Senior Paralegal

Hiring Preference

The Kalispel Tribe of Indians is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with federal law, the Kalispel Tribe of Indians applies Indian preference in employment. It is the policy of the Kalispel Tribe of Indians to give preference in hiring, promotions, and transfers into vacant positions to qualified applicants in the following order: 1) Kalispel Tribal Members; 2) Descendant or Spouse of an enrolled Kalispel Tribal Member; 3) enrolled members of other Indian Tribes; 4) all other applicants. At-Will Employment: Employment with the Kalispel Tribe of Indians is at-will and can be terminated with or without cause, and with or without notice, at any time, either at the option of the employee or the Kalispel Tribe of Indians. Drug Testing: The Kalispel Tribe of Indians is a drug free workplace. All applicants are subject to drug testing at the time of hire and at unannounced times during employment. Background Investigation: All candidates and employees may be subject to a background investigation.

 

Summary of Functions

The Tribe's Legal Department provides a wide variety of services to the Tribal government, its programs, and economic enterprises. This supervisory paralegal position provides case management support to the Senior Tribal Attorney and other  designated attorneys. The paralegal will have a broad range of responsibilities including, but not limited to, managing various types of litigation (for example employment, contract and tort), assisting in the subpoena and discovery process, file and database management, and supervision of legal support staff. The employee's substantive work is supervised by an attorney. The employee performs complex paralegal duties requiring a high degree of knowledge of legal concepts, issues and research which, absent the paralegal, would be performed by an attorney.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Senior Paralegal may independently or with minimal supervision perform the following:

• Manages and directs workflow efficiently across the office to ensure that attorneys receive needed support with caseloads.
• Monitors the preparation of legal documents (e.g., contracts, Tribal Resolutions, depositions, subpoenas, case summaries) and reviews work to ensure accuracy and consistency with policies.
• Stays proficient in the technical updates and tools available in the legal files and contract management programs.
• Participate in case reviews with attorneys to ensure paralegals and support staff are being utilized effectively.
• Works directly with and provides backup support to the Executive Assistant for office management.
• Update, establish and maintain client/case files (litigation, research, and investigative) and track case status; obtain necessary case documentation; maintain electronic case database.
• Collect, compile, organize indexes, and analyze evidence such as electronic data and documents for use in disclosure and discovery; prepare large document production, respond to discovery requests, reviews for privilege, prepares privilege logs, and redacts privileged information and/or document coding for use.
• Legal research and draft memorandum; proof-reads for substance and format, including legal citations and/or sherardize, in conformance with approved standards.
• Draft for attorney review, pleadings, correspondence, reports, and other legal documentation (such as contracts, notices, and amendments) in accordance with applicable laws, court rules and statutes; investigates facts of cases; interviews potential witnesses.
• Assists attorney in litigation preparation (indexing, exhibits, deposition summaries, trial notebooks, analyze and review evidence).
• Coordinate with other Tribal programs to assist in the delivery of services.
• Work directly with information related to legal analysis of contracts and grants with a focus on preserving and protecting Tribal Sovereignty. Advance understanding of contract grant review as applicable to tribal and other governmental entities (federal, state, and local) and Tribal enterprises. Knowledge of fiscal implications preferred.
• Ensure vendor contracts and purchase orders follow finance policies and procedures.
• File pleadings in multiple jurisdictions in compliance with the local court rules.
• Oversee the maintenance and use of legal documents, forms, and templates.
• Under supervision of an assigned attorney, works closely with Tribal programs, such as Human Resources, Tribal Gaming Agency, Tribal Departments and Tribal Businesses regarding compliance with applicable laws and assist with the development of associated policy and procedures.
• Perform miscellaneous administrative duties including, but not limited to, scheduling of meetings, securing travel arrangements, calendar maintenance, and general office support.
• Assist with compiling legal data for single-audit reporting.
• Exemplary communication skills must be provided to Kalispel Tribal Members, Tribal Departments and Tribal Enterprises, Executive and Director level staff, coworkers, other governmental and outside agencies, vendors, and enterprise guests. Must have a demonstrated capacity to function with minimal guidance in a highly demanding fast-paced environment and in the highest ethical manner.
• Additional duties as assigned.

 

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Provide training and supervision of paralegals and legal support staff (maintains staff records, time coordination)

 

Qualifications

Will accept a suitable combination of pertinent education, experience or training as set forth below.

• Eight (8) years of paralegal experience with a two-year degree (Associate's degree); certified paralegal (NALA preferred).
• OR Five (5) years of paralegal experience with a four-year degree (Bachelor's degree); certified paralegal (NALA preferred).

AND

• Five (5) years of experience in a role supervising and training paralegal and other legal support

Experience

• Paralegal experience with demonstrated necessary supervisory, organizational, and managerial responsibilities.
• Familiarity with pleading/filing requirements for Tribal, Federal and Washington State Courts or demonstrated experience of interpreting relevant court rules.

Skills

• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in
• Ability to maintain confidential information.
• Demonstrated effective case management with high organizational skills.
• Demonstrated high level word processing and computer skills.
• Ability to organize multiple tasks, managing time effectively to meet deadlines and balance priorities required.

Other Requirements

• Kalispel Tribe Work Permit Level 3
• Valid Driver's License
• Current or ability to obtain Notary and Spokane County Registered Paralegal certification.

Physical Demands

• Significant portions of the job require extended sedentary periods; constant work with computers, including extended periods of keyboarding; and repetitive motion of hands and
• This position requires the ability to bend, stoop, lift, carry, and move items weighing up to 20 pounds.
• This position requires occasional local travel and some travel abroad for
• This position requires the ability to safely operate a motor
• Occasional evening meetings, weekend work, and on-call status may be

Work Environment

This position is performed primarily in an office environment.

Conflict of Interest

All employees shall refrain from any private business or activity, which might cause their personal interest to conflict with or affect the impartial discharge of their duties to the Kalispel Tribe of Indians. Each employee must demonstrate personal integrity and is charged with the responsibility to serve and represent the Kalispel Tribe in a professional manner. Employees must be free and appear free of any activity, agreement, business investment, or interest in situations which may interfere with that.