Paralegal

Serves as a paralegal for the Juvenile Public Defender, while working under the supervision of Assistant Juvenile Public Defenders. Provides routine legal research support. Screens, reviews, analyzes and organizes case-related material required for Court presentations. Drafts motions and orders. Drafts various pleadings, discovery, motions, affidavits, and subpoenas.

This is the first in a series of two paralegal-related job classifications within the Administrative Support job family. This classification is distinguished from the Paralegal Senior in that incumbents do not supervise other Paralegals or serve as the primary agent in the research and drafting of legal memoranda on substantive and procedural legal topics. Sensitivity to detail and confidentiality. Customer and client contact. This classification may require work in secure facilities.

• Prepares and organizes pretrial case materials. Retrieves information from computer to assist case documentation. Coordinates discovery and other requests. Drafts discovery responses and objections in assigned cases.
• Reviews, screens, and analyses case-related materials for assigned cases and provides summary of facts to assigned attorneys. Processes documents, including preparation, filing and issuance of information. Assists with sealing clients' records. 
• Assists attorney(s) in preparation for depositions, trials, Court and pre-trial hearings. Coordinates witness appearance in all Court proceedings. Investigates facts, files pleadings and orders. Drafts correspondence, conducts legal research, prepares files, subpoenas and other legal documents, as required. May appear in court with attorneys to take notes and follow up on items requested. Files documents with the courts. 
• Responds to inquiries related to the cases pending and returns messages for assigned attorneys. Communicates with office staff, prosecutors and staff, Court Clerks and personnel, probation staff and other Travis County employees. Contacts witnesses and expert witnesses, as required. Interviews witnesses and prepares summaries. Receives and responds to open records requests.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Paralegal Studies, Public Administration, Business Administration or a directly related field AND two (2) years experience as a paralegal;

OR,

Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Paralegal Certificate from a professionally recognized Paralegal/Legal Assistant program.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations and guidelines.
• Law office management and administration.
• Policies, practices, procedures and legal terminology related to Court system.
• Discovery process.
• Current legal trends in the interaction of law and professional ethics.
• Statistical and record keeping applications, including databases and spreadsheets.
• Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.
• May be required to develop knowledge of and adhere to federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information.

Skill in:

• Acquiring, maintaining, organizing, analyzing and summarizing case evidence.
• Understanding legal terminology and English grammar.
• Case file examination for documentation accuracy.
• Operating a variety of modern office equipment, including a computer.
• Both verbal and written communication.

Ability to:

• Accurately and succinctly summarize legal information.
• Perform legal research.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with County employees and officials, judges, attorneys, Court personnel, other participants in the civil justice system, representatives of outside agencies, and the general public.

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 20-50 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to sitting, client/customer contact, standing, walking, vision to monitor, repetitive motion, stooping/kneeling, squatting, bending, and reaching to perform the essential functions.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Location: 1010 Lavaca St, Austin, TX 78701, USA

Department: Juvenile Public Defender

Criminal Background Checks Required. 

For updates or questions on this position, contact [email protected]. 

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.