CONTRACT LEGAL ASSISTANT - GANG UNIT

Posting Date: 10/9/24

Closing Date: 10/25/24

Submission: Email resume to: guadalupe.mancia@montgomerycountymd.gov

(will not accept applications through LinkedIn

START DATE & HOURS:

Monday, November 18, 2024 – June 30, 2025

8:30 am – 5 pm Monday through Friday

5 days of unpaid leave and unpaid days off for the following public holidays:

Thanksgiving Day - Thursday, November 28, 2024

American Indian Heritage Day - Friday November 29, 2024

Christmas Day - Wednesday, December 25, 2024

New Year's Day - Wednesday, January 1, 2025

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday - Monday, January 20, 2025

Presidents' Day - Monday, February 17, 2025

Memorial Day - Monday, May 26, 2025

Juneteenth National Independence Day - Thursday, June 19, 2025

*Potential for contract extension.

PAY: $40/hour

POSTION:

The State’s Attorney’s Office Gang Division for Montgomery County, Maryland, is seeking a talented, driven, and customer-oriented individual to join our team. The Legal Assistant will support the work of Assistant State’s Attorneys in the Gang Unit by conducting substantive legal research and writing, managing cases throughout their complete lifecycle, and performing analysis of the criminal law and procedure and courtroom support. Contacts are generally with attorneys, witnesses, law enforcement, County employees, Information Technology and Discovery Specialists, and Federal and State legal staff. This position reports directly to the Chief of the Gang Division.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Performs thorough substantive legal research and analysis into applicable legislative history, case precedents, legal decisions and opinions to evaluate and summarize relevant substantive information.

• Organize research information into well-written analytical documents, including preparing legal memoranda, motions and orders, and legal correspondence.

• Review and organize complex factual material and other documentary data for investigations and trials.

• Create and manage physical and electronic case files for complex cases with voluminous physical and digital discovery and evidence.

• Collect and organize documents, reports, and correspondence as well as prepare a wide variety of legal documents.

• Review police body-worn and in-car video and audio files and mobile phone data dumps; scan various documents and pictures, police reports, police interviews, statements, and various reports from a multitude of backend and internet-based systems into the State’s Attorney’s Case Management System (PBK) for the attorneys.

• Prepare and conduct interviews and obtain responses from witnesses/defendants relative to discovery.

• Coordinate meetings with witnesses, victims, law enforcement, and other attorneys.

• Prepare and present digital evidence and exhibits at trial using Microsoft PowerPoint, OneDrive, and/or Excel.

• Perform related duties as required

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of substantive and procedural criminal law.

• Knowledge of legal research using Westlaw, to include knowledge of and the ability to use legal reference sources, automated and manual reference systems, sufficient to perform extensive and thorough legal research into applicable legislative history, court decisions, case precedents, and legal opinions that may be applicable.

• Knowledge of legal terminology, legal communication, documentation, standards, and conventions.

• Knowledge of rules of evidence, and the skills necessary to evaluate the adequacy and/or admissibility of evidence.

• Skilled in Microsoft Windows, Office 365, Adobe Pro, and using various Internet search engines for conducting legal and non-legal research.

• Computer competency, social media competency, and the ability to process digital forensic evidence.

• Ability to assist in case preparation and insure information is lawfully released or withheld.

• Ability to perform legal review, and investigative and research work.

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in presenting ideas orally and in written form.

• Ability to follow direction, organize, and prioritize assignments, coordinate competing tasks under tight deadlines, and utilize computer technology in the course of performing work.

• Ability to work independently and in teams.

• Ability to maintain automated and manual filing systems.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Associate’s Degree or Paralegal Degree

Language: Bilingual in Spanish preferred, but not required

Submission: Email resume to: guadalupe.mancia@montgomerycountymd.gov