0000009798.Paralegal.Public Defender

Dallas County, Texas; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Dallas County's Law Division seeks a paralegal to assist attorneys with research, depositions, trial preparation, and discovery. The role involves drafting pleadings and related documents, interviewing clients, coordinating witnesses, and maintaining the litigation calendar.

Qualified candidates typically hold a Bachelor's degree with two years of experience; paralegal certification is preferred and a background check will be conducted.

Qualifications

• Education and experience equivalent to a Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Minimum two years of job-related experience.
• Certified Paralegal preferred.
• Knowledge of online legal research services.
• Must pass criminal background investigation.

Responsibilities

• Draft pleadings, motions, orders, and discovery requests.
• Interview clients in court to gather information and schedule hearings.
• Assist with briefs and trial preparation.
• Coordinate witness files and gather evidence summaries.
• Draft deposition questions; support discovery and document preparation.
• Manage litigation docket, calendars, deadlines, and repository of rulings.
• Handle other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Legal research

Client interviewing

Case management

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Description

Assists attorneys with research, depositions, trial preparation, discovery, drafting of documents for submission to court, and other administration functions for the law division.

Responsibilities

1. Assists attorneys by drafting pleadings, motions, orders, case information statements, interrogatories, and requests for admissions, production of documents and examination or inspection.
2. Meets and interviews clients in court to collect information, advise clients of the court process, schedule hearings and subsequent interviews and pass cases as allowed by the court rules.
3. Assists with the preparation of briefs to courts and trial preparation.
4. Meets with witnesses, coordinates the collection and review of witness files; gathers, organizes, summarizes, and analyzes factual data collected. Obtains written reports/analysis of physical evidence, injuries, issues, and financial evaluations from experts.
5. Drafts outline for questions for examining of witnesses at depositions; reviews and assembles documents to be used in deposition. Assists with and coordinate discovery process to ensure that all relevant information requested be provided to opposing party.
6. Maintains litigation docket, calendar, or tickler system, noting deadlines for responsive pleadings, motions, court appearances, and other important deadlines. Collects, organizes and maintains form files and repository and/or database for current court rulings.
7. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education, Experience and Training:

Education and experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a job related field of study. Two (2) years job related experience.

Special Requirements

Certified Paralegal preferred. Knowledge of on-line legal research services. Must pass criminal background investigation.

Disclaimers

This is an “at will” position with no civil service or other appellate rights. This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.

Physical/Environmental Requirements

Ability to sit for prolonged periods. Ability to lift and move files and/or property.