Paralegal

Job Title: Paralegal

Salary range: $43,251.13/yr - $48,746/yr

Department: County Attorney

Employment Type: Full-Time

Job Description:

PARALEGAL

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:        The work involves performing paralegal duties in a county department or other local municipal office.  The incumbent works under the supervision of attorneys who assign work and projects.  The incumbent is responsible for performing a variety of tasks, that while not requiring the skills of an attorney, nevertheless, entail the application of limited legal procedures and research techniques, to facilitate the preparation and checking of legal documents and matters for litigation.  Depending upon the department or municipality involved, the incumbent’s specific duties may vary within the broad framework of paralegal skills.  Supervision may be exercised over the work of others depending on assignment.  The incumbent does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

  • Assists with preparation of rough drafts of resolutions, court briefs and various legal documents as assigned and prepare digests of selected decisions and opinions;
  • Familiarity with online legal research to assist in legal references and includes an analysis of precedents involved in relation to the case of matter under discussion;
  • Searches legal reference files and other sources for information and data required by the attorney concerned in conducting interviews and answering correspondence;
  • Prepares and types summons & complaints, petitions, court orders, affidavits, renewal contracts, resolutions and legal notices for a department or municipality;
  • Assembles exhibits, affidavits, legal documents, etc., for the use of attorneys in the preparation for court cases, and collects any additional information which is needed;
  • Prepares supporting depositions and affidavits based on statement takes from petitioners and witnesses;
  • Assists with preparation of standardized forms concerning Family Court, Supreme Court, and Criminal Court proceedings which may be handled by the Attorney’s office;
  • Verifies citations in briefs, memos and opinions, rechecks the accuracy of cited cases;
  • Assists in the preparation of cases by identifying and interviewing witnesses, police officers, victims, and takes appropriate steps to insure that priority is given to cases pending or in need of immediate filing in court;
  • Arranges service of process for court proceedings;
  • Composes and prepares correspondences applying a knowledge of department operations and regulations;
  • Prepares board resolutions and contracts pertaining to all County Departments;
  • Prepares drafts of motions and responses to motions, takes complaints, determines status of cases and responds to inquiries;
  • Informs department of court decisions and returns files to the appropriate unit;
  • Assists in the preparation of hearings and trials by coordinating conferences, appointment times for witnesses, gathering of evidence, interviewing witnesses, issuing subpoenas, etc.
  • Keeps court calendar and prepares files in preparation of court schedules;
  • Other related work as required by attorneys.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Good knowledge of legal documents, procedures and municipal law office routine; ability to learn and implement e-filing of documents with courts; good communication skills, particularly in writing clearly and effectively; ability to read and analyze legal materials, including court cases and opinions; ability to perform accurate legal research; ability to prepare legal documents appropriate to a municipal law office; ability to deal with highly confidential and sensitive cases and material; ability to assist legal staff by performing a variety of routine legal duties; ability to understand and carry out complex written and oral instructions; ability to proof read all prepared documents; familiarity and ability to use and apply Microsoft 365 tools effectively, including excel spreadsheets, word and power point; ability to work well with others and cross train for office efficiency.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  Either:

  1. Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a bachelor’s degree or higher in legal studies or closely related field; or
  2. Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with an associate’s degree in paralegal studies, legal secretarial science or closely related field and one year of experience in a law office or providing clerical support to an Attorney; or
  3. Graduation from high school and three years of experience in a law office or providing clerical support to an Attorney; or
  4. An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits in (A), (B), and (C) above.

Note: Possession of a paralegal certificate issued by a regionally accredited or New York State registered institution, college, or university approved by the American Bar Association may be substituted for one year of experience.

Additional Note: Successful completion of coursework in legal studies or closely related field at a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university may be substituted for the required experience with three (3) semester credit hours of related coursework being equivalent to three (3) months of experience, up to one (1) year

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