SENIOR SPECIALIST - LEGAL SERVICES

Orange County Public Schools•Orlando, FL

11d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is allocated and designed to assist the attorneys in the District General Counsel’s office in performing advanced, substantive legal work requiring specialized knowledge of legal concepts, procedures, and research methodologies by conducting legal research, preparing drafts of legal documents, managing case files, coordinating investigations, supporting public records compliance, and assisting with investigations, and providing litigation, transactional and governance support. This position requires independent judgment and discretion, strong analytical skills, and the ability to manage sensitive data and information in a fast-paced K-12 environment.

Requirements

An Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Paralegal Studies, Legal Studies, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and related work experience.
Minimum of four (4) years of current, continuous experience as a paralegal or legal assistant in a law firm, government legal setting, or judicial office.
Demonstrated working knowledge of legal document preparation in transactional and litigation matters.
Proficiency in the use of appropriate technology, including case management software.
Working knowledge of legal data, information, and research resources; legal terminology, format, principles of litigation procedures, including an understanding of the litigation lifecycle, including discovery, motion practice, administrative hearings, trial preparation, and compliance with federal, state, and local court rules.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite, case management software, and federal, state, and regulatory agency filing systems.
Working knowledge of document management practices, including organizing, indexing, and maintaining large volumes of case materials, contracts, and administrative records.
Proficiency in preparing legal documents such as pleadings, motions, discovery requests, and subpoenas.
Familiarity with transactional documents, such as contracts, purchase and sale agreements, deeds, leases, estoppels, and closing binders.
Knowledge of the processes and sources for obtaining public records, including court records, property records, and zoning information.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including drafting, editing, and proofreading.
High-level organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to assess case information and identify missing data or information and ensure accuracy.
Proficiency in managing large volumes of documents and data.
Strong attention to detail.
Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment.
Ability to compile and analyze pertinent data and information into a clear, concise form for attorney review.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Ability to use independent judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting organizational rules, judicial rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet strict deadlines.
Ability to adapt to shifting priorities and handle fast‑paced workloads.
Ability to maintain professionalism and discretion with sensitive information.
Ability to identify issues proactively and propose practical solutions.
Ability to work under general direction with no direct supervision.
Demonstrates initiative in the performance of assigned responsibilities.

Responsibilities

Manifests a professional code of ethics and values.
Responds to internal and external customers in a timely, accurate, courteous, and empathetic manner, representing OCPS in a positive light.
Models the routine, intentional, and effective use of technology in daily work, including communications, organization, and management tasks.
Conducts research using statutes, regulations, legal opinions, court rulings, and administrative guidance via conventional and computer-based methods.
Drafts, reviews, compares, and/or finalizes drafts of documents, including, but not limited to, correspondence, pleadings, discovery, motions, other court-related documents or filings, contracts, policies, resolutions, or other school district documents as directed by the attorney and identifies revisions or inconsistencies for attorney review.
Prepares templates and standardized forms to support attorney workflows.
Assists attorneys with fact-finding, including gathering documents, organizing evidence, and preparing timelines.
Conduct interviews under attorney direction and prepare interview summaries.
Maintains investigation files in accordance with district procedures and legal requirements.
Coordinates with district departments to ensure timely and accurate production of records.
Redacts confidential or exempt information in accordance with state law.
Assists attorneys with case preparation, including organizing discovery, preparing exhibits, and coordinating document production.
Tracks litigation deadlines, hearings, and filing requirements.
Prepares and organizes exhibit notebooks for hearings; may assist attorneys during legal hearings.
Manages attorney calendars, deadlines, and case-related schedules.
Maintains legal databases, matter files, and document repositories.
Handles administrative tasks, including answering telephones, scheduling meetings, appointments, travel arrangements, filing, copying, etc., as needed.
Prepare all materials, i.e., overheads, handouts, for presentations by attorney(s).
Assists attorney(s) in all phases of legal research, background investigations, and case management.
Gathers and analyzes information; indexes various materials that have been compiled.
Prepares subpoenas and motions and conducts legal research relating to pleading and motion practice.
Prepares trial notebooks of witness data, exhibits, and legal authority.
Organize and prepare exhibits and arrange the attendance of witnesses at trials, hearings, and arbitrations.
Interviews staff and other witnesses, who may be affiliated with a particular case or matter in pending claims against the district; summarizes and reports findings to the attorney.
Coordinates the scheduling of administrative hearings for student disciplinary hearings, including preparatory witness meetings and evidence review.
Assists in providing technical support for various district departments and schools concerning legal issues, such as custody issues.
Analyzes records, documents, and facts gathered in preparation for depositions, arbitrations, trials, and administrative hearings.
Opens, organizes, and maintains both physical case/matter files and those maintained via any electronic case management system(s).
Responsible for managing and maintaining the attorney’s calendar and deadlines, scheduling all appointments, tracking work in progress, and monitoring cases through final disposition.
Serves as an ambassador for OCPS and the District General Counsel’s Office in communications with parents and community members, representatives of other organizations, and staff.
May be responsible for interaction with union members, local/state/federal authorities, regarding grievances, legislation, regulations, and lawsuits that involve district employees and students.
Support major and manage minor projects as assigned.
Follow the District’s policies and procedures as related to all HRMD guidelines and the District’s instructional initiatives.
Follow the District’s policies and procedures as related to fixed assets.
Develop leadership in subordinates
Responsible for keeping up to date on current technology being used by OCPS. With the support of the district, attends training to ensure skill level in various technologies is at the level required to perform in current position.
Responsible for maintaining timely and accurate information and accountable for the quality of information maintained by those they supervise.
Responsible for self-development and keeping up-to-date on current research, trends, and best practices relevant to the area of responsibility.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by supervisor.