Open Staff Roles

The Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation is currently hiring for the following positions. Scroll down for more details on each position.

If you have any questions regarding the position or the application process, please e-mail us at: jobs@nhlchi.org

Brief Description of Need

Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation (“NHLC”) is a nonprofit public interest law firm whose mission is to protect and advance Native Hawaiian identity and culture with legal and other forms of advocacy. NHLC’s focus is on Native Hawaiian legal issues, including but not limited to traditional and customary practices, environmental protection, quiet title defense, kuleana access, Hawaiian Home Lands and other State leases, birth certificate amendments, and probate matters.  These cases require regular filings before Hawaii state courts and numerous administrative agencies, and occasional filings in Hawaii federal courts.  

The primary duties for this role are to support our 9-staff attorney team with the preparation of timely filings before courts and administrative agencies that conform to relevant filing requirements; preparation of other materials needed by attorneys during case preparation, client meetings, discovery, hearings, trials, and oral arguments;  processing of all correspondence received related to cases including updates to case files and routing to relevant attorneys, and docketing of all deadlines. Depending on experience, capability, and capacity, assistance with research, drafting, and client counseling may also be requested.  

Responsibilities 

• Independently prepare correspondence, legal pleadings and other documents from attorney notes and instructions. 

• Compose minutes, meeting agendas and reports from rough draft of notes.  

• Transcribe letters, pleadings, briefs, opinions and other legal memoranda. 

• Prepare and complete timely legal filings to courts and administrative agencies that conform to the relevant filing requirements of the relevant court or agency, including electronic and physical filing requirements. 

• Review correspondence as received from clients, parties, courts, and agencies, and appropriately handle by routing to appropriate attorney, docketing relevant deadlines, and saving the documents to appropriate case files per firm protocols.  

• Maintain legal files and records for attorneys. 

• Prepare documents and content needed by attorneys during discovery, hearings, trials, and oral arguments.  

• Prepare correspondence, memoranda and reports necessary for case preparation and client representation. 

• Keep abreast of administrative and judicial procedures required related to conflict resolution before administrative agencies and the court system. 

• Serve as a “back up” for front office staff when needed, which involves screening visitors to the office; answering calls to the main office line; arranging meetings and appointments; taking messages and answering inquiries; and on occasion make referrals to an appropriate agency or organization. 

• Assume other office responsibilities as assigned.  

• Conduct expedited research or document review as circumstances require. 

• Maintain confidentiality at all times. 

Required Qualifications 

• A passion for NHLC’s mission. 

• Entry level professionals will be considered. Experience preferred. Professionals with more than 7 years of experience will be considered for a Senior Paralegal role.  

• Paralegal certification, relevant completed college program, or commensurate work experience. 

• Excellent communication skills. 

• Excellent time management skills. 

• Technically proficient in use of the internet and Microsoft productivity tools, including Microsoft Office, Microsoft Teams, and SharePoint.  

• Must be able to learn and use the MyCase platform for case management.  

Preferred Qualifications 

• Hawaiian language skills preferred. 

Benefits 

• Medical and dental insurance. 

• Generous combined leave and holiday policy. 

• After 1 year of employment, 401(k) contribution plan with employer matching. 

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship. The Executive Director shall have authority to amend this job posting to meet the organization’s needs.

If you have any questions regarding the position or the application process, please e-mail us at: jobs@nhlchi.org

Brief Description of Need

Apply today to become an Equal Justice Works Fellow at Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation.

Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation will host an Equal Justice Works Fellow for up to 2 years in this fellowship program, to start as soon as possible and end January 23, 2026. The Fellow will work as a part of the Equal Justice Works Disaster Resilience Program, a national, professional Fellowship program for attorneys designed to mobilize legal aid in areas that have suffered disaster, including immigration and humanitarian crises, to ensure vital legal services are accessible, comprehensive, and responsive to the unique needs of individuals, families, and communities to rebuild more resilient communities.

Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation is committed to contributing legal services and advocacy needed for the pono recovery of West Maui following the tragic wildfires of August 2023, and is honored to collaborate with Equal Justice Works as a host organization in the Disaster Resilience Program. This partnership will allow a fellow in the program to work at NHLC as a staff attorney dedicated to legal work in scope of this program.

What We Do

Equal Justice Works is the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law. We facilitate Fellowships at legal services organizations to help fulfill our nation’s promise of equal justice for all.

As a Disaster Resilience Fellow, you will be part of a prestigious group of attorneys hosted by legal services organizations across the United States. During the Fellowship term, Fellows work collaboratively to:

• provide legal advice, referrals, and full representation to underserved Maui wildfire survivors;
• identify areas for policy change and reform;
• engage in outreach and education activities, such as Know-Your-Rights presentations;
• and work with community partners to increase disaster preparedness and resilience.

Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation is a non-profit legal service organization and the only law firm in the world dedicated to the practice of Native Hawaiian rights law. For 49 years, NHLC has steadfastly served the lāhui and people of Hawaiʻi to realize our vision for a just Hawaiʻi guided by Hawaiian values, customs, and ways of knowing. As a fellow at NHLC, you will join a firm with long history providing civil legal aid to Native Hawaiian families, Hawaiian Homes Commision Act beneficiaries, cultural practitioners, and stewards of Hawaiian lands, waters, cultural properties, and the natural environment. Our matters include work to protect constitutionally protected traditional and customary practice rights, hold government accountable to its trust duties, uphold Native Hawaiian entitlements, and ensure Native Hawaiian families have the legal counsel necessary to maintain homes and Hawaiian lifeways in Hawaii.

Fellowship Benefits

Equal Justice Works Fellows are part of a network of over 2,500 current and former Fellows dedicated to improving access to equal justice for all. As a member of the network, each Fellow has access to:

• Equal Justice Works’ annual Leadership Development Training, which is attended by ~300 current Fellows each year. The conference will be in-person in DC in the fall of 2024 and 2025.
• Responsive training and technical assistance from Equal Justice Work’s immigration TTA provider.
• Regular substantive and skills-based webinars throughout the Fellowship.
• Monthly networking and collaboration sessions with other Disaster Resilience Fellows.
• Additional networking opportunities with all Equal Justice Works Fellows throughout the year.

How to Apply

Please send a cover letter and resume to jobs@nhlchi.org

Required Qualifications

• A passion for NHLC’s mission.
• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school
• License to practice law Hawaii, at the time of hire or as soon as possible after hiring by taking the bar exam.
• Demonstrate commitment to social justice, with a desire to increase access to justice for disaster survivors and achieve results
• Outstanding verbal and written communication.
• Exceptional interpersonal and organizational skills.
• An ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary setting to facilitate a coordinated community response and provide holistic services to clients.
• The desire and ability to work as part of a diverse and inclusive team, and to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous legal services experience, including civil legal aid, law school clinics, and/or internships.
• Prior disaster related legal experience.
• Experience with delivering training and presentations.
• Knowledge of and/or interest in Native Hawaiian communities, culture, language, lands, and waters.
• Experience practicing Native Hawaiian and/or indigenous law and human rights.
• Experience serving Native Hawaiian and/or indigenous communities.

Work Environment

Work is performed primarily indoors. Employee will be in contact with chemicals and materials normally found in office environments. Employee will be exposed to low to moderate levels of noise and distraction. Employee may be required to walk to various agencies to conduct research and may be exposed to city pollution, sunlight, heat, humidity, and inclement weather. As needed, employee may conduct outdoor site visits to locations relevant to client matters. Access to some outdoor sites may require employee to follow established federal, state, and/or county government recommendations regarding donning proper personal protective equipment (PPE) due to potential air quality and hazardous materials in the area. Employees must comply with all recommendations and minimize visits to those areas.

Benefits

• Medical and dental insurance.
• Generous combined leave and holiday policy.
• Flexible hybrid-work policy.
• After 1 year of employment, 401(k) contribution plan with employer matching.

Notes

This job posting in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee filling this position. Employee will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by the Litigation Director or Executive Director.

Apply by sending application materials via email to jobs@nhlchi.org.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship. The Executive Director shall have authority to amend this job posting to meet the organization’s needs.

If you have any questions regarding the position or the application process, please e-mail us at: jobs@nhlchi.org

Brief Description of Need

Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation (“NHLC”) is a nonprofit, public interest law firm, and the only law firm in the world dedicated to Native Hawaiian rights. NHLC’s mission is to protect and advance Native Hawaiian identity and culture with legal and other forms of advocacy.

NHLC is hiring a Senior Litigation Counsel to join NHLC’s impact litigation team. NHLC’s Impact Litigation section advocates for government rules, policies, practices, and laws that advance Native Hawaiian rights. These cases have far reaching impact for the Native Hawaiian community, are typically complex, and frequently involve appellate practice. NHLC has argued numerous appellate cases in Hawai’i State Courts and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, resulting in historic decisions that have helped to shape and define the contours of Native Hawaiian law.

Representative cases include natural resource protection through the assertion of water rights and environmental protection actions, public access rights, the protection of historic and cultural properties including burial sites, government transparency and accountability, and suits brought to preserve and protect traditional and customary practices. NHLC’s impact litigators have extensive trial, evidentiary hearing, and motions-practice experience.

