Paralegal

Columbia University - New York, NY

Full-time - Entry Level

New York, NY

Educational Services

About the position

The Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University is seeking a dedicated paralegal to support its litigation work focused on defending the freedoms of speech and the press in the digital age. This full-time position is based in New York City and requires a minimum two-year commitment. The Institute, established in 2016, has made significant contributions to the discourse surrounding free expression through strategic litigation, research, and public education. The paralegal will play a crucial role in assisting the Institute's staff with various litigation and administrative tasks, ensuring that the Institute's mission to promote an open and inclusive system of free expression is upheld. As a paralegal, you will be responsible for providing comprehensive support to the Institute's litigation program. This includes maintaining case files, managing correspondence, and tracking litigation deadlines. You will also be tasked with cite-checking legal documents according to the Bluebook citation style, proofreading and filing legal documents, and conducting factual research to support ongoing litigation and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. Your role will involve regular communication with attorneys to ensure project deadlines are met and that all necessary documentation is prepared and submitted in a timely manner. The Knight Institute is looking for a recent college graduate or an early career professional who is passionate about free speech issues and possesses strong organizational and interpersonal skills. The ideal candidate will be able to work independently while also collaborating effectively within a team environment. This position offers a unique opportunity to engage with cutting-edge legal issues and contribute to meaningful work that impacts public discourse and accountability in the digital age.

Responsibilities

• Provide litigation, research, and administrative support to the Institute’s litigation program and staff.
• Perform general clerical and administrative duties, including copying, scanning, filing, and mailing.
• Maintain case files, correspondence files, and internal litigation tracking systems, including the Institute’s internal docket, FOIA-request tracking sheets, case summaries, and calendar of litigation deadlines and court dates.
• Cite-check legal and related filings per the Bluebook legal citation style guide.
• Proofread, produce, file, and arrange for service of legal documents.
• Research court rules and procedures.
• Conduct factual research in support of litigation and FOIA requests.
• Log and review documents produced in response to FOIA requests.
• Produce reports of attorneys’ hours using the Institute’s time-tracking software.
• Track expenses and case costs, prepare expense reports, and maintain database of all litigation expenses, including travel and case costs.
• Check in regularly with attorneys on project deadlines and prompt as needed.
• Perform related duties & responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• Outstanding organizational, interpersonal, and time-management skills.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently, as well as collaboratively within a team, while maintaining collegiality, efficiency, and professionalism.
• Excellent research and writing skills.

Nice-to-haves

• An interest in issues relating to the freedoms of speech and the press.
• A strong academic record.
• Superior research, analytical, writing, and interpersonal skills.