Paralegal (General Government)

Union County; Monroe (NC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Union County is seeking a Paralegal to support attorneys with drafting and reviewing contracts, memoranda, pleadings, and court filings. The role emphasizes managing county contracts and legal documents under tight deadlines.

You will research laws, prepare legal correspondence, and assist with court filings and records, including electronic filing and Notary duties. A valid driver's license and Notary status are required or obtainable within the first year.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with 3 years' legal office experience.
• Experience in contract review, drafting, filings, or litigation support.
• Ability to manage deadlines and respond to changing priorities.
• Valid driver's license and safe driving history.
• Notary public certification or ability to obtain within first year.

Responsibilities

• Draft, edit, and review contracts and legal documents for attorneys.
• Prepare court filings and manage electronic filing.
• Research laws, regulations, and supporting case law.
• Maintain deadlines and organize court calendars and subpoenas.
• Assist in managing office budgets and administrative matters.
• Serve and record documents with the Register of Deeds.

Skills

Drafting

Legal research

Time management

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma or GED

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Paralegal certification

Notary public

Job description

The Paralegal, under general supervision of a North Carolina licensed attorney, provides legal assistance to the attorneys in drafting and reviewing legal documents to include contracts, legal memoranda, pleadings, and court filings. Spends a significant amount of time reviewing and drafting County contracts and other forms of agreement. Must have the ability to manage workflow and work under tight deadlines and other time constraints while responding to competing and shifting priorities.

Drafts, edits, and reviews court documents, legal motions or pleadings, correspondence, and complex legal documents with substantive and detailed knowledge of legal procedures, legal terms, and legal rights and responsibilities.

Drafts and prepares contracts, negotiates changes, and prepares related correspondence.

Drafts and/or reviews for attorney review: legal memoranda, ordinances, resolutions, and other documents as assigned.

Researches applicable laws, regulations, sources, citations, supporting case law, courthouse and Register of Deeds records.

Completes necessary court filings, including the use of electronic court filing systems.

Maintains with careful accuracy deadlines and due dates for court pleadings, court dates, subpoenas, projects, memoranda, and other legal and office matters to ensure adequate preparation and compliance.

Collects, collates, and prepares responses to subpoenas and other discovery for attorney review.

Ensures proper service of court filings.

Records documents with Register of Deeds.

Assists in reviewing documentation related to public records request responses.

May assist in managing office budget, legal resources, legal records, and other administrative matters.

Maintains documents in accordance with the document retention and disposition schedules as defined pursuant to North Carolina law; delegates administrative duties to a Legal Secretary as necessary.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

POSITION SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS:

General Government

Reviews and researches building code, zoning, property records, easements, condemnation proceedings, appraisals, and health violations and applicable laws and regulations.

Drafts, edits, and reviews notice of violation letters.

Tracks violation matters and prepares data for internal status meetings.

Tracks bankruptcy matters and prepares related internal notifications.

Tracks court appearance and docket schedules, maintains and organizes legal filings and court books.

Drafts and tracks litigation hold notices.

Assists attorneys in preparing for hearings and trials.

Prepares draft discovery and document production requests and responses.

Monitors County Attorney’s Office mailbox at the Union County Judicial Center.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

High school diploma or an acceptable equivalency diploma (GED), and three (3) years of relevant experience in a law office or similar environment supporting areas of legal practice such as contract review, drafting and editing legal documents, litigation support, or law office administrative support.

Licenses or Certifications:

Must have a valid Driver's License and be able to maintain a safe driving history as defined by the Union County Vehicle Use Policy.

Certified North Carolina Notary Public or the ability to obtain within the first year of employment.

Special Requirements:

This position may be subject to a fingerprint background check. Per NC General Statute 153A-94.2(b), applicants for a position of employment required to work with children in any capacity will be required to electronically submit fingerprints to the NC State Bureau of Investigation for a state and national criminal history record.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or five (5) years of experience supporting attorneys in a law office environment.

Licenses or Certifications:

Certification equivalent to Paralegal.

Certified North Carolina Notary Public.

Must have a valid Driver's License and be able to maintain a safe driving history as defined by the Union County Vehicle Use Policy.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must be physically able to operate standard office equipment such as computers, printers, copiers, fax machines, scanners, CD Rom, calculators, programmable telephones, postage machines, etc. Must be physically able to operate a motor vehicle. Must be able to exert a negligible amount of force to move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a safe and secure work environment that may periodically have unpredictable requirements or demands.