Trial Preparation Assistant, Foil and Civil Litigation Unit

QDAO - Investigate/Admin; New York (NY); On-site; USD 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Queens District Attorney's Office in Kew Gardens, NY is seeking a Trial Preparation Assistant for the FOIL and Civil Litigation Unit. You will support ADAs by managing FOIL requests, subpoenas, and records with precision and discretion.

The role includes redacting records, maintaining software certifications, and occasional travel between locations in a fast-paced legal environment which requires strong communication and multitasking abilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred in Criminal Justice, Paralegal Studies or related field.
• ABA-approved paralegal certificate preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication; ability to multi-task and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Manage a case load of FOIL requests and civil subpoenas, tracking due dates and updating requesters.
• Collect records from physical files and electronic databases, including FOIL responses.
• Analyze FOIL requests and subpoenas; draft determinations, responses, and privilege logs.
• Redact/edit records in Power PDF, Camtasia, and Audacity.
• Maintain knowledge of law enforcement software (Case Tracking, QDocs, CACS, NYPD systems, eJustice, PIMS, DMV, LIMS, MIDAS, MS Office).
• Travel between locations, lift and move boxes as needed.

Skills

Communication

Multitasking

Attention to detail

Follow-up skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice/Paralegal

ABA-approved paralegal certificate

Tools

Power PDF

Camtasia

Audacity

Case Tracking

QDocs

CACS

NYPD Booking System

eJustice

PIMS

DMV

LIMS

MIDAS

Microsoft Office

Job description

• Title: Trial Preparation Assistant, Foil and Civil Litigation Unit


• ID: 1244


• Location: Kew Gardens, NY


• Department: Legal


• Job Type: N/A

Trial Preparation Assistants (TPAs) support the Office's prosecutorial efforts through performing a wide variety of tasks, which may vary in frequency based on bureau assignment. In general, TPAs are responsible for performing tasks required to assist Assistant District Attorneys (ADAs) including obtaining information through various methods, coordinating, and communicating with a wide variety of individuals including the public and staff at varying levels, tracking/managing records for cases and other related duties. The duties and responsibilities listed below include the main tasks and responsibilities of a TPA in the Queens District Attorney's Office FOIL and Civil Litigation Unit. However, all TPAs are expected to perform other related duties as determined by their immediate supervisors, bureau chiefs and QDA executive staff.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Manage a case load of Freedom of Information law (FOIL) requests and civil subpoenas, keeping track of due dates, and updating requesters on the status of a determination or response.


2. Collect and compile records from physical files, electronic data base, and other divisions in the office, searching for records requested under FOIL or responsive to civil subpoenas.


3. Analyze FOIL requests and civil subpoenas from state and federal lawsuits, draft FOIL determinations, responses to subpoenas, FOIL appeals, letters acknowledging FOIL requests or requesting additional time to respond, and privilege logs listing records withheld in response to subpoenas.


4. Redact/edit records in Power PDF, Camtasia, and Audacity.


5. Maintain working knowledge and up-to-date certification where applicable of QDA and other law enforcement computer applications (e.g., Case Tracking, QDocs, CACS, NYPD Booking and Complaint System, eJustice, PIMS, DMV, Back-End Client, LIMS, MIDAS, Microsoft Office, etc.).


6. Travel between locations with/for files and documents in varying weather conditions and lift, carry and move boxes of varying weights, including moving between buildings with equipment such as rolling carts, if needed.

Preferred Education and Qualification Requirements:

Bachelor's Degree preferred in Criminal Justice, Paralegal Studies or related area or equivalent education and/or experience. Preference will be given to candidates with previous experience as a paralegal, legal assistant or in another similar capacity or candidates with an A.B.A. approved paralegal certificate. All candidates must have at least a high school diploma or its educational equivalent.

Trial Preparation Assistants must have excellent written and verbal communication skills, the ability to interact with staff at all levels and to multi-task in a fast-paced environment with competing demands. Strong attention to detail and a proactive approach, including strong follow-up skills, accuracy and the ability to meet deadlines is also required.

Application Information:

Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM

Entry level salary (non-negotiable) is $55,000; upon completion of two years of continuous service, salary: $60,000.

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.