Paralegal

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, include the responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics listed below. This list of responsibilities is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Summary

Under general supervision, the Paralegal in the Civil Division of the Hays County Criminal District Attorney’s Office performs legal specialized duties primarily in matters of the General Counsel, including conducting routine legal research, responding to requests for information, document management, and case management. Screens, reviews, analyzes and organizes case-related material required for Court presentation and management in various courts for litigation matters which involve Hays County, or an elected or appointed official of Hays County, or the State of Texas as a party. Performs a variety of administrative and clerical support functions for the Criminal District Attorney or an Assistant Criminal District Attorney to whom assigned.  This position affects the accuracy, reliability and acceptability of further processes and services.

• Provides responses to requests for governmental records within the time period mandated by the Texas Public Information Act (PIA) and other state statutes.
• Coordinates the gathering of requested information from various departments of the County. 
• Receives and reviews requests for information and makes initial determinations as to which requests require a ruling from the Office of the Attorney General, coordinating these requests with supervisory staff.
• Redacts or reviews redactions in confidential records before releasing documents to the public.
• Calculates and assesses charges for public records in accordance with the Texas Public Information Act.
• Acts as administrator of the records request tracking software.
• Maintains schedules that track deadlines associated with the Texas Public Information Act and meets those deadlines.
• Drafts petitions, motions, discovery motions, and orders, such as but not limited to final orders, summary judgments, denials, motions to set, nonsuits and dismissals.
• Manages caseload from intake to closing with accuracy, including tracking and updating cases.
• Manages a calendaring system and case deadlines.
• Manages complex civil discovery deadlines.
• Drafts requests and responses for interrogatories, production, disclosures, admissions.
• Manages complex civil jury and non-jury trial preparation: including but not limited to witness lists and witness coordination, exhibit lists and coordinations, bates numbering and logging, pretrial motions and orders.
• Coordinates and schedules mediations and depositions with opposing parties, their attorneys, and attorney mediators.
• Drafts subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum.
• Gathers reports, videos, audio, photographs, records and/or criminal case documents from local law enforcement agencies, as requested.
• Performs general clerical duties including answering the telephone, filing, typing correspondence, and other similar duties.
• Assists the general public via telephone or in person with information pertaining to various legal issues and questions.
• Establishs and manages computerized and paper filing system.
• Assures the services delivered meet quality and timeliness standards. 
• Processes computerized information records systems with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Prepares cases for hearings  and depositions including but not limited to gathering and marking exhibits, coordinating witnesses, and maintaining witness schedule. 
• Contacts, coordinates and requests documents and information from county departments involved in active litigation cases and claims; reviews received documents and information for completeness.Performs legal research on a variety of legal issues, as needed. 
• Drafts and proofreads letters and memoranda, resolutions, proclamations, and contracts.
• Keeps the Civil Division of the Hays County Criminal District Attorney’s Office, and other appropriate County offices apprised of new litigation and claims.
• Maintains all litigation, claims and grievance files, while coordinating with the Human Resources Department.
• Performs legal research on a variety of legal issues, as needed. 
• Notarizes legal documents.
• Makes trips between government buildings, as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Required Bachelor’s Degree, AND
• Certificate in Paralegal Studies, or the equivalent such as: master’s degree in legal studies, OR in the process of obtaining a paralegal certificate.
• Two years of experience in the legal profession as a paralegal, preferred.

• Class C Texas driver’s license.
• Bilingual preferred (Spanish and English).
• Paralegal certificate or related education or experience preferred.
• Must have acceptable criminal history background (generally, Class C offenses only).
• Notary Public or able to become a Notary Public.