Paralegal Department: Legal
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Salary: $57,112.04
Position Overview
Under supervision of the City Attorney this position involves assisting with case and claim planning, development, and management, legal research, investigation and retrieval of facts and information related to claims and litigation, the drafting and analysis of legal documents, the collection, compilation, organization, and analysis of information for purposes of assisting staff attorneys and in the effectuation of duties and responsibilities related thereto as well as associated administrative work and other tasks and assignments needed in a small office with a very broad practice and scope of services, all with more than average difficulty in the legal field. The Paralegal performs a variety of complex and highly responsible paralegal and administrative duties. Performs specialized legal administrative duties including preparation and management of complex legal documents. Among other tasks and responsibilities, this individual will perform a variety of complex and highly responsible paralegal and administrative duties and be responsible for drafting, reviewing, and preparing legal documents as well as ordinances and resolutions, correspondence, and memoranda, as well as assisting with filing of court documents, uploading items on agendas for public meetings, and performing legal research and assisting with investigative work or projects.
Essential Job Functions
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, May include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
• Performs legal research and assists in the preparation of drafts, ordinances, resolutions and other documents, such as leases, agreements, contracts and pleadings.
• Prepares draft responses to interrogatories, requests for production of documents, and requests for admissions.
• Collects and organizes information for hearings, mediations, trials, and briefs.
• Assists with drafting resolutions, ordinances, agreements, and memoranda of understanding.
• Re-drafts documents reflecting negotiated terms.
• Participates in document review conferences.
• Conducts legal research on issues involving ordinances, resolutions and litigated matters.
• Maintains awareness of current legal issues through study of legal publications and other relevant materials relating to areas of assignment.
• Organizes and maintains paper and electronic filing systems for records, correspondence, and other material.
• Reviews and assists with research and drafting of preliminary agenda items for boards, commission, and council meetings.
• Assists with electronic filing and service of court submissions and filings and electronic uploading of items on to agendas for public meetings.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.
• Extensive knowledge of legal procedures, legal terminology and legal research techniques.
• Extensive knowledge of the sources and availability of research material, and the ability to effectively conduct research assignments.
• Considerable knowledge of legal forms and administrative procedures and the electronic filing systems of area state and federal courts.
• Knowledge of the organization, functions, procedures and intergovernmental relationships of the City.
• Knowledge of judicial procedures, rules of civil procedure, and rules of evidence.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to utilize computers including various computer applications and software to perform legal research and title searches and perform needed research and investigative work.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City officials, other employees, representatives of other agencies, attorneys, and the general public.
• Ability to work under deadlines and within regulations and schedules.
• Ability to work with citizens in stressful situations and circumstances.
• Ability to communicate ideas and concepts both orally and in writing.
• Ability and skill to prepare and draft clear, concise, and sound documents, including, but not limited to, correspondence, motions, pleadings, discovery, discovery responses, briefs, ordinances, resolutions, memoranda of understanding, and summaries of research or investigative projects.
• Principles of legal writing.
• Problem identification, analysis, and evaluation.
• Principles of effective writing and verbal presentation.
• Knowledge of and proficiency in computerized legal research systems, including Westlaw.
• Knowledge of and proficiency in all Microsoft Office programs, to include Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel.
• Knowledge of and proficiency in Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Acrobat Pro.
Education and Experience
Have successfully graduated from an accredited college or university with an Associate's Degree in Paralegal studies or successful completion of Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) certifying examination of the National Association of Legal Assistants or equivalent certification. Five (5) or more years experience as a paralegal/legal assistant in an active law practice.
Required Licenses or Certificates
Must possess a Mississippi Driver's license.
Physical Demands and Working Conditions
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical requirements include occasional lifting/carrying of 10+ pounds; visual acuity, speech and hearing; hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer keyboard and basic office equipment. Subject to sitting, standing, reaching, walking, twisting and kneeling to perform the essential functions. Working conditions are typically indoors.