Paralegal I

County of Thurston•Olympia, WA

27d•Onsite

About The Position

Thurston County Public Defense is currently recruiting for one (1) Paralegal I position. This position works within the Superior Court Unit and provides specialized Legal Assistant II duties and responsibilities to assigned attorneys. This position performs lead duties to other legal support staff, such as planning work and daily priorities, distributing and checking their work, and developing unit/office procedures. This position serves as a member of the Lead Support Team. Work is performed independently, and discretion is afforded. Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following: Types correspondence, reports, legal pleadings and other material with high standards of accuracy, style of presentation, completeness and correctness of content. Composes responses to routine inquiries from attorneys, agencies and the public. In support of litigation, may perform research on specific subject matter and summarizes findings for attorney review. Drafts legal documents for attorney review and signature. Reviews case documents for grammar and appropriate content. Assures proper documents are completed and filed in preparation of or as a result of legal motions such as written evidentiary motions, legal memoranda, summary judgements, supporting documents, finding of fact and conclusions of law, etc. Provides assistance and information to the public and witnesses regarding court dates and appearances on criminal cases. Provides courtroom support to Defense Attorney by organizing and preparing trial notebooks, exhibits, or other documents, organizing and scheduling witnesses, taking notes, and/or related tasks during trial or other hearings. Communicates verbally or in writing with opposing attorneys or parties regarding discovery issues, settlement negotiations, or other matters related to the litigation. Extracts information from case management and related systems to generate specialized reports. Research, compiles, and completes special project assignments as assigned. Maintains statistics and prepares statistical reports. Performs lead work duties including coordinating and monitoring staff workload, assisting in the planning of work and setting daily priorities, and developing training plans and training staff. Conveys supervisor's direction and instructions to subordinate personnel, furnishing explanation when necessary. Advises staff on supervisor's preference and requirements. Assists in managing office activities including responding to complaints and recommending solutions, being the first point of contact in resolving staff problems, and the frequent reporting on, and maintenance of, a positive working environment with respect to personnel problems, disciplinary issues, assessing work performance of staff, and providing input for evaluations to the supervisor. Devises and evaluates office procedures and implements changes subject to approval of supervisor.

Requirements

Associate degree in legal assistant or paralegal studies, or legal-related studies, and/or Paralegal certificate from an accredited program; and three (3) years' experience in a position equivalent to a Legal Assistant II level position.
Or, six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in a legal-related field, which include three years in a Legal Assistant II level position; or any combination of education and relevant experience which demonstrates the ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the position.
Must be able to type at least 60 words per minute.

Responsibilities

Types correspondence, reports, legal pleadings and other material with high standards of accuracy, style of presentation, completeness and correctness of content.
Composes responses to routine inquiries from attorneys, agencies and the public.
In support of litigation, may perform research on specific subject matter and summarizes findings for attorney review.
Drafts legal documents for attorney review and signature.
Reviews case documents for grammar and appropriate content.
Assures proper documents are completed and filed in preparation of or as a result of legal motions such as written evidentiary motions, legal memoranda, summary judgements, supporting documents, finding of fact and conclusions of law, etc.
Provides assistance and information to the public and witnesses regarding court dates and appearances on criminal cases.
Provides courtroom support to Defense Attorney by organizing and preparing trial notebooks, exhibits, or other documents, organizing and scheduling witnesses, taking notes, and/or related tasks during trial or other hearings.
Communicates verbally or in writing with opposing attorneys or parties regarding discovery issues, settlement negotiations, or other matters related to the litigation.
Extracts information from case management and related systems to generate specialized reports.
Research, compiles, and completes special project assignments as assigned.
Maintains statistics and prepares statistical reports.
Performs lead work duties including coordinating and monitoring staff workload, assisting in the planning of work and setting daily priorities, and developing training plans and training staff.
Conveys supervisor's direction and instructions to subordinate personnel, furnishing explanation when necessary.
Advises staff on supervisor's preference and requirements.
Assists in managing office activities including responding to complaints and recommending solutions, being the first point of contact in resolving staff problems, and the frequent reporting on, and maintenance of, a positive working environment with respect to personnel problems, disciplinary issues, assessing work performance of staff, and providing input for evaluations to the supervisor.
Devises and evaluates office procedures and implements changes subject to approval of supervisor.