Legal Assistant IV - Office of the General Counsel - Austin/Huntsville (028897)

Texas Department of Criminal Justice • Austin, TX

18h

About The Position

Performs highly advanced legal assistant work. Work involves coordinating legal activities; researching, analyzing, investigating, and drafting legal documents; assisting attorneys with case management; and supervising the work of others. Works under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited senior high school or equivalent or GED.
• Five years full-time, wage-earning legal work experience. A Bachelor’s degree in Paralegal Studies or a related field from a college or university accredited by an organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or by the United States Department of Education (USDE) may be substituted for four years of the required experience.
• Thirty semester hours of course study for a paralegal certificate approved by the American Bar Association or the American Association for Paralegal Education may be substituted for each year of experience on a year-for-year basis.
• Knowledge of legal terminology and of research methods and techniques.
• Knowledge of administrative and court procedures.
• Knowledge of office practices and processes.
• Knowledge of public notice requirements.
• Knowledge of the legislative process.
• Skill to communicate ideas and instructions clearly and concisely.
• Skill to coordinate with other staff, departments, officials, agencies, organizations, and the public.
• Skill to interpret and apply rules, regulations, laws, policies, and procedures.
• Skill in problem-solving techniques.
• Skill in the use of computers and related equipment in a stand-alone or local area network environment.
• Skill to interpret court documents and correspondence.
• Skill to review technical data and prepare technical reports.
• Skill to conduct research and investigations.
• Skill to evaluate and relate findings to cases.
• Skill to supervise the work of others.
• Ability to walk, stand, sit, kneel, push, stoop, reach above the shoulder, grasp, pull, bend repeatedly, climb stairs, identify colors, hear with aid, see, write, count, read, speak, analyze, alphabetize, lift and carry under 15 lbs., perceive depth, operate a motor vehicle, and operate motor equipment.
• Conditions include working inside, working around machines with moving parts and moving objects, radiant and electrical energy, working closely with others, working alone, working protracted or irregular hours, and traveling by car, van, bus, and airplane.
• Equipment (machines, tools, devices) used in performing only the essential functions include computer and related equipment, calculator, copier, fax machine, telephone, dolly, and automobile.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in the supervision of employees preferred.
• Legal research experience preferred.
• Litigation support experience preferred.
• Legal writing experience preferred.
• Experience in the use of LexisNexis, Westlaw, or other related legal research software programs preferred.
• Experience in the use of Microsoft Office Suite or equivalent to include word processing, spreadsheet, database, or presentation software programs preferred.
• Paralegal certification preferred.
• Knowledge of agency and departmental organizational structure, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations preferred.

Responsibilities

• Schedules, attends, and prepares attorneys for hearings, trials, meetings, interviews, appellate arguments, depositions, and docket calls; schedules and prioritizes attorney caseloads; organizes case files; prepares chronologies, fact summaries, and witness files; and explains previously interpreted laws, rules, and regulations to others.
• Researches and analyzes legal sources to include statutes, case law, administrative records, opinions, articles, and rules and regulations; prepares synopses, abstracts, and summaries of legal issues; and prepares, reviews, and edits pleadings, motions, briefs, petitions, summary judgments, legal correspondence, and other legal documents.
• Researches and prepares legislative histories; drafts cost analyses and bill summaries for proposed legislation; and tracks and analyzes legislation.
• Coordinates the service of subpoenas, notices of depositions, and other legal documents; coordinates the scheduling and drafting of interrogatories, requests for production, requests for admissions, and other requests for information; and coordinates, assembles, and prepares discovery responses, evidence, exhibits, affidavits, and other documents for use in legal proceedings.
• Confers with other departments of the agency; coordinates the implementation and response of federal, state, and agency mandates; and attends meetings, takes notes, and distributes related information.
• Supervises the work of others; and plans and organizes work assignments.
• Performs a variety of marginal duties not listed, to be determined and assigned as needed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED