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Job Description
Introduction
Main Purpose of Job
POSITION DUTIES
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
BENEFITS
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS
Salary
The Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the State of Maryland. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has the general charge, supervision, and direction of the State’s legal business, acting as legal advisors and representatives of the major agencies, various boards, commissions, officials, and institutions of State Government. The OAG also protects the public by civil enforcement of antitrust, civil rights, consumer protection, and securities laws and regulations and by the prosecution of organized crime, Medicaid fraud, environmental crimes, insurance fraud, state tax evasion, and other statutorily assigned matters. As Maryland’s 47th Attorney General, Anthony G. Brown leads the Office with a critical focus on equity, justice, and fairness.
GRADE ASTD12
LOCATION OF POSITION This position offers a salary range of $51,580 - $72,159, with potential for advancement up to $79,673, based on longevity and increased responsibilities. Initial salary offers are determined by qualifications, experience, equity, and available budget, and will not exceed $72,159.
Office of the Attorney General
200 St. Paul Place
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
The Office of the Attorney General is seeking a Paralegal in the Contract Litigation Unit within the Civil Litigation Division to provide direct support to Assistant Attorney Generals in a fast-paced environment within the Contract Litigation Unit comprised of a dedicated team of 16, including 11 attorneys, Administrative Officer, two Paralegals, Management Associate, and a Legal Secretary.
The Contract Litigation Unit is primarily responsible for representation of State agencies in litigation arising out of State contracts, including but not limited to, the Maryland Departments of General Services and Transportation, the University of Maryland System and Morgan State University. The Unit represents these agencies before the Maryland State Board of Contract Appeals and in the courts in disputes regarding the formation (protests) and performance of State contracts (claims). Its responsibilities include defending against contractor claims and raising claims affirmatively against State contractors. The Unit's attorneys provide representation at trial and through appellate review. The Unit attorneys frequently consult with other State lawyers with respect to a variety of issues that arise under the State's General Procurement Law.
The collaborative environment of the Contract Litigation Unit encourages continuous learning and offers support from experienced legal professionals, making this a rewarding and challenging role for a dedicated Paralegal.
The Paralegal will be integral to the success of the Unit, performing duties that enable the attorneys to focus on more complex legal tasks and strategy. Building on foundational paralegal experience, the Paralegal will:
• Assist trial attorneys in their preparation and processing of legal documents relating to contract disputes, i.e., motions and memoranda before the Board of Contract Appeals or one of Maryland’s circuit courts, deposition and trial exhibits, pre-filed testimony, expert witness reports, appellate briefs, MDEC electronic filing, and PACER filings.
• Be responsible for establishing and maintaining an electronic document control system for e-discovery, including the preparation, organization and maintenance of files containing documents produced during discovery, memos, correspondence, expert reports, deposition testimony, fact-witness diaries and personal records, contract specifications and drawings, progress reports and photographs, inspection reports, attorney-client correspondence, and attorney work-product.
• Perform legal and other research relating to contract disputes, as well as analyze documents and select, summarize and characterize specific information pertaining to the issues in each case, i.e., abstracting depositions, assembling fact-witness files and preparing case chronologies.
This position requires a strong working knowledge of legal procedures and documentation, as well as the ability to manage multiple priorities with precision and efficiency. The ideal candidate will possess a keen attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
Experience: Three years of experience as a legal assistant or legal secretary performing legal research or preparing legal documents on behalf of an attorney.
Notes: 1. Thirty credit hours or a certificate in paralegal studies from an accredited college or university may be substituted for the required experience.
2. Thirty credit hours from an accredited law school may be substituted for the required experience.
3. Additional years of experience as stated above may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required education.
4. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in paralegal specialist classifications or paralegal specialist specialty codes in the legal and kindred field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.
The ideal candidate will possess:
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS 1. Associate’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
2. Five years of experience as a paralegal or legal assistant, to include legal research and preparing legal documents, verifying legal citations and references.
3. Experience with e-discovery platforms.
4. Experience with MDEC and PACER filings.
5. Knowledge of Maryland state and appellate court rules and procedures.
Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.
SELECTION PROCESS Applicants who meet the minimum and selective qualifications will be included in further evaluation. The evaluation may be a rating of your application based on your education, training and experience as they relate to the requirements of the position. Therefore, it is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application and answer all supplemental questions. Please report all related education, experience, dates and hours of work. Clearly indicate your college degree and major on your application, if applicable. For education obtained outside the U.S., any job offer will be contingent on the candidate providing an evaluation for equivalency by a foreign credential evaluation service prior to starting employment (and may be requested prior to interview).
Complete applications must be submitted by the closing date. Information submitted after this date will not be added. Incorrect/incomplete application forms will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.
Successful candidates will be placed on the eligible list for at least one year. Candidates may remain on the certified eligible list for a period of at least one year. The resulting certified eligible list for this recruitment may be used for similar positions in this or other State agencies
The successful candidate will be eligible for subsidized health benefits (medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage) and life insurance; leave, including annual (vacation), personal, sick, and paid parental leave; and will be eligible for participation in a contributory defined benefit pension plan in which they are vested after ten years. State employees are eligible to participate in two supplemental retirement plans: the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan and the 401(k) Savings and Investment Plan. The State also offers a free mass transit benefit for local bus and express bus services.
Online applications are STRONGLY preferred. Please upload a resume in addition to the on-line application. If the online application process is not available, please send your paper application and supplemental questionnaire to careers@oag.state.md.us. TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay. If you have specific questions about recruitment, email careers@oag.state.md.us.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: The OAG is an equal opportunity employer that encourages all interested persons to apply regardless of race, color, religion or belief, ancestry, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, pregnancy, family or parental status, veteran status, genetic information, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND BELONGING: The Office of the Attorney General views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving professional excellence and fostering and maintaining a culture where every employee can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the best pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values. We honor, respect, and celebrate all differences, both visible and invisible, and are committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting individuals who have historically been underrepresented in the practice of law and professional careers.
- $51,580 - $72,159
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