Paralegal

Under general supervision of Assistant City Attorney.  Assists attorneys in the performance of preliminary and/or specialized legal tasks. This is a role that will require you to support the overall management of the legal team and caseload.

• Supervision Received
  • Works under the general supervision of the City Attorney.
• Supervision Exercised
  • May provide work direction to other support staff.

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

• Identify, collect, review, and evaluate information to assist Attorneys in the determination of appropriateness of legal action, development of legal issues and preparation of cases.
• Prepare, file and/or serve legal documents, including letters, motions, affidavits, court orders, subpoenas, stipulation and discovery requests, depositions, interview summaries, and trial notebooks.
• Conduct research for attorneys for cases and issues of concern.
• Summarize, organize and assemble facts, records, pleadings, exhibits and other relevant documents for case preparation.
• Schedule and coordinate depositions, meetings, court appearances and witnesses.
• Monitor case files to ensure compliance with appropriate rules and procedures.
• Gather information from victims and witnesses through interviews and from documents.
• Appear at trial or other court proceedings to assist attorneys with referencing and accessing pertinent documents, taking notes of testimony, witness assistance, exhibit coordination, etc.
• Analyze legislation.
• Create and maintain statistical records.
• Provide specialized assistance for training or committee purposes.
• Distribute workload to Legal Assistants and/or Receptionists.
• Order and maintain office supplies.
• Manage office calendars and scheduling.
• Provide assistance to victims.

• Education & Experience
  • Preferred associate degree in paralegal studies from an accredited educational institution.
• Necessary Knowledge Skills & Abilities
  • Experience working with victims of crimes.
  • Experience preparing witnesses/victims for trial.
• Preferred Skills
  • Knowledge of the juvenile, civil, social service, and/or criminal justice systems; sources for relevant information; the role of lawyers, paralegals and administration staff; legal protocol, legal vocabulary, document indexing, and filing methods; criminal rules of procedure and timelines of hearings and filing deadlines; legal department management; office management.
  • Working knowledge in legal case management software; proficient in word, excel, and outlook; working knowledge in judicial court system case management software.
  • Ability to assign workload, to entry-level Paralegals, Legal Assistants/Receptionists; maintain office calendars and scheduling; work independently with minimal supervision; analyze facts and evidence; conduct timely and accurate research; analyze and draft legal documents and pleadings; create and maintain filing and cross indexing systems; memorize factual details and find relationships between facts; function as part of a team; interview and comprehend key points; communicate verbally in writing; prepare and organize materials for use by others; excellent time management skills.
  • Certification from an accredited paralegal program.
• Special Requirements 
  • Must have a valid driver’s license.
  • Paralegal certificate.
  • Must be able to acquire/maintain a notary public certification.

• Tools & Equipment Used
  • Electronic typewriter, transcriber, personal computer, including word processing, spreadsheet and data base software, 10-key calculator, telephone, copy machine, fax machine.
• Physical Demands
  • The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and talk or hear, use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is also required to walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
  • The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and talk or hear, use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is also required to walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Work Environment
  • The characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 
  • The work environment is business office with typewriters, computers, computer printers, light to medium traffic. The noise level is moderate. 
• Selection Guidelines
  • The work environment is business office with typewriters, computers, computer printers, light to medium traffic. The noise level is moderate.
  • Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job related tests.
  • The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.