Paralegal-Municipal Court Unit

Defender Association of Philadelphia • Philadelphia, PA

1d

About The Position

The Municipal Court Unit is one of our adult trial practices that handles preliminary hearings, misdemeanors, and some felony trials. The Paralegal in the Municipal Court Unit assists attorneys in client representation in adult court for Municipal Court preliminary hearings and trials. The Paralegal is a liaison for clients and an advocate in coordinating cases with attorneys, social workers, family members and individuals involved in all aspects of the criminal justice system. The Paralegal is responsible for detail-oriented tasks for client representation before court in addition to following up after court in anticipation for continued team-oriented representation.  Some of these tasks include but are not limited to checking conflicts; reviewing video and issue spotting in advance of trial; interviewing clients.  The paralegal may also work closely with interns in the Municipal Court Unit to help monitor and train. Paralegals may interface with each other, attorneys, clients, private counsel, judges and others in the court system.  The work they do is of the utmost importance in ultimately bringing about the best representation for our Defender clients.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or Associate’s degree with Paralegal Certification or any equivalent combination of acceptable education and experience.
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients and conduct comprehensive legal interviews
• Ability to communicate with and develop trusting relationships with clients, family members, employers and community to ensure that client has support throughout the court process
• Ability to understand and interpret the Pennsylvania Crimes Code
• Ability to interact professionally with attorneys, clients, office and court personnel
• Must have analytical and interpretive skills
• Computer literacy including the ability to learn multiple internal and external computer systems
• Ability to learn the court system and internal and external procedures
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to handle high volume daily assignments
• Ability to work both independently and within a team
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Travel to various courtroom, prisons, and other community placements as needed

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with indigent clients in criminal justice proceedings preferred
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred
• Previous paralegal experience preferred

Responsibilities

• Identify Defender conflicts of interest and recommend resolutions
• Review and prepare memorandum for legal cases
• Review videos and prepare memorandum for trial preparation
• Assist in trial preparation with attorneys
• Request, receive and review discovery
• Assess files for errors and necessary investigations/referrals
• Order and obtain notes of testimony
• Interview clients
• Communicate and correspond with clients, clients’ family, attorneys and staff regarding upcoming court hearings
• Assist Municipal Court Unit attorneys and staff in ensuring internal databases are updated
• Assist Municipal Court Unit staff in their administrative tasks when needed

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level