Paralegal (SR-20)

Posting number: R-12325

Department: Department of the Corporation Counsel

Job classification: PARALEGAL

Posting type: Open

Categories: Legal, Paraprofessional

Summary

Performs paralegal work which require substantial judgment and discretion in the application of knowledge of legal procedures and practices and laws in support of attorneys; establishes evidence and develops cases; performs legal research; prepares drafts, outlines or summaries of legal subjects, laws, statutes, briefs and other legal documents; and performs other related duties as required.
 
Distinguishing Characteristics:
 
This class is distinguished by its responsibility to independently conduct legal research, gather facts and evidence, develop cases, prepare drafts of legal documents and correspondence; and perform other paralegal work in assisting attorneys in providing legal services.

Examples of duties

The following are examples of duties and are not necessarily descriptive of any one position in this class. The omission of specific duties statements does not preclude management from assigning such duties if such duties are a logical assignment for the position.
 
Performs legal research and prepares summaries of specific decisions, laws, statutes, legal subject, etc.; verifies and updates cited case laws, statutes and other legal authorities; writes first drafts and/or outlines of briefs, memos, legal opinions, stipulations, orders and other legal documents; explains legal procedures, requirements and interpretations based on precedents and discussions with attorneys to employees of the County; assures proper evidencing in support of the County's position; interviews witnesses and appropriate personnel to verify evidence, obtains written statements when possible and gets cooperation for judicial proceedings; indexes and organizes depositions and other trial material; may prepare drafts of new or amendatory legislation and rules; assists attorneys in court by coordinating the presentation of exhibits and witnesses and by preparing witnesses for testimony; monitors compliance to decisions, stipulations and orders; reviews legal decisions, opinions, rulings and other legal material to keep abreast of legal developments; provides preliminary legal consultation to employees, departments, agencies, etc., and other legal work normally performed by attorneys, except duties that may constitute the unauthorized practice of law.

Qualifications

Training and Experience:  (1) A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration or a related field and one year of experience in legal assistant/paralegal work that included interviewing, legal research, evaluation and analysis of legal issues, preparation of legal reports, documents and correspondence; or (2) six years of progressively responsible experience in legal assistant/paralegal work that included interviewing, legal research, evaluation and analysis of legal issues, preparation of legal reports, documents and correspondence, one of which shall have been for the County of Maui.
 
License Requirement:  Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator's license (Type 3).
 
Knowledge of:  interviewing techniques; rules and evidence; legal system and procedures; legal research methods and sources of legal information.
 
Ability  to:  understand and explain legal processes and procedures; recognize and avoid potential problems in the unauthorized practice of law; read and understand laws statutes, rules and legal documents; evaluate and analyze facts and legal issues; prepares legal reports, documents and correspondence; speak clearly; follow oral and written instructions; and deal tactfully and effectively with others.

Health and Physical Condition:

Persons seeking appointment to positions in this class must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper for performance of the duties.
 
Physical Effort Grouping:  Light