Legal Assistant (Law Department - Litigation Division)

City of Detroit•Michigan, MI

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Established by the Detroit City Charter, the Law Department is an independent agency that represents the interests of the City of Detroit as a corporate body. The Department is headed by the Corporation Counsel, whose mission is to provide a variety of legal services to the City, its elected officials, departments, agencies, offices, commissions, and boards, as well as its individual employee, in their official capacity. The Department has dozens of attorneys, specializing in various areas, who provide legal advice, opinions, and counsel to clients; defend all legal actions against the City; prosecute violations of State law and/or City Ordinances on behalf of the people of the City of Detroit.

Requirements

Successful completion of an American Bar Association approved paralegal/legal studies programs and three years of work experience as a Legal Assistant.
An Associate degree with a specialization in paralegal studies form an American Bar Association approved institution and two years of work experience as a Legal Assistant.
Bachelor’s degree with a specialization in paralegal studies, legal studies, or legal administration from an American Bar Association-approved institution, and six months of work experience as a Legal Assistant.
Valid State of Michigan Operator License.
Knowledge of Laws, policies, and procedures that affect the department
Knowledge of Litigation, organization and management
Knowledge of MS-OfficeSuite(Word,Excel, PowerPoint)
Knowledge of Westlaw
Knowledge of Research and analysis methods
Knowledge of Quality management and process improvement principles
Knowledge of Michigan Court Rules and Federal Court Rules related to Pleadings and Discovery
Skill in Interpreting instructions and guidelines to make decisions and take necessary action(s).
Skill in Preparing a variety of legal-related documents.
Skill in Use of technology as a tool to provide support to attorneys.
Skill in Maintain the calendars of counsel
Skill in Coordinate and confirm court dates and appointments
Skill in Perform electronic filing process
Skill in Prepare Damage Claim responses
Skill in Prepare litigation related documents without use of an example
Skill in Highly organized when managing multiple tasks
Skill in Work under tight deadlines
Skill in Draft correspondence and basic pleadings
Skill in Actively participate in organizational change initiatives
Skill in Analyze information to make effective decisions
Ability to Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Ability to Proofread and edit correspondence and legal documents for accurate grammar, spelling, and punctuation usage.
Ability to Identify and solve complex problems, determine work priorities, organize work and establish priorities.
Ability to Assist in establishing client relations, effectively manage time, follow instructions.
Ability to Maintain composure during stressful situations occurring because of workloads and/or deadlines.
Ability to Interact effectively with the public and departmental personnel with tact and diplomacy.
Ability to Respond to work place dynamics in a timely, visionary and proactive manner
Ability to Interpret and analyze data
Ability to Manage multiple priorities
Ability to Acquire additional training and knowledge of contemporary principles and best practices of function managed
Ability to Work effectively with minimal supervision
Ability to Complete specialized, technical assignments
Ability to Develop effective working relationships with other business units as well as external vendors and customers
Ability to Learn and effectively use new software programs (including Smartsheet and HighQ)

Nice To Haves

Candidates considered for placement in this classification may be subject to a Criminal Background Investigation based on the requirements of the position.

Responsibilities

Perform legal research under the direction of an attorney.
Gather information regarding laws, ordinances, regulation, court decisions and similar materials.
Draft legal documents and correspondence including, but not limited to, briefs, pleadings, opinions, stipulations, leases, deeds, contracts, and other legal documents.
Prepare summaries of research results and conclusions.
Interview clients and witnesses and research facts to obtain necessary information.
Act as liaison among clients, various internal departments as well as with outside agencies and parties.
Assist attorneys in conducting discovery by formulating discovery requests and discovery responses.
Work directly with attorneys and clients during various types of transactions through closing.
Locate, collect, organize, review and summarize documents.
Conduct on-site investigations.
Prepare histories and chronologies of events or other subject matters.
Attend meetings, depositions, mediations, settlement conferences, and trials with attorneys.
Assist attorneys in the development of case strategy and in the negotiation and settlement of claims and lawsuits.
Identify and consults with expert witnesses.
Assist attorneys in all facets of trials including compilation of witness and trial notebooks, identification and compilation of trial exhibits.
Prepare oral and written reports, and presentations.
Maintain and operate computerized databases for docket control, case management, calendaring, and litigation support purposes.
Provide administrative assistance such as preparation of case statistic reports, case summaries, litigation activity reports and other reports as requested by management.
Organize and maintain litigation, evidence materials, case and other legal files and records.
File, pleadings and other legal documents with courts or administrative agencies; efile documents in all courts.
Assist staff attorneys in carrying out their assignments.
Update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; and participating in professional organizations.
Other duties as assigned.