Legal Assistant I-III (Paralegal) - Child Protection Unit

DelDOT; Dover (DE); On-site; USD 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in Delaware is seeking a dedicated Legal Assistant to support its Family Division. This role is crucial in ensuring the legal system works effectively to protect children and families. As a Legal Assistant, you'll engage in drafting legal documents, conducting thorough legal research, and managing case files, all while working in a fast-paced environment. Your contributions will directly impact the lives of many, making this position not only a job but a fulfilling career dedicated to justice and community service. Join a committed team and make a difference in the lives of Delaware's families.

Benefits

Loan Forgiveness Eligibility

State Healthcare Plan

State Pension Plan

Over 4 Weeks of Vacation

3 Weeks of Paid Sick Leave

12 Weeks of Paid Parental Leave

Qualifications

• 3 years of legal experience in a similar role.
• Associate’s degree or certificate in Paralegal Studies required.

Responsibilities

• Support Deputy Attorneys General in legal matters for the Family Division.
• Draft legal pleadings and perform legal research.

Skills

Legal Research

Drafting Legal Documents

Interviewing Techniques

Case Management

Communication Skills

Education

Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies

Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice

Job description

Introduction

Delaware's Attorney General, the State's chief law enforcement officer, has a broad responsibility to combat crime, uphold civil rights, safeguard families, fight fraud, and protect consumers in the First State. In meeting this mission, Attorney General Kathy Jennings is supported by teams of talented lawyers and staff in the Criminal, Civil, Family, Fraud and Consumer Protection, and Civil Rights and Public Trust Divisions. Each of the more than 500 staff who work in the Office of the Attorney General are dedicated to serving all Delawareans with integrity and passion. Deputy Attorneys General, with critical support from criminal special investigators, victim service specialists, paraprofessionals, and administrative staff, prosecute criminal cases, enforce consumer laws, provide counsel to state agencies, ensure the public's access to open government, protect the abused, and much more.

Summary Statement

The Delaware Department of Justice seeks a Legal Assistant (Paralegal) to provide support to Deputy Attorneys General in the Family Division, Child Protection Unit in Kent County. This Legal Assistant position provides legal paralegal support to Deputy Attorneys General assigned to the Family Division and will report directly to the Child Protection Unit in Kent County. The Child Protection Unit represents the Division of Family Services (“DFS”) in their often-complex Dependency, Abuse and Neglect Custody hearings, Termination of Parental Rights hearings, and Child Protection Registry Substantiation hearings before the Family Court. Duties primarily include drafting legal pleadings, performing legal research, and reviewing discovery, and includes filing various legal documents, requesting reports, collating information, answering discovery, summarizing court orders, filing documents, and additional duties as may be assigned. A successful candidate must be capable of working independently in a high-paced work environment. This work is imperative to protecting Delaware’s children and is extremely fulfilling.

Essential Functions

1. Acts in liaison capacity between superior and various interested parties and judicial and/or court staff, clients, defendants, plaintiffs, victims, witnesses, law enforcement agents, elected and/or appointed officials and the public to gather, clarify and provide information regarding case facts and status.
2. Establishes and maintains case files ensuring that the files contain complete and accurate information essential to each step of the proceedings from pre-hearing and/or pre-trial through trial and sentencing.
3. Interviews involved parties such as clients, defendants, plaintiffs, victims, witnesses, arresting officers, or medical personnel to gather discovery material, evidence for case preparation and to complete various legal and/or court documents.
4. Reviews various reports as well as other information such as police reports, medical reports, retail, surveillance, computer files/electronic documents, body worn camera and video/audio; summarizes pertinent details of the case for Deputy Attorney Generals; follows up as necessary for additional documents; drafts answers to litigation complaints and responses to form 30 interrogatories; issues subpoenas to obtain medical, insurance, and employment records; serves and prepares discovery; and makes required redactions for discovery and case preparation.
5. Reviews law sources such as case law, judicial decisions, statute law, codes, regulations, and legal and subject matter articles to ensure issues are properly cited and provides superior with written details of similar cases including findings, judicial decisions, and memorandum/opinions of law.
6. Prepares legal pleadings, e.g. briefs, motions, indictments, information and appeals.
7. Provides reports and recommendations for new/revised operating policies/procedures.
8. Reviews state and federal codes, laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance of legal actions/processes.

Job Requirement Series

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Legal Assistant I

1. Three years of employment with the Department of Justice in a similar capacity.
2. Possession of an associate’s degree or certificate in Paralegal Studies from an ABA or Department approved program.
3. A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a related field.
4. Three years’ experience in preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files.
5. Three years’ experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information.
6. Three years’ experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
7. Two years’ experience in drafting legal documents such as legal briefs or memoranda of law including presenting facts, setting out and analyzing legal issues and applying legal precedents.
8. Two years’ experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action.

Conditions of Hire

Criminal background check: A satisfactory criminal background check is required as a condition of hire. Direct deposit of paychecks is required as a condition of hire. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Benefits

Department of Justice Benefits Include: May be eligible for Loan forgiveness (State and Federal). State of Delaware healthcare plan. State of Delaware pension plan. Over 4 weeks of vacation per year. 3 weeks of paid sick leave per year. 12 weeks of paid parental leave. To learn more about the comprehensive benefit package please visit our website at https://dhr.delaware.gov/benefits/.

Accommodations

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an auxiliary aid or service please call [phone]. TDD users should call the Delaware Relay Service Number 1-800-232-5460 for assistance. The State of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage and seek out a workforce representative of Delaware including race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.