Paralegal

About the role

The paralegal will play a critical role in supporting the Los Angeles Innocence Project’s investigation and litigation of postconviction innocence claims, as well as general support for non-litigation activities. This includes providing administrative, legal, and research support, document management, client and witness communication, investigations, fact-checking, and hearing preparation. The paralegal will work collaboratively with LAIP staff and must be committed to client-centered advocacy and social justice.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative and litigation support with exceptional attention to detail.
• Draft and format legal documents, including routine pleadings, motions, affidavits, subpoenas, discovery, and proposed orders.
• Create tables of authorities and tables of contents.
• Draft and format day-to-day correspondence, such as releases of information and client/witness communication.
• Meticulously maintain case files, ensuring best practices for organizing digital and hard files.
• Prepare, organize, store, digitize, and retrieve case files, including evidence, exhibits, depositions, pleadings, and other items.
• Properly file and serve court and legal documents in state and federal court and upon opposing counsel.
• Research rules and processes to ensure compliance with all legal and judicial requirements.
• Update and maintain deadlines and important dates in LAIP calendars.
• Assist attorneys with hearing preparation, including organizing exhibits, trial binders, and appendices for depositions and court filings.
• Help attorneys during trials and hearings.
• Perform other administrative tasks such as scanning, copying, and printing.

About the Los Angeles Innocence Project

The Los Angeles Innocence Project (LAIP) is a nonprofit legal organization dedicated to exonerating wrongfully convicted individuals and seeking justice for those who are wrongfully incarcerated, as well as advocating for systemic reforms to prevent future injustices. LAIP’s work includes direct representation and policy advocacy. Its unique partnership with the California Forensic Science Institute at California State University Los Angeles allows collaboration with exceptional criminalists and graduate students.