Legal Assistant I-III (Paralegal) Division of Civil Rights & Public Trust Internal

State of Delaware•Dover, DE

19h

About The Position

The Division of Civil Rights and Public Trust (DCRPT) is seeking a Legal Assistant (Paralegal) to support its statewide mission. The position is based in Kent County. This Legal Assistant position serves as investigation and litigation support for Deputy Attorneys General (DAG) and Special Investigators (SI) within DCRPT. A DCRPT Legal Assistant is a member of a case team-typically composed of a DAG, an SI, and an outside police or state agency-that work together to conduct investigations into and prosecute violations of public trust, civil rights, all hate crimes, election crimes, conviction integrity, and the deadly use of force by law enforcement. This position requires someone with capabilities to manage large, complex, and dynamic caseloads. The Legal Assistant is responsible for maintaining a case file, preparing memoranda of facts for the case team, managing large volumes of case documents, drafting certain litigation documents and pleadings, preparing discovery responses, managing and tracking all relevant deadlines, corresponding with the complainants or stakeholders, opposing counsel, law enforcement officers, court personnel, colleagues, and members of the public, and e-filing with all Delaware courts. The Legal Assistant should possess familiarity with court procedures and local rules. The position also requires working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, File & ServeXpress, and Westlaw. An ideal candidate will also possess strong written and communication skills. This position is Internal/In-House only. Applicants may only apply if they are current employees of the Department of Justice.

Requirements

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Legal Assistant I
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:
1. Three years of employment with the Department of Justice in a similar capacity.
OR
1. Possession of an Associate’s degree or certificate in Paralegal Studies from an ABA or Department approved program.
OR
1. A Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice or a related field.
OR
1. Three years’ experience in preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files.
2. Three years’ experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information.
3. Three years’ experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
4. Two years’ experience in drafting legal documents and such as legal briefs or memoranda of law including presenting facts, setting out and analyzing legal issues and applying legal precedents.
5. Two years’ experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action.
JOB REQUIREMENTS for Legal Assistant II
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:
1. Five years of employment with the Department of Justice in a similar capacity.
OR
1. Possession of an Associate’s degree or certificate in Paralegal Studies from an ABA or Department approved program.
2. Two years of experience in preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files.
3. Two years’ experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information.
4. Two years’ experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
5. Two years’ experience in drafting legal documents and such as legal briefs or memoranda of law including presenting facts, setting out and analyzing legal issues and applying legal precedents.
6. Two years’ experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action.
OR
1. Possession of a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice or a related field.
2. One year of experience in preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files.
3. One year experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information.
4. One year experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
5. One year experience in drafting legal documents and such as legal briefs or memoranda of law including presenting facts, setting out and analyzing legal issues and applying legal precedents.
6. One year experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action.
OR
1. Possession of a Juris Doctorate degree.
OR
1. Six years’ experience in preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files.
2. Six years’ experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information.
3. Six years’ experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
4. Five years’ experience in drafting legal documents and such as legal briefs or memoranda of law including presenting facts, setting out and analyzing legal issues and applying legal precedents.
5. Five years’ experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action.
JOB REQUIREMENTS for Legal Assistant III
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:
1. Possession of an Associate’s degree or certificate in Paralegal Studies from an ABA approved program OR a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice or a related field.
2. Five years’ experience in preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files.
3. Five years’ experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information.
4. Five years’ experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
5. Five years’ experience in drafting legal documents and such as legal briefs or memoranda of law including presenting facts, setting out and analyzing legal issues and applying legal precedents.
6. Five years’ experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action.
OR
1. Possession of a Juris Doctorate degree.
2. Three years’ experience in preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files.
3. Three years’ experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information.
4. Three years’ experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
5. Two years’ experience in drafting legal documents and such as legal briefs or memoranda of law including presenting facts, setting out and analyzing legal issues and applying legal precedents.
6. Two years’ experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action.

Nice To Haves

The Legal Assistant should possess familiarity with court procedures and local rules.
The position also requires working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, File & ServeXpress, and Westlaw.
An ideal candidate will also possess strong written and communication skills.

Responsibilities

Acts in liaison capacity between superior and various interested parties and judicial and/or court staff, clients, defendants, plaintiffs, victims, witnesses, law enforcement agents, elected and/or appointed officials and the public to gather, clarify and provide information regarding case facts and status.
Establishes and maintains case files ensuring that the files contain complete and accurate information essential to each step of the proceedings from pre-hearing and/or pre-trial through trial and sentencing.
Interviews involved parties such as clients, defendants, plaintiffs, victims, witnesses, arresting officers, or medical personnel to gather discovery material, evidence for case preparation and to complete various legal and/or court documents.
Reviews various reports as well as other information such as police reports, medical reports, retail, surveillance, computer files/electronic documents, body worn camera and video/audio; summarizes pertinent details of the case for Deputy Attorney Generals; follows up as necessary for additional documents; drafts answers to litigation complaints and responses to form 30 interrogatories; issue subpoenas to obtain medical, insurance, and employment records; serves and prepares discovery; and makes required redactions for discovery and case preparation.
Reviews law sources such as case law, judicial decisions, statute law, codes, regulations, and legal and subject matter articles to ensure issues are properly cited and provides superior with written details of similar cases including findings, judicial decisions, and memorandum/opinions of law.
Prepares legal pleadings, e.g. briefs, motions, indictments, information and appeals.
Provides reports and recommendations for new/revised operating policies/procedures.
Reviews state and federal codes, laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance of legal actions/processes.