Paralegal Specialist

State of Connecticut•Waterford, CT

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The State of Connecticut Office of the Attorney General is recruiting a Paralegal Specialist for the Waterford Courthouse for Juvenile Matters in Waterford, Connecticut. The position provides legal assistance to Assistant Attorneys General handling cases related to protecting children in Connecticut from abuse and neglect. It is classified as advanced paralegal support in a highly complex legal unit, with technical leadership, research, and consultation responsibilities involving complex cases, draft legal documents and decisions, case procedures, and the presentation of legal matters. The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week. The Office of the Attorney General represents the interests of Connecticut residents in civil legal matters involving the state, protects the public interest, and serves as legal counsel to state agencies.

Requirements

Meet one of the following minimum qualification pathways: a bachelor’s degree in legal studies and one year of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney; an associate’s degree in legal studies and three years of such experience; an American Bar Association-approved Paralegal or Legal Assistance Certificate Program and three years of such experience; a Paralegal or Legal Assistance Certificate Program of at least 24 semester hours from an accredited college or university and four years of such experience; a certificate program from a business school approved by the Connecticut Office of Higher Education and four years of such experience; or a law degree from an accredited law school.
Considerable knowledge of legal processes and procedures, legal terminology and forms, and legal research techniques.
Knowledge of relevant agency policies and procedures.
Ability to interpret and apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes, regulations, and legislation.
Interpersonal skills and oral and written communication skills.
Skill in fact-finding techniques, including interviewing clients and compiling evidence.
Ability to evaluate pertinent facts, cases, and evidence and compile and assemble legal data.
Ability to compose correspondence and draft legal documents.
Ability to understand complex laws and related reports and utilize computer software.

Nice To Haves

Paraprofessional-level experience with cases involving the protection of children, specifically abuse and neglect cases.

Responsibilities

Interpret complex state statutes, federal regulations, court rules, agency policies, and procedures relevant to legal records and documents.
Prepare and review legal documents, including briefs, writs, pleadings, and other materials for court filings.
Monitor court deadlines and stay informed about court rules, calendar changes, and pending legislation.
Conduct legal research and analysis of statutes, articles, decisions, opinions, rulings, memoranda, and other legal materials.
Assist with discovery and respond to relevant requests for case information from courts.
Obtain and respond to requests for sensitive information, and serve as a liaison among the agency, courts, attorneys’ offices, and the public.
Prepare legal and administrative reports; maintain case records, pleadings, policy manuals, and filing systems.
Assist in drafting proposed legislation and advisory opinions, and provide training and assistance to staff.
Analyze complex cases; develop positions and strategies for settlement or litigation at formal or informal hearings.
Prepare for and represent the state’s interests at hearings or through case presentation.
Research and gather evidence and documentation; interview witnesses and clients.
Draft complaints, stipulations, detailed memoranda, letters, proposed findings, and awards.
Review substantiation appeals and recommend to management whether substantiation findings are legally sufficient.
Perform related duties as required.