Paralegal 2 w/in-training | Children, Youth, and Families Division | Olympia

State of Washington•Thurston County – Tumwater, WA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Attorney General’s Office is recruiting for a permanent full time Paralegal 2 in the Children, Youth, and Families Division. This position is located in Olympia, Washington, and is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). Note: there is the possibility of an in-training from the Paralegal 1 level. This position works within a highly collaborative team environment in the Program Advice Litigation (PAL) section, supporting the mission of the Attorney General’s Office and the division’s client agency, the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. This paralegal provides legal support to our Juvenile Rehabilitation team, collaborating and coordinating to complete all required discovery. Under the direct supervision of the Paralegal 3 Supervisor, the duties of this position include, but are not limited to, the following: Prepare answers and objections to interrogatories, requests for production, and responses to the same, and review answers to discovery for completeness, evasiveness, and propriety of objections. Collaborate with the AAGs in developing legal strategy, and analyzing, selecting, and summarizing documents to identify information relevant to factual or legal issues. Understand the components of electronic discovery. Manage, organize, track, and produce electronic discovery in Everlaw in response to requests for production by uploading, reviewing, and coding client documents. Interpret the discovery requests to have a clear understanding of the request and independently determine privilege and responsiveness. Develop and maintain tracking logs for the identification and receipt of documents and actions taken. Independently draft legal documents and conduct complex legal research. Attend litigation and client meetings, coordinate with clients to schedule meetings, and, when requested, take notes to assist in preserving next steps in litigation. Trial and mediation/settlement preparation to include preparing witness and exhibit lists, preparing contracts, and routing invoices for payment. 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. An in-training is on-the-job instruction designed for candidates with less experience than the required goal classification to learn and grow into a higher-level role. In this job posting, we are open to considering those eligible at the Paralegal 1 level who are interested in learning on-the-job with the goal of moving into the Paralegal 2 role. You’ll gain the competencies and skills needed to successfully perform your duties while being supported by your supervisor, manager, and coworkers. Upon successful completion of your training and demonstrating knowledge of the position requirements, you will be promoted into the Paralegal 2 level.

Requirements

To qualify at the Paralegal 1 level 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
To qualify at the Paralegal 2 level Combination of four 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 OR One year experience as a Paralegal 1 in Washington State Service.
Preparing legal pleadings and legal correspondence
Ensuring and verifying timely and proper service of legal documents
Calculating, verifying, and calendaring critical events and other dates
Managing case documents, files and exhibits
Tracking and organizing discovery documents
Researching legal issues and verifying legal citations and references for accuracy
Demonstrate Knowledge of and Experience in: Litigation and discovery
Experience in state and federal appellate courts’ filing procedures
Utilization of court systems, i.e., Odyssey, ACORDS
Understanding the components of electronic discovery processes
Demonstrate Ability to: 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 meet business needs
Work independently and manage tasks effectively
Research and comply with state and agency policies and procedures
Effectively use Microsoft Office Suite applications, Adobe Acrobat, case management systems, and databases

Responsibilities

Prepare answers and objections to interrogatories, requests for production, and responses to the same, and review answers to discovery for completeness, evasiveness, and propriety of objections.
Collaborate with the AAGs in developing legal strategy, and analyzing, selecting, and summarizing documents to identify information relevant to factual or legal issues.
Understand the components of electronic discovery.
Manage, organize, track, and produce electronic discovery in Everlaw in response to requests for production by uploading, reviewing, and coding client documents.
Interpret the discovery requests to have a clear understanding of the request and independently determine privilege and responsiveness.
Develop and maintain tracking logs for the identification and receipt of documents and actions taken.
Independently draft legal documents and conduct complex legal research.
Attend litigation and client meetings, coordinate with clients to schedule meetings, and, when requested, take notes to assist in preserving next steps in litigation.
Trial and mediation/settlement preparation to include preparing witness and exhibit lists, preparing contracts, and routing invoices for payment.