Litigation Support Coordinator (Paralegal 3), Discovery Division

Description

Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information[RR1] in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at HREmployment@atg.wa.gov. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com.

Position and Salary

The Attorney General’s Office is recruiting for a permanent full time Litigation Support Coordinator in the Discovery Division. This position is located in the state of Washington and is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).

Paralegal 3 Salary Range 59, $66,023 - $88,800

The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

The following stipends may apply based on position requirements:

• Incumbents assigned to our Seattle office location receive an additional 5% King County Location Pay stipend.
• Incumbents assigned to a position designated as requiring dual language skills will receive a 5% Dual Language Requirement Pay stipend.

Excellent benefits

Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation, including Medical/Dental/Vision for employees & dependent(s); Vacation, Sick, and Other Leave; 11 Paid Holidays per year; Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) plans; and Life Insurance. Beyond these traditional benefits, we offer Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave, and more. With the goal of employee health and wellness, we also offer:

• Flexible schedules and part-time/hybrid telework options;
• A Wellness Program, an Infants in the Workplace Program, and the Employee Assistance Program, which provides counseling, webinar, and other cost-free support resources;
• Numerous employee-driven affinity groups to foster community and connection, including Bereavement, Elder Care, Parenting, POC, LGBTQ , Veterans and more. The AGO is a place to belong and make a difference!

About the Discovery Division:

The Discovery Division serves as a legal advisor and consultant for client agencies on discovery practices and any aspect of matters involving affirmative or defensive discovery. The Discovery Division provides legal and risk management advice to other AGO divisions and state agencies on matters involving discovery; consults with and advises advising program divisions on discovery issues for all matters assigned to the AGO, including before administrative entities and in state and federal courts; develops guidance, expectations, and practices related to discovery, provides training on discovery guidance, expectations and practices, and manages and conducts the work of the Discovery Sanctions Review Team. The team’s mission is to elevate discovery practices and skills across the AGO.

[The Discovery Division (DSD) has an opportunity for an experienced paralegal working with the division's dedicated attorneys and team of paraprofessionals to identify and develop guidance, policies, and practices for the benefit of the AGO and its clients. As a member of a new division within the AGO, you will collaborate with DSD team members in providing advice and assistance to attorneys and staff across the agency. Your work will have a meaningful, positive impact on the AGO’s legal practice

The DSD strives to make professional growth a priority and encourages staff to develop an expertise in areas of interest while still meeting the business needs of the section. Paralegals will take on more responsibility and subject matter expertise as their careers progress, including training, leadership, and professional development opportunities. In addition, the DSD supports its staff members to maintain healthy work-life balance and offers flexible schedules with telework opportunities.

The division will adapt training, case assignment, and litigation or advice opportunities to the experience level of the successful candidate.

This full-time position can be located at any AGO location and may require travel to other AGO locations as necessary to collaborate with divisions, deliver training, or otherwise meet the essential functions of the position.

Duties and Essential Functions of a Litigation Support Coordinator

This is a supervising position. This position works in a collaborative environment to provide paralegal support to the team through designing, coordinating, and managing electronic litigation support services used to conduct discovery for the AGO statewide in collaboration with the division’s Division Chief, Managing AAGs, and Litigation Support Program Manager. This position reports directly to the Administrative Operations Manager.

This position will plan, assign, and review the work of their direct reports, which may include providing training, updating resources/information, and coaching to staff as needed while keeping supervisors and managers informed of workload and case/attorney assignments. They will work directly with AGO attorneys and clients in critical areas for litigation support, such as data and document collection, and exercise high level of knowledge in document management and imaging/coding procedures. Providing guidance to AGO teams concerning written discovery, including interrogatories, requests for production and requests for admission, and in the review of productions for completeness. Coordinate with other supervising paralegals on litigation teams to determine whether existing staff resources can meet the litigation support needs of the assigned case. Regularly working with division trial teams to identify case-specific and case-related database needs and coding requirements; exercising a high level of knowledge on how to utilize litigation support software, such as Everlaw, for collection, document management, tracking, review, and production.

This recruitment announcement may be used to fill multiple open positions for the same classification, in addition to the position(s) listed in this announcement.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Combination of five years of experience* through:

• Paralegal certification
• Two-year paralegal degree
• Paralegal plus (or nine-month paralegal, post BA) certification,

and/or

• Paraprofessional experience in support of an attorney

OR

• Three years’ experience as a Paralegal 2 in Washington State Service.

Examples of paraprofessional experience in support of an attorney:

• Preparing legal pleadings and legal correspondence
• Ensuring and verifying timely and proper service of legal documents
• Calculating, verifying, and calendaring critical events and other dates
• Managing case documents, files and exhibits
• Tracking and organizing discovery documents
• Researching legal issues and verifying legal citations and references for accuracy

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Adaptability and flexibility
• Coaching and mentoring
• Initiative
• Performance management
• Resourcefulness in problem solving
• Training
• Understanding and comprehension of legal terminology
• Workload management
• Database/spreadsheet/research proficiency
• Attention to detail

About the Washington State Office of the Attorney General

Join an agency whose work impacts the lives of every resident of Washington State.

The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) touches the lives of every resident in this state. We serve more than 230 state agencies, boards, commissions, colleges and universities, as well as the Legislature and the Governor. The Office is comprised of nearly 700 attorneys and 800 professional staff, all working together to deliver the highest quality professional legal services to Washington state officials, agencies, and entities. This includes:

• Economic justice and consumer protections (safeguarding consumers, protecting youth, seniors, and other vulnerable populations)
• Social justice and civil rights (addressing discrimination, environmental protection, and veteran and military resources)
• Criminal justice and public safety (investigative and prosecutorial support, financial crimes)
• And much more!

Our agency also has national reach, representing the State of Washington before the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals and trial courts in all cases that involve the state’s interest. If you want to make a difference, we may be the perfect fit for you! Learn more about the AGO here.

Commitment to Diversity

Diversity is critical to the success of the mission of the AGO. This means recognizing, respecting, and appreciating all cultures and backgrounds- and fostering the inclusion of differences between people. Appreciating, valuing and implementing principles of diversity permits AGO employees to achieve their fullest potential in an inclusive, respectful environment.

One recent measure of the AGO's commitment to diversity can be found in its nomination for Rainbow Alliance and Inclusion Network's "Outstanding Agency Award" in 2019. Our commitment to employee wellness is reflected in earning the 2021 Zo8 Washington Wellness Award.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

In addition to completing the online application, applicants must attach the following documents to their profile in order to be considered for this position:

• A letter of interest, describing your specific qualifications for the position;
• A current resume detailing experience and education.

READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION COMPLETELY:

• Carefully review your application for accuracy, spelling and grammar before submitting.
• You may not reapply to this posting for 30 days.
• The initial screening of applications will be solely based on the contents and completeness of the “work experience” and “education” sections of your application in www.careers.wa.gov, completeness of the application material submitted, and responses to the supplemental questionnaire.
• A resume will not substitute for completing the “work experience” section of the application.
• All information may be verified and documentation may be required.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Accommodations Request

Honoring diversity, equity and inclusion means that as an agency, and as individuals, we are committed to ensuring that all employees and volunteers enjoy a respectful, safe and supportive working environment. Only by fostering the inclusion of people from all backgrounds, cultures and attributes, can AGO employees and volunteers achieve their fullest potential and best advance the goals and mission of the AGO.

The AGO is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation/gender identity, age, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, retaliation or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at HREmployment@atg.wa.gov. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com.

For questions regarding this recruitment or assistance with the application process, please contact Jenny Wilding @ (360) 753-6216 or Jenny.Wilding@atg.wa.gov.