Paralegal 1/2

State of Louisiana; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Parental Leave

Holidays and Leave

Retirement benefits

Job summary

State of Louisiana’s Department of Public Safety, Public Safety Services, Office of Legal Affairs seeks a proactive paralegal to support a team of attorneys. You will perform legal research, draft briefs and pleadings, manage case documents, and coordinate with witnesses and agencies.

This role requires discretion, accuracy, and professional communication with diverse stakeholders. The position offers standard civil service hours, with formal background checks and eligibility to participate in

Qualifications

• Completion of an ABA-approved Paralegal or Legal Assistant program; OR
• CP certification issued by the NAL Foundation; OR
• A Juris Doctorate.

Responsibilities

• Provide paralegal assistance to a team of attorneys in the Office of Legal Affairs.
• Conduct legal research using Westlaw and other resources and communicate professionally with the public, judiciary, and law enforcement.
• Assist with drafting briefs, memoranda, pleadings, and prepare for hearings or trials.
• Maintain and organize files and reference materials, ensuring confidentiality and proper document handling.
• Support the organization of the OLA’s legal library and electronic file management.

Education

ABA-approved Paralegal or Legal Assistant program

Certified Paralegal (CP) certification

Juris Doctorate

Job description

About This Job

At the Department of Public Safety (DPS), Public Safety Services (PSS), Office of Legal Affairs (OLA), our mission is to empower communities and improve lives by delivering responsive, inclusive, and forward-thinking public services. We are proud to serve the people of Louisiana with integrity, innovation, and a deep commitment to equity.

We’re looking for paralegals to join our legal division – a proactive, people-focused team working to attract and support the talent that drives our mission forward. The paralegal will perform a variety of legal tasks for attorneys/legal advisors in the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Public Safety Services, Office of Legal Affairs.

If you’re passionate about public service and eager to make a meaningful impact, we encourage you to consider this opportunity. We look forward to hearing from candidates who share our values and commitment to the communities we serve.

Minimum Qualifications

• Completion of an approved Paralegal or Legal Assistant program approved by the American Bar Association (ABA), or at an accredited college or university; OR
• Possession of a Certified Paralegal (CP) certification issued by the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc.; OR
• A Juris Doctorate.

Disbarred attorneys and those who have permanently resigned from the practice of law in lieu of discipline may not be hired in any position in connection with the practice of law. Suspended attorneys or an attorney transferred to disability inactive status during the period of suspension may not be hired in any position in connection with the practice of law unless such hiring is first preceded by the submission of a fully executed registration statement to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, on a registration form provided by the Louisiana Disciplinary Board and approved by the Louisiana Supreme Court. See Rule 5.5(e)(1) of the Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct; In Re Davenport, 2021-01371 (La. 11/3/21) and 326 So.3d 882; In re Sharp, 2012- 2463 (La. 1/11/13), 106 So.3d 105. The hiring agency is responsible for conducting the necessary background checks prior to appointment.

Job Duties

• This position provides paralegal assistance to a team of attorneys in OLA, which is managed by an Assistant Secretary, General Counsel, three (3) Deputy General Counsels, one (1) Attorney Supervisor, and currently (7) seven attorneys.
• Conducts legal research on a wide variety of issues and levels using Westlaw, law library, and other legal resources and materials. Communicates verbally by making and receiving phones calls, and in writing via email and formal correspondence, in a professional manner with the public, the judiciary, law enforcement officers, legal professionals and members of Public Safety Services. Assist with accepting services of legal citations and subpoenas for the agency and employees and distributes them properly.
• Works as a second line assistant for composing briefs, memoranda, and other legal correspondence. Assist with drafting pleadings and setting up interviews with potential witnesses and gathering vital information needed in the preparation for hearings and or trials.
• Assist with maintaining files and reference manuals/materials; ensures confidentiality of information, as necessary. Responsible for communicating with the legal staff about the receipt of documents in the office, and may need to deliver and pick up various material if needed.
• Responsible for maintaining the organization of the OLA’s legal library.
• Assist with the creating and maintaining electronic files in the OLA database and assist with the retention and destruction of paper files in the OLA file room.

Position-Specific Details

Appointment Type: Probational, Promotional, And/Or Job Appointment

Career Progression: This position does participate in a Career Progression Group.

Work Schedule: Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday.

Compensation: The salary offered will be determined based on qualifications and experience.

Louisiana is a State as a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.

Contact Information

For further information about this vacancy contact: Joel Sunsin DPS/Human Resources/Human Resources Analyst B 7979 Independence Blvd., Suite 201 Baton Rouge, LA 70896 225-925-6068 [e-mail]

Louisiana State Government represents a wide variety of career options and offers an outstanding opportunity to make a difference through public service. With an array of career opportunities in every major metropolitan center and in many rural areas, state employment provides an outstanding option to begin or continue your career.

As a State Employee, You Will Earn Competitive Pay, Choose From a Variety Of Benefits, And Have Access To a Great Professional Development Program:

Insurance Coverage

More information can be found at https://info.groupbenefits.org/

Parental Leave

Up to six weeks paid parental leave

More information can be found at https://www.civilservice.louisiana.gov/Parental-Leave/Default.aspx

Holidays and Leave

State employees receive the following paid holidays each year:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
• Mardi Gras,
• Good Friday,
• Memorial Day,
• Independence Day,
• Labor Day,
• Veteran's Day,
• Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
• Additional holidays may be proclaimed by the Governor

State employees earn sick and annual leave which can be accumulated and saved for future use. Your accrual rate increases as your years of service increase.

Retirement

State Of Louisiana Employees Are Eligible To Participate In Various Retirement Systems (based On The Type Of Appointment And Agency For Which An Employee Works). These Retirement Systems Provide Retirement Allowances And Other Benefits For State Officers And Employees And Their Beneficiaries. State Retirement Systems May Include (but Are Not Limited To):

• Louisiana State Employees Retirement System (www.lasersonline.org). LASERS has provided this video to give you more detailed information about their system
• Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana (www.trsl.org),
• Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (www.lsers.net), among others