Paralegal

Job Summary

"Performs professional-levelparalegal duties and specialized legal tasks delegated by a supervising attorney, including assisting an attorney to prepare for hearings, trials, and meetings. Investigates the facts of cases and ensures that all relevant information is considered; drafts legal documents, reports, and memoranda. Identifies and researches laws, court decisions, rules, ordinances, and other materials that are relevant to assigned cases in the preparation of the supervising attorney’s legal arguments. Organizes, tracks, and maintains case files. NOTE – Paralegals are distinguished from Sr Legal Assistants in their work by having additional responsibilities and accountabilities in legal analysis, argument construction/creation, and latitude relative to their role in legal proceedings and settlements."

Job Description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Conducts legal research, case and issue analysis to assist Attorney(s) in the preparation for trials and hearings.

• Provides a variety of specialized legal support tasks to the entire office.

• Identifies and evaluates information to assist Attorneys in the determination of the appropriateness for legal action. 

• Drafts legal documents, including petitions/complaints, motions, memoranda, affidavits, summons, court orders, settlement agreements, or stipulations. 

• Collects, analyzes, investigates, and summarizes facts, evidence, and information from a variety of sources. 

• Assists Attorneys with trial preparations, referencing and accessing pertinent case documents, and assisting with witness and evidence coordination. 

• Performs legal research regarding cases and issues of concern and drafts memoranda of law or reports regarding assigned cases. 

• Reviews and manages data submitted from other agencies and investigates facts of the assigned cases. 

• Monitors case files to ensure compliance with appropriate deadlines, rules, and procedures. 

• Prepares and files court documentation consistent with appropriate deadlines, rules, and procedures.

• Negotiates and manages cases with opposing counsel or parties, subject to approval by assigned attorneys.

• Attends and participates in court, hearings, and meetings upon request, where deference and adherence to decorum is imperative. 

• Provides oversight and tracking of defendant compliance with forfeiture administrative programming for case management.

• Monitors third-party and minor interest civil cases for needed legal intervention.

• Utilizes, organizes, develops, updates, and maintains numerous databases and records.

• Schedules and coordinates meetings, hearings, and court appearances for assigned cases. 

• Works collaboratively and in cooperation with other counties and agencies within and outside the state of Minnesota.

• Works the hours and/or shifts assigned and begins and ends work on time.

• Performs other related duties as required or assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Requires:
* a bachelor’s degree and paralegal certification OR
* a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies OR
* an associate's degree and Paralegal certification AND two years of legal support experience in a law office or government agency OR
* an associate’s degree in paralegal studies AND two years of legal support experience in a law office or government agency.

Ability to pass CJIS fingerprinting is required. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION(S)

Preference given for work experience in area of law directly related to the position.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The employee is under the supervision of the County Attorney and one or more Assistant County Attorneys. Work is assigned and reviewed by the supervising attorney.

CORE COMPETENCIES AND ABILITIES
Customer Service - Delivers government services in a respectful, responsive, and solution-oriented manner.

Communication - Is always clear about what we're doing and why we're doing it.

Collaboration - Works with partners – communities, schools, faith groups, private business, and non-profit agencies – to see that services are not duplicated but rather are complimentary, aligned, and provided by the partners who can deliver the service most effectively.

Stewardship - Works proactively to make investments, guided by resident input, which will transform lives, communities, and government.

Empowerment - Works with individuals and families to affirm strengths, develop skills, restore hope, and promote self-reliance.

Resiliency - Fosters public preparedness and responds when families and communities face health and safety emergencies.

Innovation - Takes informed risks to deliver services more effectively and learns from successes and failures.

Knowledge – Knowledge of the criminal justice system, including roles, rules, and procedures.

Knowledge of legal terminology and legal research methods, systems, and resources.

Knowledge of the law, including state and federal law, and county ordinances.

Knowledge of legal resources, including publications, online resources, and the organization of law library systems.

Knowledge of principles of criminal law and the issues of criminal law enforcement, procedure and evidence.

Knowledge of civil and appellate rules and procedures, including the preparation of briefs and memoranda.

Abilities - Ability to use investigative techniques to clarify, synthesize, and summarize complex and diverse case information.

Ability to analyze statutes and caselaw and synthesize requirements into daily work.

Ability to use legal writing skills for the preparation of effective briefs and memoranda.

Ability to communicate and regularly interact with other justice system partners and personnel for the effective exchange of information.

Ability to use MS Office software for the performance of essential duties.

Ability to speak, present, and interact in public arenas with composure, professionalism, and discretion.

Ability to use appropriate discretion in dealing with matters of a confidential nature.

Ability to obtain, organize, and analyze legal documents and laws to determine applicability to a particular case.

Ability to precisely document and clearly present findings and opinions to the supervising Attorney.

Ability to organize, index, and track files and documents.

Ability to multi-task in an office with changing priorities and occasional periods of high stress

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Typical characteristics of the regular, ongoing work environment of this position requires inside work, typically in an office setting.
Physical activities include sedentary to light work: Reaching, sitting, standing, walking, pushing, lifting, pulling, fingering, grasping, feeling, stooping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Lifts and/or navigates up to 35 pounds on a routine basis in handling files and equipment necessary for performing the essential duties of the job.

SELECTION PROCESS

Selection for this position will be based on a minimum qualifications screening and rating of training and experience. Top candidates will be forwarded to hiring manager or supervisor for consideration for interview and/or additional assessments. Final selection will include a background check and approval by the County Board.