Legal Assistant / Paralegal (Law Department - State Misdemeanors)

City of Detroit · United States

LAW DEPARTMENT

LEGAL ASSISTANT PARALEGAL

STATE MISDEMEANORS

Established by the Detroit City Charter, the Law Department is an independent agency that represents the interests of the City of Detroit as a corporate body. The Department is headed by the Corporation Counsel, whose mission is to provide a variety of legal services to the City, its elected officials, departments, agencies, offices, commissions, and boards, as well as its individual employees, in their official capacity.

The position involves supporting attorneys in two courtrooms prosecuting state law misdemeanors. Must be familiar with criminal law, criminal procedure and criminal trials. Keep track of case outcomes in both courtrooms and enter the data into a Smartsheet.

• Be required to manage a variety of digital media formats and software programs.
• Must be familiar with converting audio and video data files to various formats.
• Must have the requisite skills to upload and download data files to servers and other media platforms.
• Performs legal research under the direction of an attorney.
• Gathers information regarding laws, ordinances, regulation, court decisions and similar materials.
• Draft legal documents and correspondence including, but not limited to, briefs, pleadings, opinions, and other legal documents.
• Prepare summaries of research results and conclusions.
• Locates and interviews complainants and witnesses, and research facts to obtain necessary information
• Assist attorneys in conducting discovery by formulating discovery requests and discovery responses.
• Work directly with attorneys and witnesses.
• Locates, collects, organizes, reviews and summarizes documents.
• Prepares histories and chronologies of events or other subject matter.
• Identifies and consults with expert witnesses.
• Assist attorneys in all facets of trials including compilation of witness and trial notebooks and identification and compilation of trial exhibits.
• Prepares oral and written reports, and presentations.
• Maintain and operates computerized databases.
• Provides administrative assistance such as preparation of case statistic reports, case summaries, litigation activity reports and other reports as requested by management.
• Organizes and maintains evidence materials, case and other legal files and records.
• Files pleadings and other legal documents with courts and administrative agencies; efiles documents in all courts
• Assist attorneys in carrying out their assignments.
• Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; and participating in professional organizations.
• Summarizes discovery documents.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Successful completion of an American Bar Association approved paralegal/legal studies programs and three years of work experience as a Legal Assistant.

-OR-

• An Associate degree with a specialization in paralegal studies form an American Bar Association approved institution and two years of work experience as a Legal Assistant.

-OR-

• Bachelors degree with a specialization in paralegal studies, legal studies, or legal administration from an American Bar Association-approved institution, and six months of work experience as a Legal Assistant.

LICENSE, CERTIFICATION AND OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Valid State of Michigan Operator License. Employees in this class will be required to provide and operate a motor vehicle on a reimbursed mileage basis.

EQUIVALENCY

• Equivalent combinations of education and experience that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be evaluated on an individual basis.

• Interview: 70%
• Evaluation of Training, Experience & Personal Qualifications: 30%
• Total of Interview and Evaluation T.E.P: 100%

• Veteran Points: 0 15 points
• Detroit Residency Credit: 15 point

KNOWLEDGE OF

• Research and analysis methods.
  • Legal practices and procedures.
  • Microsoft Office Suites.

SKILL IN:

• Conversion of files of
• digital file formats.
• Interpreting instructions and guidelines to make decisions and take necessary action(s).
• Preparing a variety of legal-related documents.
• Use of technology as a tool to provide support to attorneys

ABILITY TO:

• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Proofread and edit correspondence and legal documents for accurate grammar, spelling, and punctuation usage.
• Identify and solve complex problems.
• Determine work priorities.
• Organize work and establish priorities.
• Assist in establishing client relations.
• Effectively manage time.
• Follow instructions.
• Maintain composure during stressful situations occurring because of workloads and/or deadlines.
• Interact effectively with the public and departmental personnel with tact and diplomacy.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

• Work involves office and field activities.

Candidates considered for placement in this classification may be subject to a Criminal Background Investigation based on the requirements of the position.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to the class. Incumbents may be required to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Specific job duties may vary from position to position. The City of Detroit is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No applicant for employment shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or other criteria prohibited by City, State, or Federal law.