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- Description and Essential Functions
- To perform independent analysis and assist on a wide variety of legal issues involving litigation and advisory work under the direction of attorneys in the City Attorney’s Office.This recruitment is open until a sufficient number of applications are received and may close at any time without prior notice. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives direction from an assigned supervisor. May exercise technical and functional supervision over clerical personnel.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS – Functions may include, but are not limited to, the following: Collect and compile facts and research and analyze legal authorities, such as statutes, court decisions, pleadings, and articles for use in preparing legal documents; assist attorneys in drafting legal opinions on contract, employment, torts, ethics, land use and Public Records Act issues, and make independent recommendations to attorneys; draft and edit legal memos, correspondence, pleadings, memoranda of points and authorities, petitions for writs and appellate briefs, motions, stipulations, orders, rulings, notices, declarations, proofs of service and other related legal documents; prepare necessary responses to pleadings and discovery requests for civil and criminal matters in both state and federal courts, and interact with City departments to obtain necessary information; file documents with courts and attorneys; review and research court files; obtain telephonic rulings and hearing dates; communicate with City staff; review and prepare summaries of document productions, discovery responses, depositions, and/or digital media; interview witnesses; prepare documentation summaries; arrange, contact and coordinate investigators and experts; request subpoenas of records and review documents; and maintain telephone contact with courts, witnesses and attorneys; assist with document review and redactions for exemptions related to California Public Records Act requests; assist in trial preparation, including preparation of jury instructions, voir dire questionnaires, exhibits and coordination of court appearances of witnesses; prepare petitions and appeals; review contracts and assist attorneys through contract negotiations; maintain work production and flow, meeting established deadlines; perform difficult and complex legal support functions in major cases; build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service; and perform related duties as assigned. - Minimum Qualifications
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Certificate of completion of a Paralegal Program approved by the American Bar Association; OR
Certificate of completion of a Paralegal Program at, or a degree from, a post-secondary institution that has been accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization or approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. The program must include successful completion of a minimum of 24 semester/36 quarter college-level units in law-related course work; OR
Bachelor's Degree or higher AND one year of full-time law-related experience* under the supervision of an attorney who has been an active member of the State Bar of California or who has practiced in the federal courts in California for at least the preceding three years of application; OR
High school diploma, General Education Development (GED), or California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE) certificate AND three years of full-time law-related experience* under the supervision of an attorney who has been an active member of the California State Bar or who has practiced in the federal courts in California for at least the preceding three years of application.
*Note: An Attorney Attestation of Completion of Law-related experience form is required to document law-related experience. Click here to access the form.
Per Business and Professions Code Section 6450 et. seq. (“Code”) Paralegals in the State of California must complete the following mandatory continuing legal education (MCLE): Every two years, certify completion of four hours of MCLE in legal ethics and four hours of MCLE in either general law or an area of specialized law.- Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Physical Demands and Working Conditions
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of: Legal terminology, processes, procedures and the format for legal documents; civil litigation procedures and State or Federal courts rules, particularly in the areas of policy liability, personal injury, premises liability, employment law or land use; California Public Records Act; criminal procedure and prosecution practices; Federal, State and municipal law and regulations and administrative orders governing the City, the City Charter, municipal code and other procedures; standard office administrative and secretarial practices and procedures as well as local court rules and procedures, pleading practices and litigation protocol; computer applications used in the course of work, such as legal research databases, word-processing, spreadsheet and graphical presentation; organization, functions and activities of the City Attorney's office and municipal government; legal office and secretarial procedures and requirements; legal research software for document review and redactions and case and document management software; correct English usage, including spelling, grammar, punctuation and vocabulary; basic business arithmetic.Ability to: Perform extensive legal research with minimal guidance; Independently manage, respond to and prepare discovery pleadings; interview and interact with the public, attorneys and City employees regarding case investigation and trial preparation; maintain confidentiality; demonstrate understanding of and compliance with court rules, formatting requirements, and filing deadlines; understand and follow oral and written instructions; organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines and follow up assignments with a minimum of direction; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; work with various cultural, ethnic and socioeconomic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
Physical Demands and Working ConditionsSit for long periods of time at a work station; operate a computer keyboard, typewriter and/or a fax machine; read typical business documents; answer phones and customer inquiries; file or retrieve documents or files weighing up to 10 lbs. from large filing cabinets both above shoulder height and below; and do simple mathematics. Work is performed indoors in a carpeted and air-conditioned office environment with fluorescent lighting and moderate noise level. Some movement is required from office to office and there is exposure to the external environment when going to outlying offices and meetings. Work is frequently disrupted by the need to respond to in-person and telephone inquiries.- Additional Information
- Recruitment No. 25247511Candidates whose applications indicate education and experience most directly related to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process. All notices will be sent via e-mail. This recruitment is open until a sufficient number of applications are received and may close at any time without prior notice. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible.Unless otherwise noted, a passing score must be achieved at each step of the selection process in order to have your name placed on the eligibility list for hiring consideration. The examination materials for this recruitment are validated, copyrighted and/or inappropriate for review.
The eligibility list established as a result of this recruitment will be for a duration of six (6) months, unless otherwise extended.
- $5,912.40 - $7,186.60/month
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