POSITION SUMMARY

Senior Paralegal will perform highly complex paralegal work involving legal research studies and prepare comprehensive interpretive reports with recommended solutions. Participate in research, investigations, and preparation for litigation and/or trial proceedings in support of the County Legal Department.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES SUMMARY

• Draft complex pleadings, statements, affidavits and/or other legal documentation at the specific direction of attorneys.
• Conduct factual investigations and prepare necessary affidavits and documents to support attorney' litigation efforts.
• Draft and review documents, including contracts, settlement agreements and other legal documents and forward to appropriate entity or person.
• Schedule depositions and; maintain calendar of court appearances for attorneys; maintain and monitor legal files.
• Conduct interviews to assist attorneys with litigation, arbitration and mediation.
• Perform legal research; gather review evidence and analyze documents, summarize, and evaluate as to legal impact; determine importance of witnesses, conduct investigations and summarize information for presentation to attorney.
• May be responsible for pre-trial support, discovery, document and witness control and preparation.
• Prepare responses to discovery requests and appeals.
• Prepare and organize case files for hearing or trial, including exhibit and preliminary investigations.
• Determine documentation to release to opposing counsel.
• Attend and participate in strategy meetings; provides input to attorneys.
• Provide paralegal assistance to outside counsel and/or other administrative agencies.
• Provide leadership, training, professional guidance and support to lower level staff.
• Perform other job-related duties as required or assigned.

• The above information on this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities required of all employees assigned to this job.

• Associate degree in Paralegal Studies or related field, plus three (3) years of work experience as a Paralegal. OR a High School diploma or GED and a combination of post-secondary education related to the legal field and five (5) years of work experience as a Paralegal. A Paralegal certificate from an accredited institution or accreditation national associate may substitute for one (1) year of work experience.
• National certification as a legal assistant or paralegal from an accredited national association preferred.
• Completion of professional development courses totaling sixteen (16) hours related to document retention or legal processes.
• Must have the ability to draft legal contracts, agreements and settlement procedures and documents.
• Must have knowledge of legal terminology, documents common to a legal office, legal procedures and various court systems.
• Must have knowledge of the principles and procedures of legal research and the knowledge of current and developing legal issues and trends in area of expertise.
• Must have the ability to provide leadership, training and professional expertise to lower level employees.
• Must have the ability to conduct investigations, obtain witness statements, conduct interviews and assist attorneys with litigation, arbitration and mediation.
• Must have the ability to work independently and resourcefully with minimum supervision.
• Must have the ability to maintain confidentiality and to deal tactfully with clients and third parties.
• Must have the ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written English.
• Must have the ability to interact professionally with the public and co-workers.

SCREENING AND COMPLIANCE

The offer of this Bernalillo County position requires compliance with the following:

• Employee must successfully complete the post-offer employment medical examination.
• Employee must comply with the safety guidelines of the County.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• All essential duties are performed indoors.
• Duties are performed in a temperature-controlled environment.
• Duties are performed on an even surface, which may be carpeted or tile. Working surface is typically dry.
• Worker often works alone both with and without directions from supervisor.

EQUIPMENT, TOOLS AND MATERIALS

• Equipment typically used in the performance of office duties include telephone, computer terminal, computer printer, computer keyboard, typewriter, photocopy machine, fax machine, Dictaphone and calculator.
• Materials and products handled in the course of performing essential duties include files, forms, reports, various other paperwork, and a wide variety of basic office supplies.

Bernalillo County is an equal opportunity employer