Paralegal

Unlicensed Practice of Law (UPL) department | Fort Lauderdale, FL branch office

Part-time | 20 hours per week | Minimum starting salary $29,554.80 ($28.43 per hour) | Eligible for certain excellent benefits, including employer paid pension contribution | Employees of The Florida Bar are eligible to apply for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).

Summary function: Provides legal assistance to bar counsel in the investigation and prosecution of unlicensed practice of law cases.

Required minimum education: Completion of an accredited paralegal/legal assistant course of study (proof required at interview). Juris Doctorate will substitute for this education.

Required minimum professional work experience: Four (4) years of paralegal/legal assistant experience or Florida Registered Paralegal, or Certified Legal Assistant, or Juris Doctorate.

Legal writing sample required with resume/application.

Essential duties and responsibilities :

Conducts legal research and analysis on issues and questions of law using Westlaw and the internet, conducts factual and other research using the internet; reads interprets and applies legal authority including but not limited to Rules Regulating the Florida Bar, statutes, judicial decisions, and regulations to TFB case file facts.

Prepares law office memoranda; drafts cease and desist affidavits and letters of advisement citing to applicable legal authority.

Drafts litigation recommendations, petitions for injunctive relief, petitions for indirect criminal contempt, motions, memoranda of law, discovery requests, witness affidavits, agreements, proposed orders, and other legal documents as assigned. Receives reviews and analyzes incoming answers and responses to discovery requests, organizes discovery documents. Calendars and tracks litigation cases. Identifies potential witnesses for trial. Interviews witnesses and prepares memoranda. Reviews sworn testimony transcripts and identifies relevant testimony. Prepares witnesses for court appearances. Prepares and organizes trial exhibits. Assists bar counsel at trial.

Drafts subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum for selected cases at circuit committee level. Reviews and analyzes subpoenaed documents and identifies materials that may be relevant to case. Drafts questions for Respondent's appearance before UPL circuit committee; determines and prepares exhibits to accompany questions. Assists in compiling response to public records requests.

Reviews and analyzes TFB case file information to provide assistance to bar counsel regarding legal questions, or case strategy; identifies legal issues and adequacy of evidence or documentation.

Assigns clerical work to legal secretary to support paralegal duties as needed; assists in clerical and secretarial work when necessary.

Communicates with internal and external contacts and/or entities, such as government entities, to obtain or furnish information.

Works on other special projects related to UPL as assigned.

Required licensure certification(s):

Eligibility for Florida Registered Paralegal status (registration will be expected after employment); or Florida Registered Paralegal; or Certified Paralegal/Legal Assistant.

Knowledge of:

- The Rules Regulating the Florida Bar

- Florida Rules of Court

- Legal terminology and the judicial process

- Legal Research techniques and drafting of pleadings

Skilled in:

- Legal writing

- Legal and analytical communication, both oral and written

- Correct spelling, punctuation and grammar usage

- MS Word and other computer software

- Database input

- Information gathering

- Analyzing both issues of fact and issues of law

- Internet and Westlaw research

Ability to:

- Communicate effectively and professionally, both verbally and in writing

- Think logically and effectively problem solve

- Use initiative and discretion in completing assignments with minimum supervision

- Interpret TFB policies and procedures

- Multi task with ability to organize and prioritize work

- Pay attention to detail

- Manage and maintain a high level of confidentiality

- Demonstrate initiative in group projects and individual settings

- Tactfully manage difficult situations

- Operate well under pressure and in a team atmosphere

- Consistently provide an excellent service-oriented attitude

- Maintain confidentiality

- Travel (occasionally as needed)

- Sit for long periods of time, hear and converse over the telephone, and key/work frequently on a computer

- Lift 5 to 10 lbs.

Please notify HR, in advance, if you need reasonable accommodations to participate in the employment process.

EOE. This organization participates in E-Verify. Position is open until filled. Non-Exempt position.

This position is in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and is not a remote position.