Legal Assistant I - III Civil Division, Affirmative Litigation Unit NCC

State of Delaware•Dover, DE

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Delaware Department of Justice seeks a Legal Assistant (Paralegal) to provide support to Deputy Attorneys General in the Civil Division, Affirmative Litigation Unit in New Castle County. The Affirmative Litigation Unit administratively prosecutes a variety of cases and serves as legal counsel for designated state entities. The Unit also serves as legal counsel for various boards and commissions and has an appellate practice before the Delaware Superior and Supreme Courts when board and/or commissions’ orders are challenged. The Legal Assistant will provide comprehensive paralegal support to Deputy Attorneys General (DAGs). The Legal Assistant will help manage all phases of the high volume, professional licensee administrative prosecutions conducted pursuant to 29 Del. C. § 8735. Responsibilities include opening and closing cases, reviewing and evaluating cases, obtaining additional information as requested by DAGs, scheduling and coordinating witnesses, managing hearing calendars, hearing preparation, maintaining unit statistics, and generating statistical reports. The position may also include significant telephone and interpersonal interaction with investigators, witnesses, agency personnel, and the public. The Legal Assistant may also be required to perform other responsibilities related to the Unit, as directed by the Unit Head and Assistant Unit Head. The Legal Assistant must have excellent organizational and communication skills, proficient time management skills, experience using MS Word and MS Excel, experience working with the public, and be able to work independently. The Legal Assistant must be able to develop a good working relationship with DAGs, support staff, and agency personnel.

Requirements

Excellent organizational and communication skills.
Proficient time management skills.
Experience using MS Word and MS Excel.
Experience working with the public.
Ability to work independently.
Ability to develop a good working relationship with DAGs, support staff, and agency personnel.
Three years of employment with the Department of Justice in a similar capacity OR Possession of an associate’s degree or certificate in Paralegal Studies from an ABA or Department approved program OR A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a related field OR Three years’ experience in preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files.
Three years’ experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information.
Three years’ experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
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.
Two years’ experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action.
Five years of employment with the Department of Justice in a similar capacity OR Possession of an Associate’s degree or certificate in Paralegal Studies from an ABA or Department approved program AND Two years of experience in preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files AND Two years’ experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information AND Two years’ experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures AND 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 AND Two years’ experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action OR Possession of a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a related field AND One year of experience in preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files AND One year experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information AND One year experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures AND 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 AND One year experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action OR Possession of a Juris Doctorate degree OR Six years’ experience in preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files AND Six years’ experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information AND Six years’ experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures AND 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 AND Five years’ experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action.
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 AND Five years’ experience in preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files AND Five years’ experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information AND Five years’ experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures AND Five years’ experience in drafting legal documents such as legal briefs or memoranda of law including presenting facts, setting out and analyzing legal issues and applying legal precedents AND Five years’ experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action OR Possession of a Juris Doctorate degree AND Three years’ experience in preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files AND Three years’ experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information AND Three years’ experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures AND 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 AND Two years’ experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action.

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.
Opening and closing cases.
Reviewing and evaluating cases.
Obtaining additional information as requested by DAGs.
Scheduling and coordinating witnesses.
Managing hearing calendars.
Hearing preparation.
Maintaining unit statistics.
Generating statistical reports.
Significant telephone and interpersonal interaction with investigators, witnesses, agency personnel, and the public.
Performing other responsibilities related to the Unit, as directed by the Unit Head and Assistant Unit Head.