Paralegal

This position, under general supervision, attends extradition hearings and ensures the extradition process is completed within the time frame allowed by statute. In the case of a contested extradition, makes regular contact with the Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney and the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth as required. Provides assistance in the extradition process to officers of the Fairfax County Police Department and other agencies involved in the extradition of a defendant to or from Fairfax County. 

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.) 

• Performs legal and factual research, verifies citations in legal memoranda and briefs and assists attorneys in identifying/locating and where appropriate, notifying all parties to litigation;
• Drafts legal memoranda, motions, pleadings, discovery requests and discovery responses and other legal documents;
• Tracks cases, files pleadings and sets docket matters down for hearing in the clerk's office to the extent permitted by court rules, prepares trial notebooks and exhibits and arranges for court reporters;
• Handles details incident to the appearance of witnesses, including preparing witness lists, issuing subpoenas, ensuring witnesses appearing court and maintaining a trial calendar;
• Assists attorneys in analyzing witness testimony by corroborating testimony through researching documentation, depositions court records, etc.;
• Compiles/assembles tax account and assessment data for real estate, personal property and business taxes, initiates processes to seize accounts/assets of delinquents, files law suits and follows up on judgements to ensure payment of taxes owed;
• Researches County records on all bankruptcies filed and files notice of claim to secure County claims for taxes owed;
• Reviews subdivision documents including Deeds of Dedication, Articles of Incorporation and By-laws of Homeowners Associations to ensure compliance with the Fairfax County Subdivision Ordinance;
• Prepares summaries for final approval of real estate documents for supervising attorneys and drafts final approval memoranda to appropriate County agencies;
• Conducts title searches;
• Reviews/monitors time-sensitive documents such as parties at interest affidavits filed in connection with zoning/land use actions for proper disclosure to insure compliance with local ordinances and the Virginia Code and makes revision recommendations as appropriate;
• Reviews certificates of incorporation, operating agreements, corporate resolutions, wills, and powers of attorney for proper format, appropriate signage, etc.;
• Provides information and training on various issues to County Attorney staff;
• Prepares presentations on legal issues for various boards, commissions and other departments;
• Updates law library, culling and adding materials as necessary;
• Maintains statistical and narrative records for litigation and assignment reporting purposes;
• Monitors and may supervise the activities of legal secretaries and law clerks.

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)  

• Knowledge of the methods, sources of information and materials of legal research;
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of substantive and procedural law;
• Knowledge of federal, state and administrative court procedures;
• Knowledge of County legal procedures and requirements related to basic legal work in a
• variety of areas such as local taxation, workers compensation, family services, real estate and the County's grievance procedure;
• Knowledge of systems and software technology to manage, track or organize information/data;
• Ability to perform legal review/research;
• Ability to use online legal research services and tools as well as the internet to perform legal review and research;
• Ability to interview witnesses and to assist attorneys in preparing witnesses for deposition or trial, exercising judgement in determining the relevance of information to be provided;
• Ability to compile and analyze data and create accurate and complete reports and charts;
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals,
• including the general public, members of the legal and business community, and department staff;
• Ability to express oneself effectively, both orally and in writing. Ability to work with short deadlines.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:   
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:
(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")
Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate's degree in paralegal or legal assistance studies or closely related field; Plus, one year of experience as a paralegal or legal assistant.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience preparing legal documents and performing legal research.
• Excellent customer service and communications skills (verbal, written, and presentation).
• Paralegal certification.