Paralegal Specialist (Seasonal)

City of Atlantic City, NJ; Atlantic City (NJ); On-site; USD 54,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Atlantic City, NJ is seeking a Paralegal/Legal Assistant to support case preparation, legal research, and document drafting. The role includes gathering facts, interviewing clients and witnesses, summarizing depositions, and assisting attorneys in court.

The position requires an Associate degree in Paralegal Studies or related field, with JD substitution allowed in certain cases. Experience with drafting legal documents is preferred.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college with an Associate's degree in Legal Assistant or Paralegal Studies; JD may substitute.
• Two years of experience in drafting contracts, briefs, motions, affidavits, or other legal documents preferred.
• Knowledge of laws, precedents, and regulations relevant to case preparation.

Responsibilities

• Gather facts relevant to cases in preparation for trial.
• Conduct legal research to identify laws, precedents, and case material.
• Prepare drafts of legal documents and affidavits; assist attorneys during hearings.
• Organize and maintain reference files; collect and analyze evidence for hearings.
• Interview clients and witnesses; summarize depositions and testimony for review.
• Attend court sessions and assist with case file organization.

Skills

Legal research

Case preparation

Document drafting

Client interview

Witness interview

Court attendance

Evidence organization

Education

Associate's degree in Legal Assistant/Paralegal Studies

JD substitution allowed per rule

Job description

Under direction, assists in the preparation of cases for legal action, conducts assigned legal research, gathers factual information, and assists in the preparation of legal documents; does other related duties.

• Gathering all relevant facts pertaining to the case in preparation for trial.
• Conducts legal research to identify laws, judicial decisions, legal precedents, and other relevant case material and prepares report of findings.
• Prepares drafts of legal arguments and various legal documents, obtains affidavits, and assists the attorney during trial or hearing.
• Organizes and maintains reference files, collects and analyzes evidence for hearings, and prepares informative or explanatory material on relevant laws, and agency regulation and policy.
• Researches and analyzes law sources such as statutes, recorded judicial decisions, legal articles, constitutions, and legal codes to prepare drafts of legal documents such as briefs, pleadings, appeals, and contracts for the review, approval, and use by attorney.
• Obtains documents from appropriate sources.
• Prepares reports, findings, surveys, and recommendations to assist members of the legal staff.
• Provides technical assistance.
• Reviews and answers correspondence.
• Reviews brief format prior to court submission.
• May schedule cases for attorneys and assemble data and information required for preparation of court cases.
• Interviews clients.
• Locates and interviews witnesses.
• Drafts correspondence and pleadings.
• Summarizes depositions, interrogatories, and testimony for review.
• Examines case files and records; determines issues and sufficiency of evidence or documentation.
• Briefs attorneys prior to a hearing or court appearance, assembles and arranges case files, documents, and exhibits.
• Attends court sessions or hearings.
• Establishes and maintains records and files.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate's degree as a Legal Assistant or in Paralegal Studies, or an Associate or Bachelor's Degree and a Certificate of Proficiency in Paralegal Studies.
• NOTE: A Juris Doctorate (JD) degree may be substituted for the above education.
• NOTE: Rule 1:20-20(a) prohibits attorneys that have been disbarred, resigned with prejudice, transferred to disability-inactive status, or is under suspension from the practice of law in this or any other jurisdiction from being employed as paralegals/legal assistants in the State of New Jersey.
• NOTE: Two (2) years of experience in the preparation of drafts of contracts, briefs, motions, affidavits, or other legal documents and/or experience in the analysis of judicial decisions, legal opinions, rulings, memoranda, and other legal material, and the preparation of summaries of the points of law involved, may be substituted for the above education requirement.