PARALEGAL ASSISTANT (PROVISIONAL)

City of Buffalo; New York (NY); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Buffalo is seeking a Paralegal Assistant to support research, case preparation and the presentation of cases in court or administrative hearings. The role applies limited legal procedures under attorney supervision and involves compiling and analyzing information for case work.

The position requires formal paralegal education pathways or equivalent experience in legal research, with the ability to liaise between departments and the public.

Qualifications

• JD or enrolled law student with recognized standing.
• Experience in legal research and interpretation of statutes.
• Bachelor or Associate degree with paralegal certification and/or legal research experience.
• Ability to prepare briefs, affidavits and memoranda for court/administrative hearings.
• Familiarity with court procedures and document preparation.
• Ability to work independently with good judgment and initiative.

Responsibilities

• Researches statutory and case law, administrative rules, regulations and policies to determine applicability.
• Compiles and analyzes information gathered and makes recommendations relative to actions to be taken.
• Assists in the preparation of legal briefs, affidavits, memorandum and other documents for use and presentation in a court of law or in an administrative hearing.
• Assembles exhibits, legal documents etc., and collects any additional information which is needed.
• Serves papers and assists in presentation of case.
• Follows through on court or administrative decisions to ensure they are implemented.
• Assists in the interpretation of court and administrative decisions.
• Compiles, verifies and analyzes data and pertinent information in relation to matters under discussion.
• Reviews a variety of legal documents for completeness and accuracy.
• Performs investigative work; conducts interviews and answers correspondence.
• Takes complaints, determines status of cases and responds to inquiries.
• Maintains statistical data and prepares reports for presentation to court or hearings.
• Acts as a liaison between assigned department, outside agencies and general public.
• Performs related work as required.

Skills

Legal research

Legal terminology

Court procedures

Statutory interpretation

Oral and written communication

Independent work

Education

Juris Doctorate

Law student (1 year completed)

Bachelor's + Paralegal Certificate

Bachelor's + 3 years legal research

Associate's + Paralegal Certificate + 3 years

Associate's + Paralegal Certificate + 2 years

Job description

The Paralegal Assistant is responsible for performing a variety of tasks that, while not requiring the skills of an attorney, nevertheless entails the application of limited legal procedures. The Paralegal provides assistance in areas of research, compiling and analyzing information, case preparation, presentation of cases in court or administrative hearings.

Responsibilities

• Researches statutory and case law, administrative rules, regulations and policies to determine applicability;


• compiles and analyzes information gathered and makes recommendations relative to actions to be taken;


• Assists in the preparation of legal briefs, affidavits, memorandum and other documents for use and presentation in a court of law or in an administrative hearing;


• assembles exhibits, legal documents etc., and collects any additional information which is needed;


• serves papers and assists in presentation of case;


• Follows through on court or administrative decisions to ensure they are implemented;


• assists in the interpretation of court and administrative decisions;


• Compiles, verifies and analyzes data and pertinent information in relation to matters under discussion;


• Reviews a variety of legal documents for completeness and accuracy;


• Performs investigative work;


• Conducts interviews and answers correspondence;


• takes complaints, determines status of cases and responds to inquiries;


• Maintains statistical data and prepares reports for presentation to court or hearings;


• Acts as a liaison between assigned department, outside agencies and general public;


• Performs related work as required.

Qualifications

• (A) Juris Doctorate from a Law School of recognized standing;


• (B) A registered student in a Law School of recognized standing and completion of one year of schooling in Law School (verification must be presented at time of filing application);


• (C) Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university (any major) PLUS a Certificate of Completion in Paralegal Studies or Legal Assistant Program;


• (D) Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university (any major) and three years of full-time experience in work involving legal research;


• (E) Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in Paralegal Studies or Legal Assistant Program and three years' experience of full-time experience in work involving legal research;


• (F) Associate's degree from an accredited college or university (any major) PLUS a Certificate of Completion in Paralegal Studies or Legal Assistant Program and two years of full-time experience in work involving legal research;

THE CITY OF BUFFALO IS AN EQUAL OPPORUNITY EMPLOYER

Knowledge and Skills

• Good knowledge of legal research procedures and resources;


• Good knowledge of legal terminology, documents and forms;


• Working knowledge of court and administrative hearing procedures;


• Ability to interpret statutory and administrative law, regulations and court decisions;


• Ability to set forth positions clearly and concisely in oral and written form;


• Ability to prepare effective correspondence;


• Ability to deal tactfully and effectively with State and local officials, departmental staff, clients and their representatives and the general public;


• Ability to work without direct supervision;


• Initiative; good judgment;


• Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

Unacceptable Education and Work Experience

Legal Secretarial, Lawyers Assistant or any work experience involving legal secretarial work.

Note: Verifiable part-time experience will be pro-rated to meet full-time experience requirements.