Paralegal Specialist

State of Connecticut•Hartford, CT

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Connecticut Department of Revenue Services is recruiting a Paralegal Specialist in its Legal Services Bureau, Litigation Subdivision. The role provides advanced paralegal support in a highly complex legal unit, assisting tax attorneys with preparing bankruptcy claims and protecting the Commissioner’s interests in bankruptcy litigation. The position works under the direction of the DRS Tax Litigation Director and General Counsel, coordinating with the Office of the Attorney General as needed. The work offers exposure to Connecticut tax and collections law across more than 40 state taxes. The role also involves complex legal research and analysis, drafting legal documents, monitoring court deadlines, maintaining case records, and supporting litigation and legal office operations. The position is based in the Downtown Hartford office and follows a hybrid work arrangement, with a first-shift schedule of 9:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M., Monday through Friday.

Requirements

Meet one of the listed minimum qualification pathways: a bachelor’s degree in legal studies plus one year of paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney; an associate’s degree in legal studies plus three years of such experience; an ABA-approved Paralegal or Legal Assistance Certificate Program plus three years of such experience; a certificate program with at least 24 semester hours from an accredited college or university plus four years of such experience; a certificate program from a Connecticut Office of Higher Education-approved business school plus 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 and ability to interpret and apply state and federal laws, statutes, regulations, and legislation.
Interpersonal, oral communication, and written communication skills.
Skill in fact-finding techniques, including interviewing clients and compiling evidence.
Ability to evaluate facts, cases, and evidence; assemble legal data; compose correspondence; and draft legal documents.
Ability to understand complex laws and related reports and use computer software.

Nice To Haves

Experience with federal and Connecticut civil litigation, including e-filing and preparation of routine pleadings, motions, memoranda, and settlement agreements.
Experience conducting routine legal research.

Responsibilities

Assist tax attorneys in the Litigation Subdivision with preparing and filing bankruptcy claims.
Coordinate the Commissioner’s interests in bankruptcy litigation with the Office of the Attorney General.
Research legal issues and draft routine memoranda, affidavits, and other legal documents.
Interpret applicable statutes, regulations, court rules, agency policies, and procedures.
Monitor court deadlines and keep abreast of court rules, calendar changes, and pending legislation.
Review and prepare legal documents, including briefs, writs, pleadings, and other court filings.
Perform legal research and analysis using statutes, legal articles, decisions, opinions, rulings, memoranda, and other legal materials.
Provide assistance in the discovery process and obtain relevant case information and evidence.
Act as liaison between the agency, court system, attorneys’ offices, and the public as appropriate.
Prepare legal and administrative reports, and update and maintain case records, pleadings, policy manuals, and filing systems.
Provide training and assistance to staff as needed.
Analyze complex cases; develop positions and strategies for settlement or litigation; and prepare for and represent the state’s interests at hearings or through case presentation.
Interview witnesses and clients and gather relevant evidence and documentation.
Draft complaints, stipulations, detailed memoranda, letters, proposed findings, and awards; review substantiation appeals and recommend to management regarding the legal sufficiency of substantiation findings.