Paralegal, Women's Rights Project & Abortion Criminal Defense Initiative
Aclu · New York, New York, United States · Posted Jun 23, 2026
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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 values multiple perspectives
Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts
WHAT YOU'LL BRING
Must take initiative, be highly organized and detail-oriented, and possess strong interpersonal and time management skills
Excellent research, writing, and communication skills
Ability to work independently as well as within a team while maintaining a high level of efficiency and professionalism
Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and see projects through to completion
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree or one to two years of paralegal experience
Basic knowledge of the Blue Book
Basic knowledge of Westlaw Next
Strong computer skills with advanced knowledge in Microsoft Office Suite e.g. Outlook, Word, Excel, SharePoint, OneDrive, etc.
Experience creating tables of contents, tables of authorities, mail merges, and creating/inserting macros
COMPENSATION
The ACLU is committed to equity, trans…