Paralegal

Under limited supervision, provides accurate and reliable support to the Office of the City Attorney. Provides advanced legal support to one or more attorneys including, but not limited to, preparation of subpoenas, correspondence, orders, and other legal documents. Requests and researches various data, information files, etc. from local, state, and federal agencies. Work involves organizing and maintaining litigation case files, assisting with bankruptcy matters, compiling and coordinating information related to grievance hearings, processing Service of Process through the Secretary of the Commonwealth, and drafting legal  documents. Reports to the Paralegal Administrator.

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To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.Â

• Examines documents by proofreading for errors in spelling, punctuation, formatting and grammar.
• Types, prepares, or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, legal documents, pleadings, and other documents of a sensitive/confidential  nature.
• Compiles information for reports, documents, and correspondence and coordinates copy preparation. Creates, organizes, and maintains civil files and file binders, including sorting and organizing documents to be filed; filing documents in designated order; ensures filing methods (including file retention and destruction) are in accordance with departmental procedures and the Virginia Records Retention Act of the Code of Virginia.
• Drafts various legal documents including correspondence, memos, subpoenas, orders, pleadings and cover sheets for filing civil actions.
• Ensures timely filing of legal documents including notices, motions, orders, petitions, deeds, etc., with various state and federal Courts, including but not limited to The Supreme Court of Virginia, Court of Appeals of Virginia, Circuit Courts, Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts, General District Courts, and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
• Prepares, mails, and/or delivers correspondence to various City department and third parties; responsible for timely preparation of overnight mail, priority mail, and certified mail.
• Requests title searches from title companies and prepares the title search results packet for local departments.
• Receives, updates, and maintains supplements to numerous state and city codes, regulatory, form and other law books and miscellaneous research materials within the office; ensures all such subscriptions are current.
• Performs legal research, including, but not limited to statutory and case law, research of court records and prior City Council actions, real estate and tax records; real estate title searches; prepares appropriate documents reporting findings of same.
• Prepares and maintains the General Report to City Council, which documents the status of all litigation matters.
• Keeps attorneys informed of significant matters, messages, documentation, or other information, editing, or proofreading correspondence of a sensitive/confidential nature.
• Maintains litigation calendar and schedules meetings, appointments, or other activities, schedules meetings and conferences with regard to litigation matters for the assigned attorney.
• Gathers and organizes information for meetings and hearings.
• Assists in answering the telephone and greeting visitors; receives inquiries and provides information or referral of inquiries to appropriate personnel.
• Assists other departmental personnel as necessary.
• Performs other related duties as required.
  
  

Associate's Degree in Legal Services, Paralegal, or closely related field and 2 - 3 years paralegal, clerical administrative or closely related experience in a law office or department, preferably in a local government; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Requires Paralegal Certificate by a national paralegal certification organization. Requires Notary Public designation within six months of employment. Requires a valid driver's license.

• Knowledge of City and departmental rules, regulations, policies and procedures, and the ability to interpret them.
• Knowledge of the organization and functions of the department.
• Knowledge of modern office practices and procedures including knowledge of popular computer-driven word processing, spreadsheet, and file maintenance programs.
• Knowledge of legal terminology.
• Ability to maintain complex legal records.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to draft legal documents.
• Ability to develop and modify work procedures, methods and processes to improve efficiency.
• Ability to compile data from a variety of sources and prepare clear reports from such information.
• Ability to effectively express ideas orally and in writing.
• Ability to exercise tact and courtesy in frequent contact with City employees, City officials, professionals, and the general public.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
• Ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
• Ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving assignments and/or directions from supervisors.
• Ability to read a variety of informational and legal documents, City and state codes, law books, etc.
• Ability to prepare correspondence, memorandum, opinions, contracts, notices, petitions, etc.
• Ability to speak with poise, voice control and confidence, and to articulate information to others.
• Ability to plan work and develop procedures; to learn and/or evaluate complex information in order to make judgments and decisions.
• Ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages including legal and municipal terminology.
• Ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract; multiply and divide; utilize decimals and percentages.
• Ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.