Senior Investigator-Paralegal

Civil Rights Corps is an innovative non-profit civil rights organization based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 2016, CRC challenges wealth-based and race-based systems of oppression. CRC has won groundbreaking litigation challenging the rise of debtors’ prisons, abusive private probation schemes, and wealth-based pre-trial detention. CRC works closely with community and movement partners and is committed to fundamentally changing our country’s approach to the criminal system. Our staff is comprised of passionate and dedicated advocates who seek to fight inequality and protect the rights of the most underrepresented, impoverished, and marginalized members of our society. Employees at Civil Rights Corps possess a profound commitment to serving social justice and fighting inequality in all of its forms, and they approach their work with urgency. Learn more at civilrightscorps.org.

 

Job Description

Civil Rights Corps is seeking an experienced investigator/paralegal to join our team.  This position will support our impact litigation and advocacy challenging mass human caging with a goal of creating a legal system that promotes equality and freedom.

Job duties include:

  • Working collaboratively with case teams on fact development, including research, on-the-ground investigation, interviews of witnesses and clients, and related tasks in support of complex civil rights litigation in federal and state courts.
  • Providing case management and litigation support, including organizing large quantities of documents by creating summaries, charts, and data analysis; proofreading and cite-checking briefs; filing pleadings; managing litigation calendars and case files; submitting records requests and reviewing subsequent responses; assisting with discovery review and production; and a variety of other case support duties. 
  • Providing guidance, direction, and mentorship to entry-level investigator-paralegals in support of their duties.
  • Conducting analyses of facts, records, and information, and working with attorneys and other investigators to integrate information into case preparation.
  • Developing and maintaining relationships with clients, witnesses, community partners, organizers, coalition members, and legal allies.

Once CRC staff can safely return to in-person work, some travel will be required, consistent with case needs in other jurisdictions around the country.

 

Qualifications

The ideal experienced Investigator/Paralegal is passionate about social justice, hard-working, a fast learner, proactive, able to juggle multiple tasks, and able to work well in a collaborative environment. Specific qualifications we are looking for include:

  • Two or more years of experience as either an investigator or paralegal. 
  • Demonstrated commitment to the mission, purpose, and values of CRC, including an unwillingness to accept things as they are.
  • Demonstrated ability to work well in teams and strong organizational skills.
  • Race and identity competency, ability to understand and navigate issues of identity, power, and privilege with clients, partners, and colleagues.
  • Experience working with diverse populations, those directly impacted by the criminal legal system, and low-income clients.
  • Ability to take initiative, establish priorities, work independently, self-motivate, and proceed with objectives with minimal supervision.
  • Fluency in verbal and written Spanish is a plus.
  • Comfort with data management systems, particularly Everlaw and Relativity, is a plus. 

 

Salary, Benefits, and Logistics

This is a full-time position beginning in June 2022. Preference will be given to candidates based in or willing to relocate to Washington, D.C., but remote candidates will be considered. The candidate will receive excellent benefits, including full health care coverage, generous retirement benefits, unlimited paid time off, public transportation, and relocation benefits. United Civil Rights Workers, the CRC union, represents this position.

The position will be paid a competitive salary commensurate with experience.  The beginning salary for this position is $58,000.  The position is also eligible for overtime pay. 

 

Application Requirements

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and list of three references to Civil Rights Corps. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis; we guarantee consideration for applications received by 3/26/21. Materials should be addressed to jobs@civilrightscorps.org. Please include your name and “Senior Investigator/Paralegal” in the subject line.

 

Civil Rights Corps is an equal opportunity employer. We greatly value a diverse workforce and management team and an inclusive culture. Civil Rights Corps is committed to promoting an environment free of barriers and discriminatory practices for its clients and staff.