Paralegal - Public Law (CA)

Best Best & Krieger LLP is a nationally recognized law firm focused on delivering effective and client-service oriented solutions to complex legal issues facing public agencies, businesses and individuals across the U.S. BBK is proud to trace the firm's success back to the groundwork of professionalism and community service laid by its founders 135 years ago. Today, with nearly 250 attorneys in offices throughout California and in Oregon and Washington, D.C., we efficiently and meaningfully assist our clients with complex, multi-disciplinary issues and provide creative solutions.

At BBK, we place a high degree of value in creating and nurturing a work environment that attracts the best talent and reflects our commitment to inclusiveness and collaboration. We are proud of our diverse workplace, where we respect and value our colleagues for their unique perspectives and experiences.

Performs a range and variety of substantial legal work on behalf of public agency clients at the direction and supervision of attorneys engaged in various practice areas of municipal and public law. Such practice areas include: Brown Act, code enforcement, conflict of interest, housing, local agency formation commission (LAFCO), Political Reform Act, public contracts and construction, public works improvements, Public Records Act, real property acquisition and relocation, zoning, planning and land use, as well as direct assistance to lawyers serving as City Attorneys and General Counsel.

Incumbent is responsible for critical client contact and assistance and is expected to possess expertise in terminology, procedures, deadlines, and be able to exercise discretion in the disposition of complex problems. Some duties require collecting, analyzing, and utilizing information to make an independent decision and recommendation to the supervising attorney or to prepare documents specific to the practice area, such as informative or explanatory materials on laws, agency regulations, and policies for general use by the agency and the public.

REQUIRED RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Serve as liaison between legal team and public agency client to assure quality and timely response.
• Act as a representative on behalf of the public agency counsel, demonstrating a positive attitude with professionalism, courtesy, and appropriate tact and discretion in all interactions with members of the public, opposing counsel, other agencies, and other employees.
• Research state and federal regulatory, statutory, case and other authorities applicable to the practice area, such as the Ralph M. Brown Act, the California Public Records Act, Political Reform Act, Fair Political Practices Commission regulations and opinions, California Environmental Quality Act, Conflict of Interest Codes, former Redevelopment statutes, and State and Federal records retention regulations.
• Select, assemble, summarize and compile substantive information by using federal, state, and local agency statutes, regulations, ordinances, resolutions, digests, commentaries, legal instruments and other materials/sources of information specific to the applicable practice area.
• Conduct legal, public record, and other research (including cite check/Shepardizing) relating to simple and complex matters, summarize findings and recommend proposed course of action and/or solution to the assigning attorney; be knowledgeable about internet research sources; assist with problem formulation, data collection, and analysis as needed by the assigning attorney.
• Prepare legal documents, for example, resolutions, ordinances, agenda/staff reports, contracts, disposition and development agreements, contracts, audit letter responses, pleadings, agreements, licenses, leases, deeds, quit claims, notices, memoranda, reports, correspondence, spreadsheets, etc, and correspondence applicable to the practice area in draft and final forms – including redline, as directed by the assigning attorney, and utilizes independent judgment to determine proper distribution; proofreads legal documents and correspondence and makes required corrections in spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Perform research and analysis of real property legal descriptions, property ownership, property profiles, title reports, leases, licenses, and contracts.
• Review client records (written, verbal and electronic) and confer with assigning attorney to prevent the unauthorized release of records.
• Collect and analyze evidence for hearings – as required.
• Maintain and ensure timely response of work in progress within the firm and update task logs for City and General Counsel clients.
• Monitor agenda deadlines (review agendas, communicate with City Clerks/Board Secretaries regarding meeting schedule and agenda item due dates and posting).
• Monitor agenda planning guides and action agendas for City Attorney/General Counsel items.
• Daily calendar review and prepare materials for upcoming meetings (i.e. background for meetings with staff, handouts, etc.).
• Manage workflow/delegate assignments as-needed for attorneys and client staff.
• Prepare closed session memos and monitor items for future closed sessions and reporting out.
• Regular check-in with City Clerk/Board Secretary and Department Directors regarding work in progress.
• Monitor legal services agreement provisions and deadlines, prepare amendments as necessary, review CPI adjustments and increases.
• Prepare materials for annual performance evaluations of City Attorney/GC and City Manager/GM, rough draft of self-evaluation memos, evaluation questionnaires and prepare transmittals for Council/Board.
• Routine Public Records Act, Brown Act and Political Reform Act research and assignments.
• Routine contract and document review.
• Prepare quarterly litigation report for City’s litigation matters.
• Review monthly time and cost entries for client billing and liaison with clients to resolve questions re the same – as required.
• Performs departmental and firm administrative and/or marketing non-billable assignments – as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• The degree of knowledge and ability as outlined under this section is that which is necessary to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of this position set forth above and:

KNOWLEDGE OF THE FOLLOWING:

• Rules for formatting, preparation, filing/recording and service/distribution of legal documents (as defined above) and correspondence applicable to the practice area.
• General and specific terminology appropriate to the practice area.
• Methods for researching federal, state and local regulations, codes, statutes, case and other authorities applicable to the practice area.
• Deadlines for monitoring appearances, meetings, filings, escrow closings, and other dates applicable to the practice area [subject matter].
• Computer software used in a law office environment that includes, but is not limited to, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Eclipse or other file management software, and the internet.
• Municipal and other governmental policies and procedures

ABILITY TO:

• Perform, organize and prioritize numerous assignments requiring attention to detail within the schedule set for completion of the same. Involves ability to shift priorities to meet deadlines as needed.
• Work closely with supervising attorney to ensure timely, accurate and complete responses to client needs and demands, including organizing work flow and assignments to other attorneys and paralegals in the firm.
• Exercise judgment and discretion and respond courteously and tactfully in a wide variety of situations, including responding to citizen complaints/concerns.
• Understand and carry out complex oral and written instructions.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of public entity employees and personnel in services that provide support to those employees.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficient or expert in use of computer software in a law office environment that includes, but is not limited to, Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, e-discovery software, and the internet.
• Work hours outside or beyond the usual business work day occasionally and as appropriate to complete work assignments or to perform departmental and firm administrative and/or marketing non-billable assignments.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Candidate should possess at least 6 years of legal experience in a municipal or governmental role. Compliance with the Calif. Business and Professions Code Sections 6450-6456 is preferred or equivalent experience as a City Clerk, Deputy City Clerk, or other municipal employee is acceptable.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND CHARACTERISTICS:

• Previous work experience in a public agency or law office practice serving public agency clients.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, copy machines, filing cabinets and fax machines.
• Normal law office environment with little exposure to excessive noise, dust, temperature and the like.

The reasonably expected pay scale for this position with 6 or more years of experience is $75,000 - $85,000 annually, non-exempt. The actual salary within that range will depend on the selected candidate’s location and experience. We encourage all interested candidates to apply.

Best Best & Krieger is an equal opportunity employer.