Paralegal

Travis County; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Travis County Public Defender's Office is seeking a Paralegal I to support attorneys by screening and analyzing client information, connecting clients with resources, and maintaining detailed case notes. You will work under attorney supervision to research, summarize, and prepare materials related to collateral civil matters that affect criminal cases.

Requirements include a Bachelor's degree in Paralegal Studies or related field with two years of paralegal experience or equivalent, and a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Paralegal Studies, Public Administration, Business Administration or a directly related field and two years experience as a paralegal.
• Alternatively, any combination of education and experience equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Paralegal Certificate from a professionally recognized program.

Responsibilities

• Meet with clients to obtain detailed information and records for collateral civil proceedings related to criminal matters.
• Review, screen, and analyze case materials; provide thorough summaries of client needs to team members.
• Routinely update internal case management database with case activity, deadlines and outcomes.
• Under attorney supervision, conduct basic legal research on civil and criminal intersections.
• Identify resources to refer clients for collateral administrative matters and explain related hearings and processes.

Skills

Case management

Legal research

Communication

Legal terminology

Education

Bachelor's degree in Paralegal Studies/related field

2 years paralegal experience

Paralegal Certificate

Tools

Case management software

Microsoft Excel

Job description

The Travis County Public Defender's Office is a comprehensive public defender office envisioned to be client-centered, independent, and innovative to the needs of the Travis County community. Consistent with nationally recognized best practices, the PDO provides high-quality holistic defense representation and other support to its clients. We represent youth in Juvenile Court and adults, including those living with serious mental illness/intellectual or developmental disability, in Criminal Court.

As key part of the interdisciplinary team, paralegals work closely with PDO attorneys to address client needs as they relate to collateral civil proceedings that are impacted by or have an impact on the outcome of the criminal matter. Paralegals screen, review and analyze important client and case-related information to connect clients to resources and organizations that can help them navigate civil legal processes and preserve clients’ access to housing, education, public benefits, healthcare, driver’s or occupational licenses, and/or property.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is the first in a series of two paralegal-related job classifications within the Administrative Support job family. This classification is distinguished from the Paralegal Senior in that incumbents do not supervise other Paralegals or serve as the primary agent in the research and drafting of legal memoranda on substantive and procedural legal topics. Sensitivity to detail and confidentiality. Customer and client contact. This classification may require work in secure facilities.

• Meets with clients to obtain detailed information and records about needs as they relate to collateral civil proceedings that are impacted by or have an impact on the outcome of the criminal matter. Maintains complete and accurate notes related to information discussed with and obtained from clients.
• Reviews, screens, and analyzes case-related materials for assigned cases and provides thorough summary of client needs to other team members.
• Routinely updates internal case management database to reflect ongoing activity on each assigned case, including tracking deadlines and outcomes.
• Under attorney supervision, conducts basic legal research into intersection of civil and criminal law.
• Investigates and identifies resources and organizations to refer clients to for assistance with and/or possible representation in collateral administrative matters. Under supervision of and in consultation with attorneys, assists in helping clients understand administrative hearings and processes and clients’ rights related to those hearings and processes.
• Responds to inquiries from counsel representing PDO clients in related collateral proceedings and, after consulting with client and assigned attorney, may provide limited information regarding status of pending criminal cases.
• May select, train and supervise clerical support staff, including reviewing prepared files and documents.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree in Paralegal Studies, Public Administration, Business Administration or a directly related field AND two (2) years experience as a paralegal;

OR,

Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements

Paralegal Certificate from a professionally recognized Paralegal/Legal Assistant program.

Preferred

• Applications with a cover letter detailing interest in the position, including why you want to work for the Travis County Public Defender’s Office.
• Ability to interview indigent clients to assess their legal and social support needs.
• Understanding of enmeshed penalties and collateral consequences triggered by criminal-legal system contact, including but not limited to, barriers to obtaining or maintaining access to public and/or disability benefits, housing, parental rights, property, education, driver’s, or occupational licenses.
• Ability to fluently speak and write in Spanish.
• Mission-aligned experience (work or lived) advocating on behalf of or supporting people/communities directly impacted by the criminal/immigration/indigent civil legal system.

Knowledge of

• Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations and guidelines.
• Law office management and administration.
• Open meetings laws and Public Information Act.
• Policies, practices, procedures and legal terminology related to Court system.
• Discovery process.
• Current legal trends in the interaction of law and professional ethics.
• Statistical and record keeping applications, including databases and spreadsheets.
• Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.
• May be required to develop knowledge of and adhere to federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information.

Skill in

• Acquiring, maintaining, organizing, analyzing and summarizing case evidence.
• Understanding legal terminology and English grammar.
• Case file examination for documentation accuracy.
• Operating a variety of modern office equipment, including a computer.
• Both verbal and written communication.

Ability to

• Train and supervise clerical and administrative employees.
• Accurately and succinctly summarize legal information.
• Perform legal research.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with County employees and officials, judges, attorneys, Court personnel, other participants in the civil justice system, representatives of outside agencies, and the general public.

The PDO is committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. The PDO strongly encourages candidates of all identities, experiences, abilities and communities to apply. All applicants should be dedicated to working in and sustaining an environment that enables staff and clients to feel empowered, valued, respected, and safe. In considering applicants, the PDO values an applicant's experience and/or thoughtfulness in working with people from communities that experience marginalization.

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 25 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to sitting, client/customer contact, standing, walking, vision to monitor, repetitive motion, stooping/kneeling, squatting, bending, and reaching to perform the essential functions.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

Work Hours: 8 am - 5 pm, Monday-Friday.

Location: 1010 Lavaca St. Austin Texas 78701

Department: Public Defender

Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required.

For updates or questions on this position, contact: [e-mail]

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

The position is anticipated to start as soon as October 12.