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GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS
The PARALEGAL 1 performs, under the direction and supervision of an attorney, specifically delegated high volume
legal work dealing with assignments of a repetitious nature within a relatively narrow scope of law. The work,
for the most part, requires basic knowledge of legal principles, concepts, systems, processes, and terminology
and legal skills such that the case dispositions and/or actions prepared, which would for the most part otherwise
have to be performed by an attorney, are satisfactory for routine review and approval by an attorney.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
This is the first level of a three-level series. This class is distinguished from the next higher level by the
greater volume, less complex, and less diverse nature of case assignments and by the lesser degree of judgment
required in this class. It is further distinguished from clerical and administrative classifications by the absence,
for the most part, of typical clerical and secretarial tasks.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Legal Assistance. Typical tasks: independently analyzes and interprets legal documents (e.g., title
reports, DVA mortgages and trust deeds, property liens) and financial documents (e.g., mortgage payment records)
in accordance with established procedure to (a) ensure sufficient reasons for referring case to agency for legal
action (e.g., DVA foreclosure request), appropriate steps have been taken by the referring agency, and appropriate
documentation has been received (e.g., foreclosure and title reports) and (b) determine necessary parties, language,
and exhibits to be used in written legal statements of the facts constituting claims by the state (i.e. pleadings),
such as complaints which initiate proceedings, answers to complaints, and cross claims; determines when it is necessary
to involve an attorney early in the case-flow process to establish the appropriate course of action for nonroutine
cases not subject to established precedent and procedures; answers interrogatories and locates, reviews, and segregates
documents to be produced at discovery process of litigation or administrative hearing; provides for production
and delivery of the documents; independently reviews, analyzes, and drafts in accordance with established procedures
subpoenas, interrogatories, pretrial orders, stipulations, findings of fact, petitions, responses to subpoenas,
responses to motions, and other legal documents; independently reads, understands, and summarizes arguments in
opponents' pleadings and memoranda; performs routine research in statutes, court rules, and legal references particularly
regarding workers' compensation, foreclosures, collection of State debt, probate, and collections in connection
with venue, necessary parties, service of summons, judgments, executions, and sheriff sales; locates, interviews,
and ensures availability of witnesses; independently reviews incoming correspondence (e.g., settlement offers,
supplemental foreclosure reports) and determines whether to draft a response for attorney approval, initiate appropriate
steps in accordance with established procedures, or refer case to an attorney; performs other investigatory work,
such as locating pertinent business records and correspondence, alleged debtors and witnesses, and real and personal
property of alleged debtors and related individuals and organizations; prepares for litigation by establishing
time and location of depositions, preparing necessary subpoenas, collecting and organizing relevant documents,
preparing and organizing exhibits, and generally assisting the attorney in preparation, such as identifying the
key legal issues of the case; reviews case files for sufficiency of documentation and obtains necessary additional
materials; answers citizen telephone inquiries regarding technical aspects of cases and determines how much information
can be provided without violating ethics codes; independently computes legal fees, interest, and other costs as
required for preparation of cost bills, judgments, and other legal documents.
- Case Management Assistance. Typical tasks:
coordinates with clients and representatives of the opposing
party regarding pertinent case records and case status; assists in preparation for trial or administrative hearings
by reviewing, organizing, and indexing documents; maintains and updates casebooks, casefile logs, and other systems
of case management recordkeeping; prepares routine legal correspondence for own signature or signature by attorney;
prepares status reports and calendars and monitors for litigation process deadlines.
RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS
Employees in this class have daily in-person and telephone contact with clients, representatives of opposing
parties, court officials, and witnesses regarding case development, coordination, and closure activities.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Employees in this class receive general supervision from a supervising attorney and direction from an attorney
responsible for a specific case or project. Employees may also receive case assignment work priorities direction
from a Paralegal 3. Work is reviewed for accuracy and compliance with established court and other legal deadlines,
guidelines, policies and procedures, and legal standards and ethics.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Positions require the willingness to travel in-state, including occasional overnight trips, and the willingness
to occasionally work long days and weekends.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Two years of sub- paralegal experience (e.g., legal secretarial, administration of laws within a judicial or
administrative hearing process); OR
- One year non-degree certification program in Paralegal or Legal Assistant
studies.
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