, and government agencies.
• Format documents using styles functionalities and creating tables of authority.
• Attend legal proceedings and case team meetings with a supervising lawyer.

Leadership:

• Ability to provide 360-degree case management of a legal matter for the case team litigators under the direction of the legal support manager, including overseeing the timely execution, submission, and follow-up tasks of legal filings; maintaining the organization of case files and consistency of systems; and docketing and tracking case deadlines.
• Draft, compile, review, research, cite-check, and proofread legal documents and execute supporting tasks, or supervise experienced and developing paralegals in doing so, for the case team litigators under the direction of the legal support manager.
• Supervise and support experienced and developing paralegals and legal assistants on assigned tasks. 

Qualifications:

We recognize that strong candidates may not meet 100% of the qualifications listed. If you believe you can contribute meaningfully to our team, we encourage you to apply.

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in litigation support.
• Experience having primary responsibility for matters.
• Ability to work collaboratively and respectfully on a team of attorneys and staff professionals.
• Ability to handle multiple concurrent assignments and meet deadlines, must be able to work well both independently and in a team environment.
• Experience managing other litigation support professionals in executing the timely execution, submission, and follow-up tasks of legal filings, as well as in the organization of case files.
• Ability to become proficient in new areas, tasks, or systems.
• Class-action litigation experience is a bonus.
• Well-developed collaborative and interpersonal skills including demonstrated self-awareness, commitment to diversity and inclusivity, ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds, and ability to contribute affirmatively to a just and equitable workplace culture.
   

Work Environment & Physical Demands:

• This role may require occasional travel for team retreats, conferences, or organizational meetings.
• This role may involve sitting for extended periods and working on a computer. Reasonable accommodations will be provided as needed.
   

The salary range for this position is $110,000-$125,000 plus excellent benefits. Compensation is commensurate with experience.

Democracy Forward Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals. We strongly encourage people of color; LGBTQIA+ people; women; people with disabilities; and veterans to apply. Please note that all lawyer positions require a law degree and active membership in the bar of a state or the District of Columbia. 

Not sure you meet all of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend to only apply if they meet every requirement.  If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you are new to mission-based legal and policy work, returning to work after a gap in employment, or simply looking to transition or take the next step in your career path, we welcome the opportunity to have you on our radar.  Please include in your cover letter the nature of your interest in legal and policy work promoting democracy and progress and what you hope to bring to our team and the role for which you are applying.