Paralegal

This position serves at the pleasure of the Executive Director. Under direct supervision, conducts research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action or administrative action for the Circuit Public Defender Office. Drafts and prepare legal documents for review. Assist legal offices with scheduling hearings, appointments, and interviews.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

• Calls or contacts witnesses, attorneys, and other legal parties.
• % Compiles and prepares legal documents such as subpoenas, briefs, pleadings, appeals, decisions, and certificates of service.
• % Conducts legal research and may provide guidance to others. Coordinates law office activity, including delivery of subpoenas and response to interrogatories and other legal requests.
• % Gathers and analyzes data, statutes, decisions, legal articles, and documents. Reviews legal publications and performs database searches to identify laws and court decisions relevant-to pending cases or issues.
• % Investigates facts of cases, evidence and applicable case law to determine causes of action and to prepare cases.
• % Schedules and participates in hearings between parties.
• All other duties as assigned.

Education/Experience

Associate's degree in paralegal studies from an accredited college or university OR certificate from a paralegal training program OR one year of experience as a legal assistant in a legal environment.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Considerable knowledge of legal practices and procedures
• Program Policies
• Customer Service Principals
• Ability to learn applicable laws, rules and regulations

Skills (Position requirements at entry):

• Strong organizational and proof-reading skills
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Ability to draft and prepare legal documents
• Ability to work independently
• Handling sensitive and confidential information
• Skilled in conducting legal research
• Utilizing and operating computers and applicable software
• Communication and interpersonal skills

Abilities:

• Ability to use Nexus/Lexis and/or Westlaw software.
• Ability to prepare and/or coordinate trial documents, evidentiary documents, or exhibits.
• Ability to gather and interpret regulatory provisions and present findings.
• Ability to prepare discovery requests and/or responses.

Other:

Travel is required from office to other locations for this position.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Depending upon area of assignment:

• Positions in this class typically require intermittent sitting, standing, stooping, crouching, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Work is performed in an office, courtroom, and jails, sometimes for long period of time.
• Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to this job.

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