Paralegal Specialist - Souza Baranowski Correctional Center

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Shirley, MA

51d • Onsite

About The Position

Perform full range of paralegal duties for the Department of Correction (DOC) on site at Souza Baranowski Correctional Center. Duties and responsibilities will vary depending upon the nature of the particular litigation and include assisting DOC attorneys in defending inmate civil rights actions, tort claims and other legal proceedings. This role involves extensive research, document gathering, drafting affidavits, responding to discovery requests (including electronic discovery), and maintaining litigation files. The Paralegal Specialist will also communicate with the Superintendent regarding pending litigation and assist institutional departments with proper procedures. Additionally, the role requires coordinating pre-trial discovery, assisting with depositions and trials, and providing information to opposing counsel, courts, and the public. Other duties include preparing Request for Representation packets, creating charts and spreadsheets, utilizing legal research tools like Westlaw and Lexis, and managing electronic documents and records. Maintaining confidentiality of all records and data is paramount.

Requirements

• At least (A) two years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, paraprofessional experience in legal research or legal assistant work, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.
• An Associate's or higher degree with a major in paralegal studies may be substituted for the required experience.
• Completion of one year of study at a recognized, degree-granting law school may be substituted for the required experience.
• No felony convictions, to include any actions defined in 5 U.S.C. 301; U.S.C. 509, 510; 42 U.S.C. 15601-15609.
• Must not have engaged in sexual abuse in a prison or other institution as defined in 42 U.S.C. 1997.
• Must not have been convicted of engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse, or has been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in the activity described in the above paragraph.
• The agency shall consider any incidents of sexual harassment in determining whether to hire anyone who may have contact with incarcerated individuals or residents.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with discovery of electronically stored information and with electronic document management for major systems and other litigation
• Experience with litigation matters at the trial and appellate levels.
• Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Assist DOC attorneys in defending inmate civil rights actions, tort claims and other legal proceedings in state and federal courts and before administrative bodies through research and document gathering.
• Assist in drafting affidavits, gathering documents, and responding to discovery requests, including electronic discovery, for use in state and federal court litigation.
• Obtain, compile, review and redact relevant documents, logs, reports, administrative records, etc. for DOC attorneys, as needed.
• Review and redact inmate and employee records in response to requests for completed investigations, electronic and other discovery, and public record requests.
• Keep the Superintendent apprised of pending litigation, communicating potential areas of concern.
• Assist various institutional departments (e.g., Disciplinary, Property, Mail Room. Grievance Coordinator, Inner Perimeter Security) to ensure that proper procedures are followed.
• Attend interviews and discussions with DOC attorneys, the Superintendent, and employees regarding pending litigation.
• Review and gather institutional documents to respond to inmate correspondence, ensuring that the issues are fully researched, and that the response contains accurate information, is well organized and grammatically correct.
• Coordinate pre-trial discovery and assist with deposition scheduling and deposition summaries, witness attendance and scheduling of trials.
• Assist DOC counsel at trial by creating and maintaining trial notebooks and exhibits and assisting with witnesses.
• Maintain litigation files, schedules, calendars, case tracking system(s) and assist with electronic document management and record keeping, including filing.
• Provide information to opposing counsel, the courts and the public in response to inquiries.
• Deliver documents to opposing counsel.
• Perform other tasks and duties as needed, including preparation of Request for Representation packets for staff; creation of charts and spreadsheets; use of Westlaw and Lexis for legal research purposes; and Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, and the court electronic docket systems.
• Maintain confidentiality of all records and data.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Benefits
• Outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package.
• Work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree