Paralegal, Women's Rights Project & Abortion Criminal Defense Initiative

ABOUT THE JOB The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time position of Paralegal to support two litigation groups: the Abortion Criminal Defense Initiative (ACDI) and the Women’s Rights Project (WRP) at the ACLU’s National office in New York, NY. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month. The ACDI is a first-of-its-kind program of the ACLU to confront the criminalization of abortion care in the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade, including the criminalization of health care providers, patients, abortion funds and others who assist people obtaining abortion care. In addition to direct advocacy, the ACDI is developing and supporting a network of experienced criminal defense attorneys to defend those facing criminal prosecutions or investigation related to abortion care in states across the country. Since its founding by Ruth Bader Ginsburg in 1972, the ACLU’s Women’s Rights Project has been a trailblazer in fighting for gender equity under law. We engage in systemic legal reform to ensure that everyone has the freedom to live, work, and learn free from stereotypes, harassment, and violence based on sex. Doing gender justice work as part of the broad civil liberties and civil rights agenda of the ACLU reflects the reality that women are part of other social change movements and that we must work together if we are to achieve a just society for all. We will review applications on a rolling basis, but priority consideration will be given to those who submit applications by June 15, 2026 . WHAT YOU'LL DO Reporting to the ACDI Director and the Deputy Director of the Women’s Rights Project , the Paralegal will be responsible for providing litigation support, preparing briefs for filing, and conducting administrative and research projects as needed to support the work of the ACDI and WRP. YOUR DAY TO DAY As a paralegal, you’ll be an integral of the ACDI and WRP teams, with the opportunity to meaningfully support defensive and affirmative advocacy to fight for women’s rights and reproductive freedom from criminalization. Produce and file briefs, motions, and other pleadings in state courts around the country, including by providing cite-checking, copy-editing, tables-building and other support Assist in tracking of key litigation and legal developments to identify trends and advocacy opportunities for each initiative Support attorneys in each project in management of relationships with stakeholders, partners and cooperating attorneys, and clients Assist in design, planning and execution of ACDI network attorney trainings and other educational resources Work with ACLU attorneys and communications department partners on development of communications assets Manage administrative tasks including attorney calendar management, expensing and invoicing, binder compilation, time tracking, and coordination of travel, as needed Conduct legal and factual research using Westlaw, academic databases, and the Internet Maintain case files and internal litigation tracking systems including case summaries and calendar of litigation deadlines and court dates. Provide administrative support for the managers’ review of applications for intern, fellow, and other staff positions, such as scheduling meetings, preparing materials, and taking minutes as well as arranging travel, preparing expense reports, tracking expenses and case costs, and processing invoices Assist in the development and maintenance of ACDI’s and WRP’s website and other public information outlets Work jointly with interns and other staff and communicate routine and/or procedural guidance on projects assigned by managers Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned FUTURE ACLU'ERS WILL Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and valu