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Job Description
PARALEGAL SPECIALIST
DEFINITION
Under direction, assists in the preparation of cases for legal action, conducts assigned legal research, gathers factual information, and assists in the preparation of legal documents; does other related duties.
EXAMPLES OF WORK
- Gathering all relevant facts pertaining to the case in preparation for trial.
- Conducts legal research to identify laws, judicial decisions, legal precedents, and other relevant case material and prepares report of findings.
- Prepares drafts of legal arguments and various legal documents, obtains affidavits, and assists the attorney during trial or hearing.
- Organizes and maintains reference files, collects and analyzes evidence for hearings, and prepares informative or explanatory material on relevant laws, and agency regulation and policy.
- Researches and analyzes law sources such as statutes, recorded judicial decisions, legal articles, constitutions, and legal codes to prepare drafts of legal documents such as briefs, pleadings, appeals, and contracts for the review, approval, and use by attorney.
- Obtains documents from appropriate sources.
- Prepare reports, findings, surveys, and recommendations to assist members of the legal staff.
- Provides technical assistance.
- Reviews and answers correspondence.
- Reviews brief format prior to court submission.
- May schedule cases for attorneys and assemble data and information required for preparation of court cases.
- Interviews clients.
- Locates and interviews witnesses.
- Drafts correspondence and pleadings.
- Summarizes depositions, interrogatories, and testimony for review.
- Examines case files and records; determines issues and sufficiency of evidence or documentation.
- Briefs attorneys prior to a hearing or court appearance, assembles and arranges case files, documents, and exhibits.
- Attends court sessions or hearings.
- Establishes and maintains records and files.
- Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
REQUIREMENTS
- Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Paralegal Studies, Legal Studies, or related field, or a Paralegal Certificate from an accredited program.
- 2+ years of paralegal experience—preferably in housing, municipal, real estate, or public interest law, including experience in the preparation of drafts of contracts, briefs, motions, affidavits, or other legal documents and/or experience in the analysis of judicial decisions, legal opinions, rulings, memoranda, and other legal material, and the preparation of summaries of the points of law involved, may be substituted for the above education requirement.
- A driver’s license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
- Proficient in legal research, document drafting, and organizational skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- High attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple assignments.
- Experience with housing authority matters and knowledge of subsidized housing programs (e.g., Section 8) is preferred but not necessary.
- Familiarity with office technology and legal case management systems.
- Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals that are generally error free.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Monday-Friday | 8:00-5pm
The work environment 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.
BENEFITS
Fulltime employees are offered Health, Vision, Dental, Life, LTD, STD, and Rx Plan, benefits after 60 days of employment
