Legal Assistant/Paralegal - Foia Section

Established by the Detroit City Charter, the Law Department is an independent agency that represents the interests of the City of Detroit as a corporate body. The Department is headed by the Corporation Counsel, whose mission is to provide a variety of legal services to the City, its elected officials, departments, agencies, offices, commissions, and boards, as well as its individual employee, in their official capacity.

The Department has dozens of attorneys, specializing in various areas, who provide legal advice, opinions, and counsel to clients; defend all legal actions against the City; prosecute violations of State law and/or City Ordinances on behalf of the people of the City of Detroit.

The position requires the retrieval, review and dissemination of city records in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), retrieval and review may include but not be limited to electronic and hard copy records comprising of paper and electronic records, reports and police video footage. Electronic records dissemination may include the conversion of files to digital file formats that can be easily converted, copied, redacted or stored, and shared using a variety of secured platforms.

• Be required to manage a variety of digital media formats and software programs.
• Must be familiar with converting audio and video data files to various formats.
• Must have the requisite skills to upload and download data files to servers and other media platforms.
• Performs legal research under the direction of an attorney.
• Gathers information regarding laws, ordinances, regulation, court decisions and similar materials.
• Prepare summaries of research results and conclusions.
•  Acts as liaison among clients, various internal departments as well as with outside agencies and parties.
• Locates, collects, organizes, reviews and summaries documents.
• Prepares histories and chronologies of events or other subject matter.
• Prepares oral and written reports, and presentations.
• Maintain and operate computerized databases.
• Provides administrative assistance such as preparation of case statistic reports, case summaries, litigation activity reports and other reports as requested by management.
• Organizes and maintains evidence materials, case and other legal files and records.
• Files pleadings and other legal documents with courts and administrative agencies; efiles documents in all courts
• Assist attorneys in carrying out their assignments.
• Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; and participating in professional organizations.
• Primarily responsible for own files.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

ABILITY TO:

• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Proofread and edit correspondence and legal documents for accurate grammar, spelling, and punctuation usage.
• Identify and solve complex problems.
• Determine work priorities. 
• Organize work and establish priorities.
• Assist in establishing client relations.
• Effectively manage time.
• Follow instructions.
• Maintain composure during stressful situations occurring because of workloads and/or deadlines.
• Interact effectively with the public and departmental personnel with tact and diplomacy.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Research and analysis methods.
• Legal practices and procedures.
• Microsoft Office Suites.

SKILL IN:

• Conversion of files to digital file formats.
• Interpreting instructions and guidelines to make decisions and take necessary action(s).
• Preparing a variety of legal-related documents.
• Use of technology as a tool to provide support to attorneys.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Successful completion of an American Bar Association approved paralegal/legal studies programs and three years of work experience as a Legal Assistant.

-OR-

• An Associate degree with a specialization in paralegal studies form an American Bar Association approved institution and two years of work experience as a Legal Assistant.

-OR-

• Bachelor’s degree with a specialization in paralegal studies, legal studies, or legal administration from an American Bar Association-approved institution, and six months of work experience as a Legal Assistant.

LICENSE, CERTIFICATION AND OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Valid State of Michigan Operator License. Employees in this class will be required to provide and operate a motor vehicle on a reimbursed mileage basis.

EQUIVALENCY 

• Equivalent combinations of education and experience that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Evaluation Plan

• Interview: 70%
• Evaluation of Training, Experience & Personal Qualifications: 30%
• Total of Interview and Evaluation T.E.P: 100%

• Veteran Points: 0 – 15 points
• Detroit Residency Credit:   15 point

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

1. Work involves office and field activities.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to the class. Incumbents may be required to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Specific job duties may vary from position to position. 

Candidates considered for placement in this classification may be subject to Criminal Background Investigation based on the requirements of the position