Paralegal 1-2 (Public Records & General Law Unit)

State of Louisiana; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) Legal Section seeks a Paralegal to support the General Law Unit, focusing on public records administration. You will coordinate responses to records requests, review and redact records, and assist with digitization and litigation support.

The role requires attention to detail, organization, and interest in public records law. Applicants should complete an ABA-approved program or hold CP certification or a JD, with background checks

Qualifications

• Completion of ABA-approved Paralegal or Legal Assistant program, or equivalent.
• Possession of CP certification or Juris Doctorate.

Responsibilities

• Process public records requests by identifying, gathering, reviewing, organizing, and producing responsive records.
• Coordinate with DOTD attorneys and staff to locate information and records.
• Review records to redact exempt information before release.
• Research and retrieve records from DOTD information systems and historical archives.
• Assist with digitization of historical DOTD records and indexing.
• Provide litigation support, including drafting documents and assisting with discovery.
• Conduct legal research using Westlaw and other resources.

Education

ABA-approved Paralegal/Legal Assistant program

Certified Paralegal (CP) certification

Juris Doctorate

Job description

Paralegal 1–2 (Public Records & General Law Unit)

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) Legal Section is seeking a Paralegal to support the General Law Unit, with a primary focus on public records administration. This position helps ensure timely and legally compliant responses to public records requests by coordinating the collection, review, redaction, organization, and production of records maintained throughout DOTD.

The selected candidate will work with attorneys and employees across the Department to research and locate responsive records, communicate with requestors, assist with the digitization of historical records, and provide legal research and litigation support as needed. This position is ideal for someone who is detail-oriented, organized, comfortable handling large volumes of information, and interested in public records law and government legal operations. The position description identifies public records work as the primary responsibility of the position, along with records digitization, litigation support, and legal research.

Please visit our DOTD Career Center for more information about our agency: https://dotd.la.gov/about/office-of-management-and-finance/human-resources/career-center/

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.

NOTE: 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.

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Job Duties:

• Process public records requests by identifying, gathering, reviewing, organizing, and producing responsive records in accordance with applicable laws, policies, and statutory deadlines.
• Communicate with public records requestors and coordinate with DOTD attorneys, employees, contractors, and other sources to locate information and records responsive to requests.
• Review records to identify, segregate, and redact information that is exempt from disclosure before records are released.
• Research and retrieve records maintained in DOTD information systems, including electronic records and historical records stored on microfilm.
• Organize and coordinate the production of large-volume records requests and prepare invoices associated with copies of requested records.
• Assist with the digitization of historical DOTD records, including scanning, reviewing, and indexing records in accordance with approved recordkeeping and retention procedures.
• Provide litigation support to attorneys as needed, including legal and factual research, drafting legal documents, assisting with discovery, organizing exhibits, and preparing materials for depositions, hearings, trials, and appeals.
• Conduct legal research using Westlaw and other legal research tools to locate statutes, case law, legal authorities, and other information needed to support the Legal Section.
• Perform special assignments and other duties as necessary, including emergency and disaster support activities.

Position-Specific Details:

Appointment Type: Probational, Promotional, or Job Appointment or Detail to Special Duty.

Career Progression: This position may be filled as a Paralegal 1 or 2. The level at which the vacancy is filled will be determined by the qualifications of the candidate selected.

Compensation: This position is eligible for $2.00 per hour in Premium Pay for hours actually worked.

Contact Information:

For further information about this vacancy, contact:

Melissa Willard

Administrative Program Specialist – Legal

225-242-4667

[e-mail]

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is an equal employment opportunity employer and serves as a model employer for individuals with disabilities. DOTD does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, disability, age, or pregnancy, and prohibits harassment of any type.

Information on the Louisiana Workforce Commission, Louisiana Rehabilitation Services is available: https://www.laworks.net/workforcedev/lrs/lrs_rehabilitation.asp