Paralegal, ACLU of Vermont

Employment Status: Regular, Full Time

FLSA Status: Salary, Exempt

Location: Montpelier, Vermont

Compensation: $70k to $74k for candidates with 3-5 years of experience as a paralegal; $75 to $80k for candidates with 6+ years of experience as a paralegal

Start Date: Target February 2027

Position Summary

The American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont (ACLU-VT) seeks experienced applicants for a full-time Paralegal position. Reporting to the Legal Director and closely supporting each of ACLU-VT's staff attorneys, the Paralegal will help advance civil liberties and civil rights in Vermont by managing a range of litigation support projects, in both state and federal court, at all stages of litigation – from initial pleadings to appeals. The work of the Paralegal will also involve coordinating and implementing e-discovery solutions, organizing paper and electronic case files, managing public records requests, and maintaining the legal team’s various operational systems and protocols.

The ideal candidate will have excellent communication, writing and editing, and organizational skills as well as some legal case management experience.

Position Location

The ACLU of Vermont currently follows a hybrid office policy with program-specific in-office expectations. This policy is internally revisited annually. The Paralegal will be expected to work from ACLU-VT’s Montpelier office at least two or three days per week, with additional days as necessary, with the exact hybrid schedule to be set in conversation with their supervisor.

About Our Team

We are a passionate, highly motivated group of lawyers, public policy experts, communications professionals, organizers, and fundraisers, and we are looking for exceptional talent to join our team. We are committed to fostering a strong internal culture of belonging, with an emphasis on inclusive and equitable practices and organizational diversity. The Paralegal will have a strong awareness of, and willingness to engage in, the difficult and transformative work of challenging systems of oppression, institutional and structural racism and ableism, and implicit bias in a variety of settings. To learn more about us, visit our website.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for case management, including preparing, formatting, filing, and serving legal documents; assisting with finalizing pleadings and exhibits, including proofreading, cite checking, and creating tables of authorities and contents; assisting in preparing discovery requests and responses and in document review; engaging in client/prospective client screening, communication, and management, in class and non-class cases; and gathering and preparing materials for depositions, client meetings, oral arguments, and court hearings.
• Coordinate all logistics for meetings, hearings, service of process, courtesy copy delivery, and other litigation support, including co-counsel and partner organization collaboration.
• Conduct Westlaw and PACER searches and document retrievals, along with other internet research.
• Maintain and organize electronic case files and legal docket.
• Support and manage the administrative logistics of working with cooperating attorneys and out-of-state attorneys, including preparing court admission paperwork.
• Engage in factual investigative work and research to support the development of cases or advocacy, including drafting and managing public records requests.
• Review, document, and manage submissions to our “Share Your Story” submission system.
• Monitor implementation of settlement agreements.
• Contribute to a collaborative culture that centers racial justice, inclusion, participation, psychological safety, and collaboration.
• Collaborate with colleagues by providing input on and coordinating the implementation of legal program policies, procedures, and systems – such as the case management process; paper and electronic filing systems; and legal docket tracking.
• Participate in the development of the legal department’s vision, plans, and priorities.
• Provide administrative and organizational support as needed, including scheduling meetings and preparing agendas and notes.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate is a well-organized and reliable person with a sharp eye for detail and excellent communication, writing and editing, and organizational skills who also has legal case management experience. They are a collaborative team player who enjoys working independently, jointly, and at times under pressure. They are willing to learn new things and possess many or all of the following qualifications:

• At least three years