Paralegal I

State of Maryland•Baltimore City, MD

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Limited to employees of the Office of the Public Defender only. As a State agency, the Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. MOPD is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, physical or mental disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status or genetic information. All applicants must be able to communicate with clients and visitors and possess the ability to complete tasks in a fast-paced work environment. MOPD is further committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs and activities by modifying or adjusting the job application process or the job or work environment to make reasonable accommodations to the known applicant or employee to enable the applicant or employee be considered for the position they desire; to perform the essential functions of the position in question; or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by other similarly situated employees without disabilities, unless the accommodation imposes an undue hardship. Applicants must be able to operate a computer and other office equipment. Applicants must have access to a motor vehicle or be able to navigate public transportation. If a reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Tawanda Jackson, Human Resources Supervisor, 410-767-8503 [email protected] The Office of the Public Defender is seeking detail oriented applicants with strong legal research skills, exceptional organizational, critical thinking and problem solving skills highly proficient in computer based data collection including remote filing in Maryland’s electronic court system and organizing and updating the confidential Public Defender electronic filing system on individual clients, as well as working with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and Google products. We are also looking for an applicant with outstanding communication skills, ability to deal with clients of diverse backgrounds, who may be experiencing mental health issues, who are in crisis and may suffer from disabilities. This position will involve client contact and contact with witnesses, court employees and attorneys, often under time pressure The Paralegal I will provide assistance to Assistant Public Defenders by performing legal research, conducting investigations, meeting with clients and witnesses under pressure, obtaining documents through the MPIA or legal discovery process, preparing files on cases, drafting legal documents, filing documents in court and electronically assisting with bail and trial preparation, reviewing court, police and trial files, and preparing correspondence. This includes assistance with updating bail and trial information in our database. This Paralegal 1 position requires help with docket preparation and other administrative duties docket preparation . This position involves significant client contact with clients who have experienced and are experiencing trauma, indigent defendants and their families in office, court, detention centers and/or state prison settings. Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. Knowledge of and interest in trauma-informed service for clients is a plus. The Paralegal I is the intermediate level of support work to an attorney involving legal research, conducting investigations, obtaining documents, reviewing files, application of Maryland case law, preparation and filing of various legal documents and pretrial preparation including answering client correspondence and interviewing clients and witnesses. Employees in these classifications do not supervise.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
Two years of experience as a legal assistant or legal secretary performing legal research or preparing legal documents on behalf of an attorney.
Thirty credit hours or a certificate in paralegal studies from an accredited college or university may be substituted for the required experience.
Thirty credit hours from an accredited law school may be substituted for the required experience.
Additional years of experience as stated above may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required education.
Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in paralegal specialist classifications or paralegal specialist specialty codes in the legal and kindred field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.
Applicants must be able to operate a computer and other office equipment.
Applicants must have access to a motor vehicle or be able to navigate public transportation.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of Electronic Data Collection Systems, Electronic Filing, MDEC, E-Defender, Microsoft Office Suite.
Knowledge of performing legal research using Westlaw or other legal research applications.
Demonstrated ability to prepare motions on behalf of attorneys with limited supervision.
Experience performing computerized investigations and background checks using programs such as CLEAR, Accurint or other online tools.
Experience working in the criminal justice or court systems with clients experiencing trauma.
Experience working with detained or incarcerated persons, attorneys and law enforcement or courtroom personnel.
Experience interviewing people and documenting the interview.
Experience and interest in assisting and working with individuals with cognitive or mental health challenges.

Responsibilities

performing legal research
conducting investigations
meeting with clients and witnesses under pressure
obtaining documents through the MPIA or legal discovery process
preparing files on cases
drafting legal documents
filing documents in court and electronically assisting with bail and trial preparation
reviewing court, police and trial files
preparing correspondence
updating bail and trial information in our database
help with docket preparation and other administrative duties docket preparation
answering client correspondence
interviewing clients and witnesses