Paralegal 1, Regional Services Division, WA State Office of the Attorney General

State of Washington•Kennewick, WA

30d

About The Position

The Attorney General's Office is recruiting for two permanent full-time Paralegal 1 positions in the Regional Services Division. These positions are located in Kennewick, Washington and are represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). Our Paralegal 1 staff provide critical support to Assistant Attorneys General (AAGs) in the litigation of state matters, preparing for trial, and applying knowledge of court rules related to legal practice, subject matter, and court filing procedures in civil and appellate matters. As a Paralegal 1, you may be entrusted to perform some of the following duties: Specific to the Regional Services Division in Kennewick, you will independently monitor cases pertaining to the welfare of children taken into custody by the Department of Children, Youth and Families. The paralegal is assigned a portion of cases for the Benton, Franklin, Columbia, Garfield and Walla Walla counties, determining emergent issues based on experience and analysis. Prioritize and coordinate the workflow. In addition, the paralegal will independently draft and/or prepare Motions, Declarations, Notices and Summons, appropriate Orders as needed. Examine case documents to assure necessary legal steps and points have been covered and legal deadlines are met, advising attorneys of hearing commitments and special items needing attention. Coordinate calendars and act as initial contact for the Department staff and witnesses scheduled to testify at trial. Conduct basic legal research, draft requests for production of documents and responses, organize and prepare trial notebooks, pleadings and exhibits to be used at trial. The position will also coordinate with superior and administrative court staff and opposing parties for the scheduling of litigation events. If you are interested in furthering your legal support career within the AGO, this is the opportunity for you. This recruitment announcement may be used to fill multiple open positions for the same classification, in addition to the position(s) listed in this announcement.

Requirements

Combination of three years of experience through:
Paralegal certification
Two-year paralegal degree
Paralegal plus (or nine-month paralegal, post BA) certification,
and/or
Paraprofessional experience in support of an attorney
You may have gained applicable paraprofessional experience through previous Paralegal or Legal Assistant work.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of Paralegal processes and procedures
Experience in all components of trial preparation
Experience in state and federal courts filing procedures
Utilization of court systems, i.e., Odyssey, JIS/JABS
Understand the components of electronic discovery processes
Effectively communicate in both written and verbal forms
Ability to problem solve and implement decision-making skills in the daily performance of work assignments
Multi-task and/or shift priorities to conduct necessary business
Work independently
Research and comply with state and agency policies and procedures
Effectively use Microsoft Office Suite applications, case management systems, and data bases

Responsibilities

Analyze facts
Compose documents and pleadings
Schedule and/or interview witnesses
Research legal issues and evaluate the facts of the cases
Coordinate the preparation for litigation
Track status of cases from summons to trial
Draft legal notices
Independently monitor cases pertaining to the welfare of children taken into custody by the Department of Children, Youth and Families
Prioritize and coordinate the workflow
Independently draft and/or prepare Motions, Declarations, Notices and Summons, appropriate Orders as needed
Examine case documents to assure necessary legal steps and points have been covered and legal deadlines are met, advising attorneys of hearing commitments and special items needing attention
Coordinate calendars and act as initial contact for the Department staff and witnesses scheduled to testify at trial
Conduct basic legal research, draft requests for production of documents and responses, organize and prepare trial notebooks, pleadings and exhibits to be used at trial
Coordinate with superior and administrative court staff and opposing parties for the scheduling of litigation events