Paralegal

Position Title:

Paralegal

Job Description:

Works for the City Attorney or City Prosecutor and, as assigned under the direct supervision of individual City Attorneys or City Prosecutors, determines the factual and analytical research necessary to carry out assignments related to numerous, simultaneously occurring cases. Work includes determining which legal references and resources to use as well as scope of research, the design of interview questions and which witnesses to interview, how to independently organize evidence and prepare exhibits, analyze and summarize facts, prepare, review and update trial folders as well as prepare and control legal documents for the City Attorney’s Office and City Prosecutor’s Office as a whole.

This is a professional position requiring independent judgment, a thorough knowledge of legal processes and litigation procedures, legal research methods and the ability to perform and track numerous, simultaneous tasks.

Position Hourly Range:

$30.74 - $41.97/hr based on qualifications and experience.

This position is eligible for full city benefits, including:

• Health Insurance

• Dental, Vision and Life Insurance

• Paid vacation and personal leave

• Six to Twelve weeks of paid parental leave from day 1 of employment

• Retirement contributions toward a pension plan and/or 401(k)

• A robust Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)

• Up to $4,000 tuition reimbursement annually

• Discounted supplemental benefits like pet insurance and legal services

IMPORTANT: Early application submittal is encouraged. This position will remain open until filled and may close at any time without notice.

Key Responsibilities:

As directed by the supervising attorneys, analyzes and summarizes factual data, statutory law, depositions or other informational material obtained from investigations, interviews, and pre-trial discovery. Prepares written documents containing the legal analysis of research results. In collaboration with legal staff, determines the need for additional factual or analytical data.

• Interviews clients and witnesses in investigations and case preparation; locates, obtains, organizes case file information and supporting evidence.
• Assists, as needed, in the strategy for document production. Drafts formal, routine legal documents under the direction of various supervising attorneys including petitions, motions and supporting memoranda, stipulations, subpoenas and notices to appear, pre- and post-trial statements, and discovery documents such as interrogatories and requests for production of documents.
• Prepares all trial folders and notebooks for use by the supervising attorney in case presentations including the preparation and organization of file contents, summaries and cross-indexing of relevant facts, evidence, deposition statements, and other critical documents.
• Maintains master litigation schedule and document control system. Reviews and updates cases to determine on-going informational needs, case critical deadlines and the tracking, tracing and control of case documents. Assists in keeping assigned cases on track.
• Assists in preparation for and may attend discovery conferences and depositions, meetings with clients and witnesses, internal planning meetings, pre-trials, hearings on motions, evidentiary hearings, court appearances and administrative
• hearings.
• This position may also provide support for specialty & other court programs and assist with discovery-related processes as assigned to meet the operational needs of the Office.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School graduation or GED equivalent plus a certificate of Paralegal studies from an accredited institution or the ability to obtain within six months of hire, and four years, full-time paid paralegal experience and/or experience working in a law firm performing similar duties, including preparation and assistance in litigation procedures and substantive areas of the law.

• Ability to analyze and rapidly appraise facts, evidence and legal research, and effectively organize such material for oral and written presentation by the City’s attorneys.

• Ability to perform legal tasks using discretion and independent judgment and interact with attorneys and other professionals with administrative competence.

Desired Qualifications:

• CLA, CP or CLAS additional professional certification from the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA).

• Previous use and understanding of eDiscovery software along with other standard products, like Word, Excel and Outlook.

Working Conditions:

• Comfortable working conditions.  Handling of light weights. Intermittent sitting, standing and walking.

• Consistent exposure to stressful situations as a result of human behavior, workload and   consequence of decisions.

• Required to organize and retain familiarity with numerous cases, of varying complexity and circumstances, within strict time frames.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by persons assigned to this job.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required of personnel so classified. 

All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

POSITION TYPE

Full-Time

DEPARTMENT

Attorney

Full Time/Part Time:

Full time

Scheduled Hours:

40