Work With Us

The Law Office of Deborah M. Golden is hiring for a full-time legal assistant / paralegal for our civil rights and FOIA practice. Our firm is dedicated to advocating for the rights of individuals and challenging government misconduct. We need someone who is hyper-organized, friendly, and enjoys using tech for good. For more information about our work, please visit debgoldenlaw.com

This is a mostly remote position, but we need you to live within the DC metro area for necessary parts of the job.

What you will do:

• Provide administrative support to lawyers and enhance office effectiveness, including file and email management.
• Handle communication with clients, witnesses etc.
• Conduct intake interviews with clients relating to potentially traumatizing matters, including sexual assault, physical assault, denial of basic medical care, and other horrible things.
• Meet with clients in local jails to review documents and obtain information.
• Process incoming mail, by scanning, filing, and summarizing the letters we get.
• Conduct factual investigation and record gathering, including tracking FOIAs requests and requests for medical records and following up as needed.
• Maintain and organize legal files and case documents in the electronic system.
• Answer and direct phone calls.
• Maintain contact lists.
• Monitor deadlines and juggle calendars.
• Provide other clerical support as needed.

Your qualifications:

• You understand that mass incarceration is rooted in our country’s racist history and that affects how our legal system works.
• You believe in a free press and love tenacious reporters.
• You like to fight for the underdog.
• You have excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• You are able to effectively communicate with a variety of people in a variety of settings and emotional states.
• You have excellent written communication skills.
• You like to take initiative and love to find efficient ways to finish tasks.
• You have strong computer skills, including Word, Excel, and Google applications.
• You are responsible and flexible.
• You have a desire to make a difference.
• You are vaccinated against COVID-19 and maintain other required and suggested vaccinations because you protect your own health and the health of our clients.
• You know how to strike the right balance between “can figure it out myself” and “asks for help when needed for the sake of efficiency.”
• You have a sense of humor.
• You aren’t a jerk.

Things that are pluses, but not required:

• You speak Spanish.
• You have experience with the criminal legal and carceral systems.
• You know Zapier and MyCase.
• You have travelled a non-traditional path, are a first generation professional, or have lived experience in the criminal legal system. Consistent with DC’s Ban-the-Box law and the firm’s ethos, this is not a request for any information about arrests or convictions.

Compensation:

• $20-28 per hour, 35 hours per week base-level.
• $350/month health insurance and medical expense allowance.
• Tech allowance.
• 10 days sick leave, annually.
• “Take what you need” vacation time (after 60 day trial period) .

which highlights why you are an ideal candidate, a resume, and a short writing sample
(less than 3 pages, excerpts ok) as one PDF to [email protected].
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.