Paralegal - Prince William

Virginia Information Technologies Agency•Prince William, VA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Virginia Defenders- Indigent Defense Commission is seeking to fill the Paralegal position with a candidate who will serve our mission of protecting and defending the rights and dignity of our clients through zealous, compassionate, high-quality legal advocacy. The IDC’s Prince William Public Defender Office has an opening for a Paralegal who is committed to advocating on behalf of indigent clients and who is committed to our mission of protecting and defending the rights and dignity of our clients through zealous, compassionate, high-quality legal advocacy. The Paralegal will provide support for attorneys, investigators, and mitigation specialists in the Public Defender’s Office. The paralegal reports to the Chief Public Defender of the Prince William office and is employed at-will. This position includes a local salary supplement.

Requirements

A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
Strong analytical skills and demonstrated ability to organize and analyze complex information.
Strong written and verbal communication skills,
Excellent proofreading skills and attention to detail.
Ability to manage a large caseload in various stages of the administrative/legal process.
Ability to perform legal research.
Ability to work independently with limited supervision.
Ability to demonstrate initiative in meeting deadlines and goals.
The ability to learn and accept constructive criticism is important as well as the ability to respond quickly and effectively in addressing issues and questions.
Teamwork is highly valued in this office, and the qualified applicant will have demonstrated proficiency in working with others as a member of a criminal defense team to achieve successful outcomes for clients.
The qualified applicant will demonstrate a commitment to these values.
A valid driver’s license and the means to travel to all courts and regional jails are required.

Nice To Haves

Paralegal certification from an ABA-accredited program, or paralegal experience including conducting legal research will be strongly considered.
Familiarity with service providers in and around the county of Prince William, including service providers for substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, medical treatment, homelessness, ID/DD, and other social services, or a strong desire and motivation to develop that familiarity.
Knowledge of social services practices and procedures as well as the laws, regulations, and guidelines governing social services functions in the county of Prince William or a strong desire and motivation to develop that knowledge.
Strong communication skills and a well-developed ability to assess client needs in a variety of areas including treatment, housing, employment, transportation, medical services, and other areas of social need.
Candidates who are fluent in both Spanish and English will be strongly considered.

Responsibilities

Conduct legal research using Lexis/Nexis and draft basic legal memorandums, motions and other pleadings.
Assist with trial preparation such as social media research, witness preparation and creation of demonstrable evidence for trials.
Download, review and transcribe discovery provided by the Commonwealth and review and summarize other records relevant to cases.
Review and catalog Body Worn Camera footage, in office and in the jail, with clients and memorialize work for attorneys’ review.
Review other video/media discovery for attorney review.
Utilize different systems and tools to digest large volumes of discovery and other materials effectively and consistent with VIDC policies and requirements.
Assist defense expert witnesses to navigate court expenses and billing procedures.
Assist with initial client interviews and bond hearings, to include securing substance use and mental health placements and communicating with client support networks to facilitate attorney arguments for bond before the courts.
Maintain a file organization structure which includes legal research, motions, and other details of defense team work product.
Communicate with clients and witnesses under tight deadlines but consistently in a client-centered way.
Other duties as assigned.