Legal Assistant II

County of Madera; Madera (CA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Madera is seeking a Paralegal to support attorneys with legal research, drafting documents, and litigation-related tasks. Responsibilities include analyzing statutes and court decisions, obtaining background information from county departments, and preparing materials for pretrial work.

The role requires knowledge of legal documents, strong research skills, and the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of legal documents and their use.
• Ability to conduct legal research and analyze statutes and case law.
• Proficient in drafting legal memoranda and basic instruments.

Responsibilities

• Perform legal research and draft documents for attorney review.
• Analyze statutes, court decisions and legal authorities.
• Gather factual background from departments and public records.
• Prepare pretrial materials and organize files for proceedings.
• Maintain and manage legal documents and training materials.

Skills

Legal research

Drafting documents

Legal analysis

Communication (oral & written)

Case management

Education

Paralegal or related coursework

Tools

Lexis/Westlaw

Job description

** Paralegals encouraged to apply**

Under general direction, to perform a wide variety of responsible legal support services for the staff in the office of assignment to include legal research, drafting legal documents, litigation support, electronic legal processing, department-client and public contact; and performs related duties as required.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

Examples of Duties

The job functions listed below are not inclusive or exclusive and are intended only as illustrations or examples of the various types of work that may be performed. Reasonable accommodation will be made when requested and determined by the County to be appropriate under applicable law.

• Conducts research for and prepares drafts of legal documents and memoranda for attorney review and approval.
• Analyzes statutes, court decisions and other legal authorities.
• Researches necessary facts and background information from other county departments, other agencies and the public.
• Prepares drafts of various legal documents, including but not limited to, opinions, ordinances, resolutions, leases, contracts, contract amendments and pleadings for attorney review and approval.
• Prepares documents and performs tasks necessary for pretrial preparation; organizes and maintains files and materials.
• Prepares reports, operates in and navigates through electronic computer systems or web-based search engines to conduct legal research.
• Maintains files of opinions and memoranda written by staff.
• Reviews contracts for compliance with statutes, court decisions and other legal authorities.
• Assists attorneys with moderately complex legal research and supports ligation related matters.
• Reviews and implements new work methods and procedures and assists in the development of procedures and training manuals.

Employment Standards / Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Legal documents and a full understanding of their use.
• Filing procedures and legal terminology.
• Principles and practices of the law pertaining to the office of assignment.
• Methods of legal and factual research.
• Discovery techniques.
• Drafting legal memoranda.
• Use of legal research computer and web-based systems.
• General legal office practices and procedures.

Skill to:

• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment.
• Type at a rate necessary for successful job performance.

Ability to:

• Conduct legal research.
• Interpret legislative codes, court rulings and case law.
• Draft basic legal instruments, resolutions, memoranda, pleadings and contracts.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Follow written and verbal instructions.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with attorneys, coworkers and others.
• Handle a large and varied assignment to meet fixed or fluctuating deadlines and to achieve work objectives.
• Coordinate document processing.
• Arrange support services for attorneys.
• Identify and resolve basic problems.

Qualifications

Any combination training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education

• Completion of paralegal, legal secretarial, legal office practices or other law related course work.

Experience

• One (1) year of experience conducting legal research and preparing a variety of legal documents for a governmental entity or a private law firm that included the use of computerized or web-based legal resource systems such as Lexis or Westlaw.

Licenses and Certifications

• Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid driver's license issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles may be required.

Physical Demands

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office and court setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, and to operate a motor vehicle to visit various County and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Standing in and walking between work areas is frequently required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, and reach to perform assigned duties, as well as push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 10 pounds.

Environmental Conditions

Employees work in an office and court environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

ELIGIBILITY FOR EMPLOYMENT

You will be required to submit verification of your identity and citizenship or legal right to work in the United States at the time of and as a condition of an offer of employment.

As a condition of employment, all prospective employees shall be required to be fingerprinted (Live Scan) and/or undergo a background investigation.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Madera County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, national origin, age, disability (physical or mental), medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, political affiliation, or any other basis protected by Federal or State law.