PARALEGAL

Washtenaw County Health Department; Michigan; On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Washtenaw County Public Defender's Office seeks a paraprofessional to assist attorneys in case preparation, performing legal research and drafting pleadings and correspondence. The role supports investigators and coordinates with witnesses and clients.

The position requires college coursework in legal tech or paralegal studies and three years of related experience in a legal office environment. Confidentiality and organization are essential.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of criminal legal system from arraignment through appeal stages.
• Legal research principles and resources.
• Basic rules of evidence and dealing with security of information.
• Techniques of legal pleading and document writing.
• Computer applications related to the work.

Responsibilities

• Perform basic legal research using Michigan and Federal sources.
• Draft pleadings, briefs, motions, and other legal documents.
• Assist attorneys by gathering background information, discovery responses, and records.
• Interview witnesses and clients per procedures.
• Maintain and upgrade legal resources and library.

Skills

Legal research

Document drafting

Interviews & questioning

Case management

Confidentiality

Education

Two-year college in legal tech/paralegal

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

INTERNAL UNION APPLICANTS WILL BE GIVEN FIRST CONSIDERATION FOR UNION POSITIONS

Under supervision of a higher classified employee, provides paraprofessional legal research and document preparation to attorney in the Office of Public Defender. Research relevant laws and gathers information regarding case circumstances and participants to assist attorneys in case preparation; performs related work as assigned.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Performs basic legal research of statutes, case law, Attorney General opinions, court rules, jury instructions, sentencing guidelines and related documents, utilizing both Michigan State and Federal sources.
• Drafts pleadings, legal briefs, jury instructions, motions, correspondence and other written documentation.
• Assists trial attorneys in preparing cases by collecting background information and evidence, discovery responses, court documents, official records, photographs, correspondence and other documentation in coordination with the public Defender investigator.
• Interviews witnesses, clients, employers, school officials, law enforcement personnel, relatives and others involved with specific cases in person and over the telephone, following established procedures and guidelines.
• Maintains and upgrades the law office legal resources including the library and brief bank; compiles and tracks research and reference materials.
• Assists in the work assignment, training and coordination of interns and volunteers that may be utilized by the department.
• Performs a variety of legal office support work such as maintaining records and files, providing information to others, screening and routing of correspondence and preparing reports related to the work of the department.
• Maintains the highest level of confidentiality in all transitions related to work.
• Operates standard office equipment.
• May be required to drive a personal or County vehicle to various locations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Concepts and terminology related to the criminal legal system, from arraignment through appeal stages.
• Legal research principles, techniques and resources.
• Basic rules of evidence, including security and presentation.
• Techniques of legal pleading, brief and related document writing.
• Computer applications related to the work.
• Case management principles and practices.
• Standard office practices and procedures, including the use of standard office equipment.
• Performing detailed basic legal research.
• Interpreting, applying and explaining laws, regulations, opinions and court decisions.
• Drafting pleadings, briefs and other legal documents.
• Organizing work, setting priorities and meeting critical deadlines.
• Using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Organizing and maintaining accurate files and records.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
• Maintaining the highest level of confidentiality in all transitions related to work.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION

Requires possession of a valid Michigan driver's license

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Duties require sufficient mobility to work in a normal office setting and use standard office equipment including a computer, vision to read printed materials and a computer screen and hearing and speech sufficient to communicate in person or over the telephone.

These requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

EDUCATION

• Equivalent to completion of two (2) years of college with major coursework in legal technology, paralegal studies, or a field related to the work. Completion of four (4) years of college in a similar field is desirable.

EXPERIENCE

• Three (3) years of legal office administrative, secretarial or research experience.

This class description intends to identify the major duties and requirements of the job and should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related duties other than those outlined above and may be required to have specific job-related knowledge for successful job performance.