Paralegal/Senior Paralegal

Description

The Adult Representation Services (ARS) department is seeking multiple Paralegals and/or Senior Paralegals to assist attorneys for a variety of civil proceedings in one of our core practice areas, such as parents in child protection cases, tenants in evictions proceedings, non-custodial parents in child support contempt proceedings, persons subject to guardianship, and individuals facing civil commitment.

ARS provides high-quality, holistic representation to clients experiencing poverty in certain civil matters where appointment of counsel is necessary to protect a fundamental right or to further the county’s mission of reducing disparities and promoting the stability of residents. Paralegals work alongside attorneys and social service staff to support the department’s mission of an equitable defense.Current Hennepin County employees who refer a candidate hired into an open competitive position may be eligible for a $500 referral bonus. For more information visit employee referral program.
Salary range based on qualifications:
Paralegal, Senior: $62,743.94 - $85,888.56 Annually
Paralegal: $48,487.99 - $76,493.41 Annually
Location and hours:
These positions are hybrid and will be performed both on-site in downtown Minneapolis at the Health Services Building located at 525 Portland Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55415, and remote as job duties require. Work hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. While these positions are designated as hybrid, based on current requirements hires must reside in Minnesota or Wisconsin. New employees who are hired into remote or hybrid positions between January 2, 2022 to December 31, 2024, will receive $500 toward the cost of establishing consistent internet connectivity, payable upon completion of 6 months of employment. About these position types: These are full-time, benefit earning positions.These positions are internally classified as a Paralegal or Paralegal, Senior.
Click here to view the Paralegal job classification specification.
Click here to view the Paralegal, Senior job classification specification.
In the Paralegal position, you will:

• Identify, collect, review, and evaluate information to assist attorneys in the determination of appropriateness of legal action, development of legal issues, and preparation of cases.
• Prepare, file and/or serve legal documents, including letters, motions, affidavits, court orders, subpoenas, stipulation and discovery requests, depositions, interview summaries, and trial notebooks. Summarize, organize and assemble facts, records, pleadings, exhibits and other relevant documents for case preparation.
• Conduct research for attorneys on current cases and issues of concern. Gather information from clients and witnesses through interviews and from documents.
• Monitor case files to ensure compliance with appropriate rules and procedures.
• Appear at trial or other court proceedings to assist attorney with referencing and accessing pertinent documents, taking notes of testimony, witness assistance, exhibit coordination.

In the Paralegal, Senior position, you will perform the above duties, as well as:

• Appear at trial or other court proceedings to assist attorney with courtroom technology, referencing and accessing pertinent documents, taking notes of testimony, witness assistance, exhibit coordination, etc.
• Perform duties such as drafting proposals; assist in the development and implementation of administrative policies and procedures for special programs.
• Maintain and analyze statistical data, coordinate the logistics of the department’s conferences and planning meetings; serve as the liaison to the Minnesota Continuing Legal Education Board, and special projects as assigned.

Need to have:
For hire as a Paralegal, one of the following:

• Four years or more of experience performing legal work.
• Associate degree in paralegal studies from an accredited community, business, or technical college with the legal assistant certificate and two or more years of experience performing legal work.
• Bachelor's degree or higher in paralegal studies from an accredited college or university.
• Bachelor's degree or higher in an area related to the position and a certificate from an accredited legal assistant certificate program.

For hire as a Paralegal, Senior:

• Five years or more of experience as a paralegal and one of the following:Four years or more of experience performing legal work.Associate degree in paralegal studies from an accredited educational institution, certification from an accredited legal assistant program and two years of experience performing legal work. Bachelor's degree or higher in paralegal studies from an accredited college or university.Bachelor's degree or higher in a related field and certification from an accredited legal assistant program.

Nice to have:

• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills, accuracy, and attention to detail.
• Experience:Working in a public law office.Using legal case management systems/applications.
• Knowledge of: Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point, Minnesota Court Information System (MNCIS) and Westlaw with the ability to conduct electronic research.Juvenile, civil, social service, and/or criminal justice systems; sources for relevant information; the role of lawyers and paralegals; legal protocol, vocabulary, document indexing, and filing methods.
• Ability to:Prepare and organize materials.Work under pressure during periods of high-volume activity.Provide prompt, polite, and respectful customer service to all persons requesting service.Communicate verbally and in writing in an organized, concise, accurate and on-point manner.Work independently with minimal supervision and the ability to work effectively in a team environment.Analyze facts and evidence; conduct timely and accurate research; analyze and prepare legal documents.Create and maintain filing and cross-indexing systems.Interview and comprehend key points; prepare and organize materials for use by others; manage time; communicate verbally and in writing.