This Paralegal is part of the Legal Clinic in the Law School at Vanderbilt University and is a key individual contributor responsible for provision of legal administrative support to the Vanderbilt Legal Clinic faculty and students, including assisting students with legal formatting and filing procedures, legal research, scheduling meetings and hearings, and preparation of subpoenas and other legal documentation as requested. This position is also responsible for Trial Advocacy Program as primary administrative support for the program, and interpretation/translation for many clinic client meetings. This position reports directly to the Legal Clinic Manager.

This unit operates 7-8 live client legal clinics, the International Practice Lab, 1 practicum, externships, and other clinical legal education opportunities that allow students to learn both the theory and practice of law in context. Clinic students gain real-world legal experience by assuming the role of the lawyer under the expert guidance of members of the law faculty, allowing them to hone their legal skills and delve into particular areas of law. They work with actual clients and on real cases, gaining an understanding of the legal system and its participants and an appreciation of issues of professional responsibility.

Key Functions and Expected Performance: 

Perform legal research using Lexis or other databases and using the United States Patent Trademark Office (USPTO) website, Metro Caselink and Federal PACER databases. (5%)

• Assist with research projects or special projects, which are often of a lengthy, technical, and complex nature.

Provide general administrative support for department. (20%)

• Receive and distribute mail, answer phones, take accurate messages, direct inquiries, screen callers and refer to appropriate agencies. Be knowledgeable of client in-take guidelines and local agencies with which the Clinic networks.
• Handle confidential client records and files, including opening and closing files.
• Draft correspondence for faculty/student attorney signature.
• Maintain client database, student attorney time-keeping records, and general reports for faculty.
• Assist with class materials and preparation (ordering textbooks, preparing classpaks, create seating charts, maintain class materials on Brightspace etc.)
• Perform notary public services.
• Provide instructional support as needed for clinical professors in their teaching roles.
• Assist with creating and organizing yearly clinical newsletter including obtaining submissions, formatting, editing, mailing to and maintaining listservs
• Assist with requesting background checks from Tennessee Bureau of Investigations for clients
• Assist with acquiring copies of records from court clerks

Assist with preparation of legal documents such as motions, orders, pleadings, briefs, discovery, and contract leases. (25%)

• Assist 7-8 clinical faculty members, 1 fellow, and 40-50 students per semester in preparation of legal documents, court forms, correspondence, manuscripts and class materials.
• Prepare pleadings including, but not limited to Motions, Order, Notices, and other court proceedings. Format pleading per the court’s requirements, file with the court, mail to opposing counsel and maintain office copy.
• Review, edit, and format materials before distribution or publication.
• Prepare Table of Contents and Table of Authorities for briefs using Lexis and format briefs to match the courts’ requirements.
• Prepare and format interrogatories and requests for production, collect and organize production from the client. Finalize production for attorneys.

File documents with the courts as necessary. (5%)

• Process appropriate paperwork to complete the filing of documents; file documents with the courts when student attorneys are unavailable.
• File court documents electronically using the TN courts E-filing system.
• Provide guidance to students on formatting legal documents, filing procedures and requirements.

Assist in trial preparation. (5%)

• Schedule meetings and depositions as necessary.
• Schedule interpreters as needed for client preparations.
• Draft letters requesting subpoenas, medical records requests, etc.
• Organize documents for court hearings and depositions

Maintain clinical faculty calendars. (5%)

• Schedule and coordinate meetings, court appearances, filing deadlines, depositions, and witness interviews.
• Schedule faculty meetings and other academic meetings, including but not limited to, Clerkship Meetings, Externship Information Meetings, and Clinical Information
• Meetings using Outlook.
• Coordinate and schedule client meetings with attorneys
• Reserve rooms for meetings throughout the law school as needed using EMS

Primary administrative support to the Trial Advocacy Program. (15%)

• Perform secretarial and administrative duties for approximately 20 adjunct faculty members (who teach Trial Advocacy and Advanced Trial Advocacy) and 60-65 students per academic year
• Assist with class materials and preparation (ordering textbooks, creating class rosters, maintaining class materials on Brightspace, etc.)
• Recruit jurors from various colleges and law schools for mock trials every semester.
• Coordinate with adjunct faculty members to plan and schedule end of semester mock trials
• Arrange parking for guest speakers, mock trial jurors, and guest Judges
• Schedule room reservations for class and events.

Assist clinical faculty members with non-clinical courses (5%)

• Assist with class materials and preparation
• Order textbooks using the Follett Discovery Website
• Prepare classpaks and other materials using Printing Services,
• Create and updating seating charts using seating chart software.
• Create quizzes, assignments, calendars, and maintaining class materials on Brightspace.

Assist non-clinical faculty members with pro-bono immigration cases. (10%)

• Maintain client binders and digital files
• Communicate with the Memphis Immigration Court regarding docket and client hearings
• Utilize the USCIS website for case updates
• Assist with filing and mailing of legal forms
• Work with the Tennessee Language Center for interpreters for all client meetings and translation of documents
• Assist with phone calls to Spanish speaking clients as needed by serving as an interpreter.

Back-up administrative support to the externship program. (5%)

• Perform various other administrative support to program.
• Communicate externship program information to students through Outlook and Brightspace

Supervisory Relationships:

This position does not have supervisory responsibility and reports administratively and functionally to the Legal Clinic Manager.

Qualifications:

• A high school diploma or GED is necessary.
• A Bachelor's degree is preferred.
• A minimum of 3 years' experience in the legal field or relevant industry is necessary.