Paralegal 1 (26988)

Law Offices Of The Public Defender; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Law Offices Of The Public Defender is seeking an assistant to support attorneys in Albuquerque, NM. The role focuses on researching legal precedents, organizing case files, drafting legal documents, and communicating with clients, courts, and staff.

It involves handling case openings, tracking through closure, and coordinating hearings and filings. Candidates should bring a high school diploma or GED and at least two years of relevant experience in legal drafting or research, plus a valid

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; two years of legal drafting and research experience preferred.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Employment eligibility to work in the U.S. is required; visa sponsorship is not offered.

Responsibilities

• Drafts and prepares legal correspondence for attorneys and coordinates administrative support.
• Opens and manages cases through closure and maintains an up-to-date case management system.
• Keeps accurate files of correspondence and materials related to cases.
• Communicates case status and legal processes to clients.
• Schedules court hearings and appointments.
• Researches statutes, decisions, legal articles, and codes to support case preparation.

Skills

Legal research

Case management

Drafting legal documents

Client communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Case management software

Job description

The objective summary of this job classification is to assist attorneys by researching legal precedent, investigating facts or preparing legal documents. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense or to initiate legal action.

For more information about living in Albuquerque, New Mexico, click here.

Essential Functions:

• Drafts and prepares legal correspondence for attorneys. Coordinates administrative support activities.
• Opens and manages cases through closure. Maintains up-to-date case management/tracking system.
• Keeps accurate files of correspondence and materials relating to cases.
• Conveys information to clients regarding the status of cases and the legal process.
• Schedules court hearings and appointments.
• Deals with the public, and serves as a contact between LOPD and all court staff, district attorneys and law enforcement personnel.
• Researches law sources such as statutes, recorded judicial decisions, legal articles, constitutions, and legal codes to prepare case accordingly.
• Prepares dockets and prints necessary documents, such as summons, grand jury indictments, and supplemental criminal information.
• May draft legal instruments, motions, pleadings, appeals, docketing statements correspondence, release and agreements.
• This classification may be required to report to a judicial partner's building or office. Which may include Courthouses, District Attorney Offices, Detention Centers and/or Correctional Facilities. To perform the essential functions an incumbent in this classification may be required to successfully complete a 3rd party background check conducted by a judicial partner.
• Performs related and other duties as assigned.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

High school diploma or GED and two (2) years of work experience drafting and preparing legal correspondence, conducting legal research and maintaining a case management/tracking system. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling two (2) years may substitute for the required education and experience.

Must possess and maintain a valid driver's License.

Employment eligibility to work with the Law Offices of the Public Defender (LOPD) in the U.S. is required. We are not able to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.

Collective Bargaining:

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to.

Default FLSA: Non-exempt:

In accordance with DOL FLSA and LOPD NMAC and LOPD's Compensation Agreement that is signed upon hire during onboarding classifications identified as non-exempt may be compensated for all authorized hours (subject to approval from a supervisor) worked over 40 hours in a work week (begins on Saturday). These classifications may decline overtime. LOPD compensates with compensatory time (paid time off accrued) at a 1.5x rate in lieu of cash payments, if they request to work extra hours in advance and get approval from their supervisor. These classifications are not eligible for cash payments for extra hours worked. Compensatory time may be paid out upon leaving the department depending on budget availability.

The Law Offices of the Public Defender is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis on race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, spousal affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, political affiliation or religion, mental or physical disability, or serious medical condition.

This job advertisement may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

Preference may be given to multilingual applicants fluent in English and other languages.