NHLC is hiring a paralegal to support staff attorneys engaged in litigation across the state in courts and administrative proceedings.

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 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.

• 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 8 years of experience supporting civil litigation 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. 

Staff will work from the NHLC Honolulu office.

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

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.