Paralegal

State of Minnesota Board of Public Defense•Crookston, MN

10d•Hybrid

About The Position

Under administrative direction and supervision, performs work of moderate difficulty assisting staff attorneys in performance of preliminary or specialized legal tasks. This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule after successfully completing the probationary period of 12 months.

Requirements

Working knowledge of the juvenile and criminal justice systems
Good knowledge of relevant legal information sources
Good knowledge of the principles of legal research
Good knowledge of legal protocol, legal vocabulary, document indexing methods and document filing methods
Considerable skill in interviewing and listening
Considerable skill in written and oral communications
Considerable skill in preparing and organizing materials for use by others
Considerable skill in analysis of facts and data
Working ability to use legal research tools such as statutes, digests, practice manuals and computerized legal bases
Working ability to develop written and oral reports
Working ability to establish and effective working relationships
Working ability to complete assignments under time constraints
Working ability to perform job duties independently, organize work-flow efficiently, set priorities and meet deadlines
Working ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion
Working ability to provide staff attorneys with a variety of legal processes
Four year paralegal degree from an accredited college or university; OR A two year paralegal certificate from an accredited business or technical school plus two years of approved experience as a Paralegal, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

Composes substantive legal correspondence
Organizes, indexes, and/or summarizes files and other materials
Obtains discovery, conducts legal research; drafts motions, memoranda, notices, demands, jury instructions, and other documents
Gathers information from clients and witnesses through interviews and from documents
Confers with clients on case status, preparation, and other matters
Assists attorneys with analyzing cases, developing defenses, theory of case, and trial strategies
Assists at hearings and trials
Drafts questions for prospective witnesses
Prepares witness lists
Coordinates witnesses
Examines physical evidence, tangible objects, photographs and exhibits
Prepares trial note books
Locates and confers with expert witnesses and resource people
Conducts jury surveys
Prepares and serves subpoenas
Prepares diagrams and other exhibits
Testifies in court
Assists clients with arrangements for bail
Acts as jail liaison
Assists clients with post sentencing issues such as jail credit, work release, and restitution
Monitors and reports legislative and case developments affecting clients
Maintains brief bank
Administers law library
Coordinates activities of interns and law clerks
May design and present information for statewide training programs
Performs related duties as required