Legal Assistant (Paralegal) - Law Department Blight Section (Administrative Special Services)

LAW DEPARTMENT - BLIGHT SECTION

LEGAL ASSISTANT / PARALEGAL

Established by the Detroit City Charter, the Law Department is an independent agency that represents the interests of the City of Detroit as a corporate body. The Department is headed by the Corporation Counsel, whose mission is to provide a variety of legal services to the City, its elected officials, departments, agencies, offices, commissions, and boards, as well as its individual employee, in their official capacity.

The Department has dozens of attorneys, specializing in various areas, who provide legal advice, opinions, and counsel to clients; defend all legal actions against the City; prosecute violations of State law and/or City Ordinances on behalf of the people of the City of Detroit.

• Draft legal documents and correspondence include but not limited to briefs, pleadings, stipulations, discovery requests, and other legal documents.
• Locate property owners and resident agents, research facts to obtain necessary information.
• Locate, collect, organize, review, and summarize documents.
• Maintain databases of actions, information, or processes in Excel or Smartsheet.
• Assist attorneys in preparing for hearings, including scheduling, organization of documents, data, and witnesses, providing information as needed, and identification and compilation of trial exhibits.
• Maintain and operate computerized databases for docket control, case management, calendaring, and litigation support purposes.
• Provide administrative assistance such as preparation of case statistic reports, case summaries, blight litigation activity reports and other reports as requested by management.
• File pleadings and other legal documents with courts or administrative agencies; e-file documents in all courts; file property or tax liens.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Successful completion of an American Bar Association approved paralegal/legal studies programs and three years of work experience as a Legal Assistant.

-OR-

• An Associate degree with a specialization in paralegal studies form an American Bar Association approved institution and two years of work experience as a Legal Assistant.

-OR-

• Bachelor’s degree with a specialization in paralegal studies, legal studies, or legal administration from an American Bar Association-approved institution, and six months of work experience as a Legal Assistant.

LICENSE, CERTIFICATION AND OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Valid State of Michigan Operator License.

EQUIVALENCY 

• Equivalent combinations of education and experience that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be evaluated on an individual basis.

• Administrative Special Services  (Interview)

ABILITY TO:

• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Proofread and edit correspondence and legal documents for accurate grammar, spelling, and punctuation usage.
• Identify and solve complex problems.
• Determine work priorities. 
• Organize work and establish priorities.
• Assist in establishing client relations.
• Effectively manage time.
• Follow instructions.
• Maintain composure during stressful situations occurring because of workloads and/or deadlines.
• Interact effectively with the public and departmental personnel with tact and diplomacy.

KNOWLEDGE OF

• Research and analysis methods.
• Legal practices and procedures.
• Microsoft Office Suites.

SKILL IN:

• Interpreting instructions and guidelines to make decisions and take necessary action(s).
• Preparing a variety of legal-related documents.
• Use of technology as a tool to provide support to attorneys.

Candidates considered for placement in this classification may be subject to a Criminal Background Investigation based on the requirements of the position.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to the class.  Incumbents may be required to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification.  Specific job duties may vary from position to position.  The City of Detroit is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  No applicant for employment shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or other criteria prohibited by City, State, or Federal law.