Paralegal

Commonwealth of Massachusetts; Natick (MA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Commonwealth of Massachusetts is seeking a Paralegal Specialist to provide legal assistance to counsels, conduct legal research, and prepare a variety of legal documents for parole hearings and related proceedings.

Responsibilities include handling discovery, drafting records of decision, and assisting with policy development while ensuring proper communication with attorneys and relevant parties under supervision.

Qualifications

• Two years of full-time paraprofessional experience in legal research or legal assistant work.
• Any equivalent combination of required experience and substitutions may be accepted.

Responsibilities

• Assist counsel with litigation by receiving, reviewing, and tracking complaints, maintaining timelines, and preparing legal documents.
• Assist counsel with preparing and producing discovery for parole hearings by receiving and tracking discovery requests from attorneys and coordinating with relevant units.
• Assist General Counsel in communicating with attorneys for individuals before the Board by handling emails and calls under supervision.
• Draft legal documents, including Parole Board records of decision, reflecting Board votes and decisions to relevant parties.
• Assist counsel with advising the Parole Board by reviewing requests for advice, drafting memoranda, and maintaining a memo-bank of previous materials.
• Assist counsel in drafting policies, procedures, and regulations by maintaining a policy database and tracking system.

Skills

Legal research

Paralegal support

Document preparation

Litigation support

Education

Associate degree in paralegal studies

Job description

An Official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

General Statement of Duties and Responsibilities

Incumbents in this position are responsible for providing legal assistance to counsels. Research and analyze law sources; prepare legal documents including records of Parole Board decisions; prepare cases for trials or administrative hearings; analyze proposed legislation; prepare and produce discovery for parole hearings; prepare official Board documentation related to hearings; communicate on behalf of counsel with attorneys representing individuals having business before the Board; respond to inquiries concerning formal interpretation of agency laws, rules and regulations, and perform related work as required.

Detailed Statement of Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist counsel with litigation by receiving, reviewing, and tracking complaints, maintaining timelines, and preparing legal documents, including legal motions and official records of Board decisions. Collect and prepare materials for an administrative record on appeal.
• Assist counsel with preparing and producing discovery for parole hearings by receiving and tracking discovery requests from attorneys representing incarcerated individuals and communicating with those attorneys; reviewing materials prepared by the life sentence unit; coordinating with the life sentence unit and the legal unit; appropriately redacting and withholding confidential or protected material, and producing appropriate materials to attorneys with matters before the Parole Board;
• Assist General Counsel in communicating with attorneys for individuals with matters before the Board by receiving and responding to emails and phone calls under the supervision of the General Counsel.
• Assist counsel with drafting legal documents, including Parole Board records of decision by reviewing Parole Board votes and materials, drafting official documents which accurately reflect the Board’s decision, and communicating those decisions to the relevant parties under the supervision of counsel.
• Assist counsel with advising the Parole Board and Parole Board staff by reviewing requests for advice, drafting and editing memoranda and other documents, and communicating that advice. Create and maintain a memo-bank collecting previous memoranda and other similar materials.
• Assist counsel in drafting policies, procedures, and regulations by maintaining a policy database and policy amendment tracking system.

Qualifications

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) two years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, paraprofessional experience in legal research or legal assistant work, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

• I. An Associate’s or higher degree with a major in paralegal studies may be substituted for the required experience.
• II. Completion of one year of study at a recognized, degree‑granting law school may be substituted for the required experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Based on assignment, possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's License may be required.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

Equal Opportunity / Affiliation

An Equal Opportunity / Affiliation Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

Official Title

Paralegal Specialist

Contact for Diversity and Reasonable Accommodation

If you have Diversity, Affinity, or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator: Debra L. Tata - 5086504553