Paralegal

Position Purpose/Summary

Essential Functions

• Drafts various discovery documents and prepares responses from the City to the plaintiff. Analyzes returned documents and maintains litigation case files.
• Prepares various draft motions, notices, releases, authorizations, answers and other documents that need to be filed in court.
• Coordinates depositions, pre-deposition, pre-trial consolations and fact finding meetings for City Attorneys.
• Maintains schedules for attorneys and coordinates appearances in City cases. Manages document creation and filing for Attorneys.
• Coordinates and/or process subpoenas for records and attendance of employees at court proceedings.
• Provides notary service for various City departments. Supports all Attorneys as needed on non-litigation matters.
• Assists in the drafting and preparation of contracts, opinions, and other legal documents for the Law Department as assigned.
• Supports all Attorneys as needed on non-litigation matters.
• Tracks, responds to and maintains a log of public records requests.
• Makes preliminary determination as to the most likely municipal records custodian, communicating with records custodians, arranging for the production of such records to the Law Department, makes preliminary review of such records as to appropriate exemptions to the public records law which may be applicable.
• Coordinates the production of the response to any such request by drafting correspondence, redacting, copying, scanning and producing the response in coordination with Law Department staff and municipal departments in a timely fashion, in compliance with legal mandates.
• Tracks and maintains a log of contracts being drafted and completed.
• Assists legal staff in performing legal research and organizing files.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of the Massachusetts legal process and City of Springfield General Ordinances.
• Working knowledge of federal and Massachusetts general laws, rules of civil procedure, rules of court and rules of appellate procedure.
• Working knowledge of the principles, methods, materials, and practices of legal research and investigation.
• Ability to analyze and assist in the preparation of legal documents and instruments.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, municipal officials, and the general public.
• Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma or equivalent required; Paralegal certificate preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years of prior paralegal, legal secretary, administrative or clerical work.

NOTICE: The following benefits are contingent upon hours worked and bargaining vs. non-bargaining agreements.

Medical/Dental/ Vision
75% City Subsidized
All health insurance plans include Dental and Vision

Retirement
Available to employees working 20 hours per week

Paid Vacation
Earned vacation time can be taken after 6 months of service. Earned time is accrued.

Paid Holidays
All City employees receive 11 paid holidays per year.

Paid Sick Time
Full time employees are immediately eligible to begin accruing 1 1/4 days per month which can be taken after 6 months of service. Supplemental Long Term and Short disability coverage is available to employees at the employee cost.

Paid Personal Days
Use up to 3 of your accrued sick days as Personal days. Personal days cannot be rolled over into the next calendar year.

Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
A means for eligible employees to balance work and family responsibilities by taking unpaid leave for authorized reasons.

Training
On the job and instructor led courses available

Employee Assistance Program
Free, confidential and personal assistance to employees and their families to resolve issues that affect their personal lives as well as job performance.

Direct Deposit
Easy, convenient, and free!