Discovery Paralegal

COUNTY OF LEHIGH; Allentown (Lehigh County); On-site; USD 57,844,000 - 82,384,000; Full time

Job summary

The Lehigh County Office of the District Attorney seeks a Discovery Paralegal to assist Assistant District Attorneys by coordinating and reviewing discovery materials, including video footage and digital records, from law enforcement and providers.

You will manage case files, secure witness contact information, assemble and file discovery, support court filings, and ensure materials are organized and ready for defense counsel, while maintaining accuracy under tight deadlines.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate's degree in paralegal, legal assistant or criminal justice studies; or one year or more related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide discoverable materials to attorneys under supervision of the District Attorney and Assistant District Attorneys.
• Secure names, addresses, emails, and phone numbers of potential witnesses.
• Request, assemble, and file discovery from police departments, medical facilities, providers, opposing parties, experts, etc.
• Gather, organize, summarize, index electronic and paper documents, and record discovery materials in the office database.
• Assist with court filings in state and federal courts.

Skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Verbal and written communication

Teamwork

English language proficiency

Education

Associate degree in paralegal, legal assistant or criminal justice studies

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Summary

• The Lehigh County Office of the District Attorney is responsible for investigating and prosecuting criminal conduct in Lehigh County. This position will support that task.
• The Discovery Paralegal is a professional legal position primarily assisting Assistant District Attorneys. An individual in this role would be a self-motivated professional with strong organizational and case management skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. An individual in this position would coordinate the collection of case related materials from law enforcement agencies and then review, secure, maintain and (when necessary) redact the materials before providing them to defense counsel. Such materials include videos from body worn cameras, dashboard cameras, ring doorbell cameras, municipal cameras and license plate readers, etc. This also includes materials seized from cellphones and cellphone providers as well as information from internet companies and financial and medical records which are almost always provided in digital formats.

Essential Duties

• The individual would work under the supervision of the District Attorney and Assistant District Attorney to provide discoverable materials to the appropriate attorneys/ parties.
• Secure the names, addresses, email addresses, and telephone numbers of potential witnesses.
• Request, assemble, and file discovery from various police departments, medical facilities and/or providers, opposing attorneys and/or parties, experts, etc.
• Performs duties that include assisting with case file management, gathering, organizing, summarizing, and indexing of electronic and paper documents and other discovery materials.
• Compiles and records all discovery materials using the office's database.
• Assists with court filings in state and federal courts.
• Must be able to pay close attention to details and concentrate on work duties.
• Must be able to cope with the physical, mental and emotional stress of the job.
• Performs administrative office support within the office on an as-needed basis.
• Adjusts to any changes in job-related responsibilities as legislation or regulation may require, or as the District Attorney or local policy board may deem necessary.

Education/ Experience

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate's degree in paralegal, legal assistant or criminal justice studies; or one year or more related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Required

• Must possess rudimentary knowledge of office automation.
• Must be able to speak and understand the English language and to follow oral and written instructions.
• Must possess strong organizational, verbal and written communication skills.
• Must possess strong attention to detail and ability to manage competing deadlines.
• Must possess the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Must possess knowledge in the Pennsylvania Crimes Code, Rules of Criminal Procedure, and Vehicle Code.
• Must possess interpersonal skills to interface with this office and other members of the criminal justice community.
• Fluency in Spanish is a plus.
• Litigation experience is a plus.

Salary: $24.47 - $24.47 per hour