Paralegal (Juvenile Appellate Section)

State of Oregon•Salem, OR

5d•$4,848 - $7,163•Hybrid

About The Position

The Oregon Public Defense Commission (OPDC) is excited to announce an opportunity as a Paralegal in our Juvenile Appellate Section (JAS). We encourage dedicated and detail-oriented candidates who are passionate about indigent defense and committed to supporting an inclusive workplace to apply. This is a great opportunity to expand your skills and contribute meaningfully to OPDC’s appellate advocacy.

Requirements

Two years associate degree in paralegal or legal assistant studies.
OR Eighteen months of Paralegal experience.
OR Any combination of training and experience that demonstrates experience in legal work, independent judgment, legal terminology principles, concepts, systems, and processes.
Experience must include appellate and trial methods and procedures, legal ethics, and skill in preparing legal documents and explaining legal issues.
Strong Organizational Skills: Essential for managing case files, tracking deadlines, handling intake, and maintaining accurate records across multiple systems.
Effective Communication: Ability to engage with attorneys, clients, courts, and other stakeholders clearly and professionally via phone, email, and in writing
Attention to Detail: Critical for reviewing legal documents and transcripts, verifying records, and ensuring compliance with court rules.
Legal Knowledge & Analytical Thinking: Understanding of appellate procedures, ability to assess claims and sentencing issues, and perform preliminary legal assessments.
Technical Proficiency: Competence in using electronic case management systems, accessing court records, and producing legal documents efficiently.
Teamwork & Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to work respectfully and effectively with coworkers, supervisors, and external partners in a legal environment.
Adaptability and Initiative: Willingness and ability to take on varied responsibilities (e.g., officer of the day, legal assistant coverage), manage shifting priorities, and solve problems independently.
Cultural Competence & Respect for Differences: Ability to understand, appreciate, and interact effectively with people from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

Responsibilities

Serve as legal support to assigned attorneys.
Preserve each attorney’s case files including file management and case tracking.
Promptly process and deliver incoming documents and file as needed in client files.
Maintain client files in a well-organized and clutter-free manner.
Monitor and check file due dates.
Keep attorneys' calendars and coordinate meeting due dates.
Review database reports and calendar entries.
Assess and review trial court records.
Access trial court documents and appellate court documents from circuit court and appellate court electronic case management systems.
Track and monitor attorney’s caseload.
Monitor calendar due dates and keep attorneys apprised.
Produce files and documents at attorney or management direction.
Process all incoming case referrals for colorable claim cases from the electronic referral system.
Conduct initial conflict checks using AD’s case management systems.
Engage with incoming clients, AD attorneys, and trial attorneys by email and phone to request and provide information on the appeal process and colorable claim requirements to initiate appeals.
Assess and evaluate for attorney review the colorable claims identified in the case referral materials or apparent from the appealable order or judgment for purposes of filing a notice of appeal.
Assist in preparation of cases for appeal by reviewing, organizing, and indexing documents.
Check in transcripts, review for conformity with the notice of appeal and rules, review for references to exhibits or other documents considered by the trial court (including electronically searching each transcript for key terms), ensure that all exhibits to the trial court matter are received by the Court of Appeals and OPDC.
Review, analyze, and draft letters and motions.
Assist with briefing and document preparation by cite-checking and proofreading.
Provide support and coverage of duties for other legal support by managing case transfers.
Serve as paralegal to attorneys on a temporary basis while the attorney’s assigned paralegal is on leave.
Engage in effective team participation with a willingness to assist and support coworkers, supervisors, and other work-related associations.
Develop good working relationships with clients, coworkers, and supervisors by actively participating in office-wide activities and programs and by identifying and resolving problems in a constructive, collaborative manner.
Contribute to a positive, respectful, and productive work environment in a manner that fosters and promotes the importance and value of a diverse, discrimination- and harassment-free workplace.
Respect diversity of opinions, ideas, and cultural differences.
Demonstrate independent and critical thinking.
Other duties as assigned.