Death Penalty Clinic Paralegal (7386U), Berkeley Law - 58579
University of California, Berkeley
Application
Details
Posted: 09-Sep-23
Location: Berkeley, California
Type: Full-time
Salary: Open
Internal Number: 4577630
Death Penalty Clinic Paralegal (7386U), Berkeley Law - 58579
About Berkeley
At the University of California, Berkeley, we are committed to creating a community that fosters equity of experience and opportunity, and ensures that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel safe, welcome and included. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.
The University of California, Berkeley, is one of the world's leading institutions of higher education, distinguished by its combination of internationally recognized academic and research excellence; the transformative opportunity it provides to a large and diverse student body; its public mission and commitment to equity and social justice; and its roots in the California experience, animated by such values as innovation, questioning the status quo, and respect for the environment and nature. Since its founding in 1868, Berkeley has fueled a perpetual renaissance, generating unparalleled intellectual, economic and social value in California, the United States and the world.
We are looking for equity-minded applicants who represent the full diversity of California and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at Berkeley, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice that requires broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students and community partners. In deciding whether to apply for a position at Berkeley, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, our Principles of Community, and our Strategic Plan.
At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. To find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley, visit grow.berkeley.edu.
Departmental Overview
UC Berkeley's School of Law is one of the nation's great centers for legal education, ever exploring and pushing new intellectual boundaries while tackling urgent, real-world issues. The law school is also known for its vibrant and engaged community of students and scholars who are committed to providing leadership and making a difference on problems of local, national and global import. Currently ranked among the top law schools in the country, the School of Law has ambitious development goals as it looks to continue producing leaders in law, government, and society.
The Death Penalty Clinic was founded in 2001 on the principle that the right to a fair trial and equal protection under the law are core societal values. Through individual representation, amicus support, and occasional policy work, the clinic puts this principle into practice. Our mission is to seek justice for individuals facing the death penalty by providing them with high-quality representation; to expose problems endemic to the administration of capital punishment; and to offer our students a rich opportunity for meaningful hands-on experience in high-stakes, complex litigation in a supportive and inclusive environment.
The Death Penalty Clinic Paralegal's primary responsibilities include assisting faculty, supervising attorneys, and students in working with case documents; collaborating with faculty and students in reviewing and analyzing documents that are relevant to the Clinic's litigation; assisting in the production of legal documents, including proof-reading, Bluebook cite-checking, formatting, and filing; and maintaining and improving the Clinic's digital system for managing case-related documents, including ensuring that materials the Clinic produces and receives are properly integrated into the system.
Application Review Date
The First Review Date for this job is: September 22, 2023
Responsibilities
Obtains, organizes, and analyzes legal documents, records, and other evidence.
Assists with the preparation, Bluebook cite-checking, and filing of pleadings in state and federal court in multiple jurisdictions, as well as with the preparation and finalization of other litigation documents and reports.
In collaboration with faculty and investigators, oversees the projects of clinic law students relating to the development of factual issues, including record collection, record analysis, social media investigation, and witness identification/location.
Assists with and coordinates the hiring of undergraduate student assistants and interns; develops and supervises intern projects; guides and leads legal clinic students in proper clinic procedures regarding the creation and collection of documents.
Assists faculty and other staff with administrative tasks as needed.
Uses legal reference and research software, such as Lexis-Nexis Accurint and other internet-based resources, to conduct factual research and investigation in support of the Clinic's litigation.
Maintains meaningful contact with clients via phone.
Assists with getting resources to clients.
Collaborates with, guides, and/or trains students on performing internet-based research and investigation, fact development, record collection, and other retrieval of information as needed.
Participates in clinical program committees/governance efforts as needed/desired, as well as efforts to foster diversity, equity, inclusivity, and belonging in the clinical program and in the Death Penalty Clinic.
Engages in professional development and training opportunities as needed.
Performs additional duties within the scope of this classification as assigned.
Required Qualifications
Knowledge of legal industry standards and best practices in organization of voluminous records for complex litigation, case management, data gathering and analysis, and preparation and filing of legal pleadings.
Working knowledge of common legal office programs, such as the Microsoft Office Suite and Google Applications, as well as document-sharing technology, legal research tools, case-management software, and people-search databases.
Ability to format citations according to the Bluebook uniform system of citation.
Prior experience working in a paralegal capacity in a complex litigation setting.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
Ability to perform duties efficiently and with careful attention to detail.
Ability to multi-task with demanding timeframes in high-pressure, high-stakes situations.
Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality.
Commitment to helping to foster a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within the clinical program and Death Penalty Clinic communities.
Sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic, and other backgrounds present in our community.
Demonstrated commitment to and understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), and ability to apply and integrate core concepts of DEIB into everyday practice.
Must be committed to creating a community that fosters equity of experience and opportunity, and ensures that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel safe, welcome and included.
Must demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community.
Occasional local travel may be required.
Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working in a paralegal capacity in a criminal or capital defense setting.
Skill with Trial Director or comparable presentation software for court proceedings.
Paralegal certification.
Salary & Benefits
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.
Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.
The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $37.32 - $41.05.
This is a 100% full-time (40 hours per week), career position that is eligible for full UC benefits.
This position is non-exempt and paid bi-weekly.
This is a hybrid position, eligible for 20% remote capability.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.
Conviction History Background
This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For more information about your rights as an applicant, please see the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission poster.
The University of California was chartered in 1868 and its flagship campus - envisioned as a "City of Learning" - was established at Berkeley, on San Francisco Bay. Today the world's premier public university and a wellspring of innovation, UC Berkeley occupies a 1,232 acre campus with a sylvan 178-acre central core. From this home its academic community makes key contributions to the economic and social well-being of the Bay Area, California, and the nation.