PARALEGAL - 40010701 (GLS DIVISION)

Durham County•Durham, NC

13d

About The Position

The purpose of this job is to perform responsible paraprofessional work in assisting the County Attorney’s Office with trials, appeals, investigations, real estate transactions and legal research. This position works under general supervision, independently developing work methods and sequences.

Requirements

General knowledge of legal office practices, procedures, and techniques.
General knowledge of legal terminology.
General knowledge of local law.
Thorough knowledge of departmental functions, organization, and policies.
Thorough knowledge of the principles, methods and practices utilized in legal research.
Advanced ability to perform statutory and case law research using legal search engines such as Lexis and/or Westlaw.
Ability to effectively operate a variety of word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, research, and email software applications.
Ability to draft complex legal documents with minimum to no errors.
Ability to effectively maintain office and legal records.
Ability to be extremely well organized, detail-oriented, and to perform work independently.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the public.
Ability to communicate clearly and logically in both verbal and written forms.
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, changing environment.
Requires an associate degree in Paralegal Studies or closely related field supplemented by two (2) years of experience as a paralegal, legal secretary, legal assistant, or related work; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Paralegal certification or equivalent is required
Notary Public Commission within six (6) months of employment required.

Nice To Haves

Experience in litigation
Experience in Local or State Government law
Experience with NC eFiling (eCourts) system
Experience with PACER

Responsibilities

Performs legal research and investigations, completes specially assigned projects, and manages complex problems and time-constrained tasks with rapid but error-free analyses
Assists County Attorneys in responding to public records requests
Represents Durham County in employment cases before the Employment Security Commission
Drafts, reviews, and analyzes legal documents including complaints, interrogatories, affidavits, motions, notices, subpoenas and jury instructions, and confirms case citations in preparation of filing briefs and motions
Reviews and edits various contracts
Conducts closings for surplus real property sales and other real estate projects
Assists in the drafting and responding to discovery requests such as, but not limited to, interrogatories, requests for admissions, requests for production of documents, etc.
Maintains database and shared hearing schedules
Assists attorneys with case development and trial preparation
Maintains forms, standard operating procedures, and notebooks
Coordinates witnesses and exhibits for court
Serves as liaison between County Attorney’s Office, clients, and the general public
Provides administrative support as needed
Performs related work as assigned