Paralegal

State of Maine•Augusta, ME

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

Capitol Region Public Defenders is seeking a highly motivated individual to fill a paralegal position. The paralegal will provide in-office support to multiple Assistant Defenders with heavy criminal defense caseloads. The paralegal will perform case preparation, investigative and information gathering tasks necessary for providing effective assistance of counsel. The paralegal will draft routine documents such as client correspondence, discovery requests, and motions. The paralegal may also communicate with a wide network of court officials, law enforcement, legal and social agencies, jail and prison officials, as well as clients and their family members. The ideal candidate must be self-directed, organized and accurate, with the ability to work efficiently and independently. The candidate must have strong interpersonal skills when communicating with individuals who are frustrated or under emotional distress. The ideal candidate must have a strong work ethic and ability to manage email traffic in multiple shared inboxes. It is essential that the successful candidate works well as part of a team and adapts well to rapid changes in a fast-paced legal environment.

Requirements

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
Strong interpersonal skills
Ability to manage and process highly confidential and sensitive material
Knowledge of Titles 17-A and 29-A, and the life of a criminal case
Ability to communicate effectively with individuals who may be under emotional distress
Knowledge and skills with Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Pro
Ability to navigate an electronic court filing system and adapt to evolving technology
Ability to write clearly and effectively
Ability to work as a team to foster a positive working environment
Ability to learn case management software and effectively use it
Training, education, or experiences in office and administrative support work that demonstrates competencies in applying a solid knowledge of the principles and practices of law firm, court, or legal services processes with the ability to research complex legal issues and analyze legal problems -OR- graduation from an approved, accredited paralegal program of instruction.

Responsibilities

Supporting busy attorneys and tracking large caseloads
Utilizing Microsoft Office Suite for day-to-day tasks
Managing heavy email traffic across multiple shared inboxes
Maintain communication with clients about court dates, case status, and other matters as directed by Assistant Defenders
Communicate with a wide network of agencies such as the courts, jails/prisons, legal and social agencies, as well as client family members.
Draft routine documents including discovery requests, motions, client correspondence, etc.
Tracking and keeping an accurate calendar of scheduled court dates
Processing incoming court documents and maintaining up to date case files
Process incoming and outgoing mail for Assistant Defenders
Collecting, managing, and organizing discovery including body worn camera footage, dash camera footage, police reports and witness statements, various audio, etc.
Use Adobe Pro to compile documents and electronic discovery binders
Other responsibilities as assigned by the Legal Administrator