Paralegal

Lee County Public Schools; Fort Lauderdale (FL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The School Board of Broward County, Florida, seeks a paralegal to provide support in the Office of the General Counsel. The role involves assisting attorneys with legal research, case management, and trial preparation, and maintaining both physical and electronic files.

Minimum qualifications include an associate degree in paralegal or related field and four years of litigation experience, or a Florida Bar registered paralegal credential. Preference for school law experience.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in paralegal or related field.
• Four (4) years within the last eight (8) years of litigation experience in a law firm or in-house office.
• May substitute the above with a Florida Bar registered paralegal credential.

Responsibilities

• Assist attorneys in all phases of legal research, background investigations, trial preparations, case management.
• Open and maintain physical and electronic case files and matter files.
• Conduct legal research using computerized databases or references as necessary.
• Prepare and finalize drafts of documents including pleadings, motions, contracts, policies, and other school district documents.
• Support supervision attorneys in pre-litigation and litigation matters, including investigations and discovery.
• Ensure compliance with equal employment and non-discrimination policies.
• Participate in training and review current developments related to responsibilities.
• Follow safety rules and school board policies; perform other duties as assigned.

Job description

POSITION GOAL

Serves as paralegal support for the Office of the General Counsel.

ESSENTIAL PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist attorneys in all phases of legal research, background investigations, trial preparations, case management.
• Open, organize and/or maintain both physical case/matter files and thosemaintained via any electronic case management system(s).
• Conduct legal research through the use of computerized legal research databases or legal reference books or materials as necessary.
• Prepare and finalize drafts of documents including, but not limited to correspondence, pleadings, motions, other court-related documents or filings, contracts, policies, resolutions or other School District documents as directed by the supervising attorney.
• Conduct where appropriate and/or assist the supervising attorney in all phases of pre-litigation and litigation matters including, but not limited to, investigations, document collection and review, discovery, witness coordination and interviews, and hearing/trial preparation. Gather and analyze information.
• Perform and promote all activities in compliance with the equal employment and non-discrimination policies of The School Board of Broward County, Florida.
• Participate in training programs offered to enhance the individual skills and proficiency related to job responsibilities.
• Review current developments, literature and technical sources of information related to job responsibilities.
• Ensure adherence to safety rules and procedures. Follow federal and state, as well as School Board policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor or designee.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• An earned associate’s degree in paralegal or related studies.
• Four (4) years within the last eight (8) years of litigation experience in a law firm or in-house law office.
• May substitute the above education and experience requirements with a current Florida Bar “registered” paralegal credential.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• School law experience (in-house or outside counsel).
• Prior experience with in-house governmental law offices or experience in law firms representing government clients.

SIGNIFICANT CONTACTS-frequency, contact, purpose

Frequently has contact with the General Counsel’s Office attorneys and staff, School Board, as well as Superintendent and administrative staff for the purpose of fulfilling the essential performance responsibilities of the position.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Light work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently as needed to move objects

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Salary and benefits shall be paid consistent with the District's approved compensation plan. Length of the work year and hours of employment shall be those established by the School Board.

LINK TO JOB DESCRIPTION

To review the complete job description for this position access the following website: https://www.browardschools.com/Page/36072 and do a search by Job Code. The Job Code for this position is: EE-040