Paralegal

Work Unit Overview: The Paralegal works under the supervision of the County Attorney and must maintain an open and customer service-oriented environment, cooperate with other county departments and governmental entities, and keep accurate and timely records.

Job Summary: The Paralegal provides a variety of legal functions for the Madison County Attorney’s Office, requiring the incumbent to work individually as well as with the attorneys and staff. The incumbent performs paralegal and administrative duties involving research and analysis of legal information such as statutes, court decisions, codes, rules regulations and other sources for use by staff attorneys.

Essential Functions (Major Duties or Responsibilities): These duties are the essential functions and are not all inclusive of all duties that the incumbent performs. 

• Maintain and archive files in accordance with office policies and procedures.
• Manage attorney calendars.
• Conduct research and prepare drafts of legal documents and memoranda under the supervision of the County/Deputy County Attorney.
• Review and cite check pleadings.
• Prepare and file court documents.
• Organize and disseminate discovery.
• Assist in preparation for hearings, trials, and meetings by gathering information and legal resources.
• Provide paralegal support at hearings, trials, and depositions.
• Prepare trial notebooks.
• Complete reports, requests for information, and applications.
• Answer and respond to telephone calls.
• Process incoming and outgoing mail.  
• Schedule/coordinate hearings, conference calls, and other appointments.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Non-Essential Functions:

• Attend workshops, seminars, and educational sessions to keep updated on changes in assigned area of departmental responsibility.
• Perform a variety of miscellaneous duties such as office related errands and scheduling and preparing meeting spaces.
• Maintain and troubleshoot computer systems by diagnosing and resolving routine computer equipment and software problems, making minor repairs to copiers and other equipment, and referring problems to other county staff or contractors when needed.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions: The demands and conditions described here are representative of those the employee must meet to perform the essential functions of the job. (see Special Accommodation Statement) 

• Must occasionally lift and/ or move up to 35 pounds. 
• Work occurs in a normal office environment.
• May involve occasional travel to attend meetings, depositions, trainings, and out of jurisdiction hearings/trials.

Other Skills and Abilities: 

The incumbent will have frequent contacts with individuals who are in all stages of legal proceedings, and may encounter situations in which an individual is upset and potentially violent, thus requiring an awareness of one’s environment.

Due to the public nature of the agency, an incumbent in this position should always comport themselves in an honest manner and uphold the ethical standards of the legal profession including respecting the confidential nature of information and records. 

Education and Experience: 

• Associates degree in paralegal studies from an accredited institution or
• Bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies from an accredited college or university; or
• Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from an accredited college or university and completion of no less than 18 semester credits of course work offered by a qualified paralegal studies program; or
• Certification by the National Association of Legal Assistants or National Federation of Paralegal Associations; or
• Has received a high school diploma or its equivalent and has performed not less than 4,800 hours of substantive legal work under the supervision of a licensed lawyer documented by the certification of the lawyer or lawyers under whom the work was done and completed at least five hours of approved continuing legal education in the area of legal ethics and professional responsibility; or
• Has graduated from an accredited law school and has not been disbarred or suspended form the practice of law by any jurisdiction.

The job requires freedom from illegal use of drugs and freedom from use and effects of drugs and alcohol in the workplace.

Must pass a background check.