Paralegal (Self-Help Center)

Superior-Court-of-California,-County-of-Monterey; Salinas (CA); On-site; USD 62,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Superior Court of California, County of Monterey seeks a Paralegal in the Self Help Center to assist self-represented litigants with preparing legal documents and navigating procedures.

Under supervision of the Family Law Facilitator and staff attorneys, you will review case histories, perform legal research, prepare orders, and support with a variety of paraprofessional duties and clerical tasks. English/Spanish bilingual skills are highly desirable.

Qualifications

• Paralegal program/certification as required by Education/License section.
• 24 law-related units and compliance with accrediting standards.
• Two years of increasingly responsible legal, court and/or judicial support experience.
• Juris Doctorate degree qualifies for the position.

Responsibilities

• Assist self-represented litigants with form completion.
• Review file history and research statutes/case law.
• Prepare orders after hearings using court forms and software.
• Provide guidance and support to clerical staff and interns.
• Develop and improve office procedures and processes.

Skills

Communication

Customer service

Legal research

Time management

Interpersonal skills

Education

ABA-approved paralegal certificate

Paralegal program with 24 law-related units

Bachelor's or advanced degree with law-related experience

Juris Doctorate

Job description

In order to be eligible for consideration, interested candidates must submit the following documents:

• Court Application
• Proof of completion of an accredited legal paraprofessional training program with possession of a paralegal certificate from a California Paralegal certificate program or, a baccalaureate or advanced degree in accordance with Business & Professions Code 6450, or a Juris Doctorate
• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Responses to the Supplemental Questions.

Preference will be given to candidates who are bilingual in English and Spanish.

Failure to post all required documents will automatically result in being eliminated from the recruitment. After a thorough review, those candidates who best exhibit the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities in their application materials will be invited to continue the recruitment process, which may include:

• On-site Pre-Interview Exercise
• On-site Panel Interview(s)

DEFINITION

Under general supervision of the Family Law Facilitator or other staff attorneys, the Paralegal in the Self Help Center assists Self-Represented litigants in preparing legal documents, identifying necessary legal steps to proceed in the litigant's case, reviewing the litigant's file history, researching and analyzing legal statutes and case law, preparing orders after hearing, assisting with case management duties, answering general legal/procedural questions, assisting the Family Law Facilitator and other staff attorneys with a variety of paraprofessional legal duties and performs other duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This position is responsible for performing assignments requiring a professional understanding of law and legal procedures in a variety of legal fields, but primarily family law, small claims, small civil, probate and unlawful detainer actions. This position does not require membership in the State Bar of California.

Positions in this class may perform any or all of the below listed duties. These should be interpreted as examples of the work and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

1. Assist self-represented litigants from a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds with completion of legal forms.
2. Interview and triage self-represented litigants, assessing their legal problems and determine the appropriate next steps.
3. Identify non-routine cases and ask for specific direction from supervising attorney; Prepare papers in accordance with those directions.
4. Explain legal procedure and process to self-represented litigants one-on-one and in group/workshop settings.
5. Prepare orders after hearings conforming to clerk's minutes using legal forms, and a variety of legal software programs, as well as the court's case management system.
6. Assist the Family Law Facilitator and other staff attorneys with a variety of paraprofessional legal duties.
7. Make phone calls, gather materials, conduct internet research; prepare forms and flyers.
8. Research and analyze statutes, legislation and case law.
9. Write reports, collect and analyze data needed for legal or administrative matters.
10. Provide guidance to clerical staff and interns.
11. Develop office procedures and processes.
12. Other duties as assigned.

Education/License/Certificates

1. A certificate of completion of a paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association

OR

2. A certificate of completion of a paralegal program at, or a degree from, a postsecondary institution that requires the successful completion of a minimum of twenty-four (24) semester, or equivalent, units in law-related courses and that has been accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization or approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education

OR

3. A baccalaureate degree or an advanced degree in any subject, a minimum of one year of law-related experience under the supervision of an attorney in accordance with the Business & Professions Code section 6450 (Section 6450(c) (3) and (c) (4). AND Two (2) years of increasingly responsible legal, court and/or judicial support experience that includes researching legal issues and drafting legal documents.

OR

4. A Juris Doctorate Degree

English/Spanish bilingual skills are highly desirable for this position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of

• Principles and practices of civil, criminal and administrative law applicable to practice as a paralegal
• Rules, statutes, and case authority applicable to areas of law served by the unit to which the paralegal is assigned, including but not limited to parentage, family law, child and spousal support, guardianship, unlawful detainers, and small claims
• California court procedures, rules of evidence and burden-of-proof issues
• Principles, practices and techniques of legal research and writing
• Methods and techniques of effective interviewing
• Methods and techniques of legal research and investigation
• Legal forms and the content required for filing cases, including, but not limited to, family law, small claims, landlord-tenant and guardianship
• Standard business software and specialized legal software and programs
• Correct English usage including spelling, grammar and punctuation; practices of legal communication
• Effective customer service practices and techniques

Skill and Ability to

• Effectively communicate in writing, in person and on the telephone with pro-per litigants and other agencies
• Provide exceptional customer service
• Learn and develop skills prioritizing, maintaining and coordinating a heavy workload
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with Court staff attorneys, officers of the Court, judicial system employees, litigants and the public
• Conduct legal research using legal databases and books and analyze factual and legal claims and issues
• Draft a wide variety of legal documents competently, ensuring that they meet all legal requirements and deadlines
• Present statements of fact, law and basic arguments clearly, logically and concisely
• Use interviewing skills to obtain accurate, useful information from Court customers to identify their problems/needs and develop appropriate support measures
• Understand, interpret, communicate and apply specialized and complicated legal information and procedures applicable to the assignment
• Operate a computer and use specialized legal software/programs, as well as standard business software
• Stay up to date on new/developing laws, forms and legal information relevant to the assignment
• Manage multiple tasks, set priorities and meet deadlines
• Exercise confidentiality and use tact, diplomacy and compassion when dealing with customers' personal issues and confidential situations
• Maintain neutrality as a court employee in all dealings with the public