Application Guide
How to Apply for Litigation Legal Assistant
at Center for Food Safety
🏢 About Center for Food Safety
The Center for Food Safety is a unique nonprofit that combines legal action, scientific research, and grassroots organizing to challenge industrial agriculture and promote sustainable food systems. Working here means contributing directly to environmental protection and food safety through groundbreaking litigation, making it ideal for mission-driven professionals who want their legal work to have tangible social impact.
About This Role
As a Litigation Legal Assistant at CFS, you'll support attorneys in environmental and food safety cases by preparing legal documents, managing court filings, and maintaining case files. This role is impactful because you'll help advance lawsuits that protect ecosystems, support sustainable farmers, and challenge harmful agricultural practices, directly contributing to the organization's mission.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day involves preparing legal documents for upcoming court filings, managing electronic submissions through PACER/ECF, coordinating with attorneys on case deadlines, and maintaining organized digital case files. You might proofread a motion challenging pesticide regulations, assemble exhibits for a food safety lawsuit, and schedule meetings with expert witnesses—all while ensuring compliance with court rules from your remote workspace.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Center for Food Safety Is Looking For
- Has formal paralegal training or certification, plus experience with PACER/ECF and court filing procedures
- Is proficient with Adobe Pro for document assembly and Microsoft Office for legal drafting
- Demonstrates flexibility to occasionally work evenings/weekends to meet court deadlines
- Shows genuine interest in environmental advocacy or food safety issues, even without direct experience
📝 Tips for Applying to Center for Food Safety
Highlight any experience with environmental law, food policy, or nonprofit legal work in your resume
Mention specific experience with PACER/ECF filing systems and Adobe Pro document assembly
Demonstrate understanding of CFS's current litigation campaigns by referencing specific cases in your cover letter
Emphasize your ability to work independently in a remote setting while meeting tight court deadlines
Show how your administrative skills support legal advocacy work, not just generic office tasks
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your experience with court filing procedures and legal document preparation', "Why you're passionate about CFS's mission regarding industrial agriculture and food safety", "How you've managed competing deadlines in previous legal roles", 'Your ability to work effectively in a remote legal environment']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → CFS's current active litigation cases, particularly those involving industrial agriculture
- → The organization's recent victories in food safety or environmental protection lawsuits
- → CFS's partnerships with farmers and grassroots organizations mentioned in their mission
- → How CFS combines legal, scientific, and advocacy approaches in their work
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing only on administrative tasks without connecting them to legal advocacy impact
- Not demonstrating specific knowledge of court filing systems like PACER/ECF
- Showing no awareness of CFS's mission or current litigation campaigns
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Center for Food Safety!