General Responsibilities

The Senior Litigation Counsel provides legal services, advice, guidance and assistance on a wide variety of legal issues to the Litigation Director and the organization.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

1. Develop and manage assigned cases, including:
   1. case assessment, including required client interviews, preliminary document review, and due diligence,
   2. formulation of litigation strategy,
   3. completion of all litigation activities, including oversight of others that may be working on the case
   4. lead the marshaling of relevant facts and evidence, including discovery, the identification and preparation of witnesses, and the taking and defense of depositions,
   5. research, draft, edit, and finalize all written advocacy,
   6. preparation for and lead at trials and at oral argument on appeal,
   7. effectively lead litigation settlement discussions on the client’s behalf, as appropriate, and
   8. in all other ways exercising primary responsibility for representation of clients in litigation.
2. Develop positive, effective, and efficient client relationships and engagements.
3. Frequent and regular communication with NHLC colleagues, including the Director of Litigation, Executive Director, and the Board as needed.
4. Counsel NHLC clients and NHLC leadership on substantive matters related to NHLC’s practice areas. Demonstrate thought leadership on relevant legal issues, including litigation trends and policy.
5. In coordination with the Litigation Director and other colleagues at NHLC, engage in communities important to NHLC, e.g., the Native Hawaiian community, the community of Native Hawaiian Organizations, the national community of indigenous rights lawyers, etc., through written articles, speaking engagements, and participation at community and industry events. Represent NHLC and demonstrate thought leadership on Native Hawaiian rights and legal issues within these communities.
6. Work efficiently to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment with a demanding case workload, while prioritizing workflow to adjust for fluctuations.
7. Effectively build relationships and collaborate with NHLC partners, including co-counsel at other non-profit legal service providers or pro bono counsel, to advance NHLC projects and represent NHLC clients.
8. Performs confidential legal tasks, duties, activities and special projects as assigned by the Litigation Director.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• 10+ years’ experience as a practicing attorney in litigation required.
• Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited American school of law
• Active license to practice law in the State of Hawaiʻi and a member in good standing with the Hawaiʻi State Bar Association.
  • If not licensed in Hawaii, applicant will need to successfully apply for limited admission immediately and secure full admission within the first two years of employment.
• Experience handling first chair responsibility in complex litigation, trial experience, and appellate experience.
• Must have working knowledge of:
  • State and federal laws, statutes, regulations, policies, practices and standards applicable to NHLC and its mission
  • Trial presentation techniques.
  • Native Hawaiian communities, culture, language, lands, and waters.
  • Native Hawaiian and/or indigenous law and human rights.
  • History of legal issues and legal decisions applicable to NHLC
  • Current and historical legal challenges to laws applicable to NHLC
  • Federal and state court legal proceedings, practices, and requirements
  • Relevant court, legislative, and federal/state agency interpersonal dynamics
  • Negotiation, mediation, and conflict resolution
  • Principles of risk management
  • Nuanced understanding of administrative law
• Must have demonstrated skills or ability to:
  • Work as part of a diverse and inclusive team, and to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace.
  • Serve Native Hawaiian and/or indigenous communities.
  • Read and interpret complex written material.
  • Conduct complex legal research.
  • Write/edit pleadings, legal briefs, arguments, opinions, and position papers
  • Negotiate favorable agreements.
  • Effectively participate in organizational planning, budget development, and operations.
  • Manage data and records.
  • Develop and maintain a professional relationship, collaboration and rapport with others.
  • Maintain an excellent work ethic.
  • Make formal oral presentations and communicate effectively with a wide variety of audiences.
  • Effectively use computer software (including Microsoft Office products) to draft legal documents, manage workloads and communicate with others

Work Environment

Work is performed primarily indoors with site visits outdoors to locations relevant to litigation matters as needed. Employee will be in contact with chemicals and materials normally found in office environments. Employee will be exposed to low to moderate levels of noise and distraction. Employee may be required to walk to various agencies to conduct research and may be exposed to city pollution, sunlight, heat, humidity, and inclement weather.

Benefits

• Medical and dental insurance.
• Generous combined leave and holiday policy.
• Family leave.
• Flexible hybrid-work policy.
• After 1 year of employment, 401(k) contribution plan with employer matching.

Notes

This job posting in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee filling this position. Employee will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by the litigation director or staff attorneys.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship. The Executive Director shall have authority to amend this job posting to meet the organization’s needs.

Apply by sending application materials via email to jobs@nhlchi.org.