Legal Assistant

About the Organization

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is the largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy group in the US, dedicated to advancing justice, fostering understanding, and empowering American Muslims. Their mission includes promoting civil rights, enhancing awareness of Islam, and protecting communities from discrimination.

Position Overview

This full-time Legal Assistant role within the CAIR Legal Defense Fund involves close collaboration with staff attorneys to support civil rights cases, including issues like employment discrimination, law enforcement harassment, school bullying, border delays, and public accommodations. The position reports to the Legal Operations Manager and follows an hourly, non-exempt schedule. Work hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, and the role is fully remote, restricted to candidates authorized to work and residing in specified US states.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct client intake and maintain detailed, organized case logs.
• Prepare and electronically file briefs with federal courts.
• Provide ongoing administrative support for litigation, including document review, hearing and motion preparation, scheduling, and formatting case materials.
• Regularly communicate with clients, investigating claims and updating on case developments.
• Manage case records with accuracy and thoroughness.
• Schedule appointments and coordinate calendars to meet deadlines.
• Operate the Civil Rights hotline, handling inbound and outbound calls.
• Draft office memos and obtain detailed case fact summaries.
• Host workshops and partake in community outreach as necessary.
• Supervise interns and clerks, ensuring a productive experience.
• Conduct occasional legal research and provide substantive input to attorneys.
• Manage mailing of documents to clients, courts, and administrative bodies, as well as process incoming mail.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor's degree.
• Proven strong organizational and time management skills with attention to detail.
• Effective communication abilities to interact with clients and team members.
• Familiarity with legal filing procedures and terminology at local, state, and federal levels is advantageous.
• Background in legal research and writing is a plus.
• Ability to communicate in languages other than English is desirable.
• Prior experience in a nonprofit environment and dedication to civil rights causes is essential.

Additional Information

The position offers an hourly wage starting at $28.84. Only candidates legally authorized to work in the US and residing in listed states (AL, DC, FL, GA, IL, MD, MI, MO, NY, NC, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, WI) may apply. Applications require a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and three professional references combined into one document. Recruiter or phone inquiries are not accepted.