Description

Under the supervision of the Chief Public Defender and Administrator, performs para-professional legal services including legal research and writing, document review, discovery analysis, assistance with supportive legal documents, and client communication. This position uses considerable independent judgement in making decisions requiring the complex interpretation and application of the law. Conducts necessary research and prepares drafts of legal opinions, pleadings, briefs, and other legal documents.

Essential Functions

Assists attorneys with the preparation of legal documents including, but not limited to, briefs, pleadings, appeals, affidavits, witness statements and discovery notices. Assists attorneys in development of defense strategies, case theories, jury selections, and trial proceedings.
Works autonomously and exercises independent judgment while preparing, reviewing and distributing memoranda, correspondence, reports, PowerPoint presentations, forms, and other documents as assigned. Logs and tracks correspondence.
Assists in investigations and information gathering for clients by identifying and engaging with experts, developing timeline outlines, and handling various related tasks.
Remains up-to-date on new/developing laws, forms, and legal information relevant to the representation of the client.
Maintains contact with clients (in and out of custody) and other pertinent individuals regarding legal process, case status, and/or other related information. Exercises confidentiality and uses tact, diplomacy and compassion when addressing clients’ legal needs.
Participates in client meetings, with or without attorneys, to assist with the client relationship. Promotes office/client relationship, collects information and materials, helping to build rapport.
Performs case preparation at the direction of the attorneys.
Reviews, analyzes, and performs redactions of various forms of discovery, medical records, and other forms of communication.
Participates in conflict screening to ensure the office does not violate ethics.
Drafts various legal documents including correspondence, motions, and other pleadings necessary to move cases toward resolution competently and in compliance with all legal requirements and deadlines. Presents statements of fact, law and basic arguments clearly, logically and concisely. Files pleadings and other legal documents with courts or administrative agencies; possesses knowledge and ability to e-file documents in all courts.
Logically and accurately reads, understands, analyzes, and interprets applicable statutes, court decisions, ordinances, court rules, codes, laws, policies, procedures, and other legal documents, and applies to assignments.
Reviews, analyzes, and summarizes legal and technical documents related to cases, including but not limited to, criminal backgrounds, police reports, out-of-state documents, medical records, CPS records (Child Protective Service), FOIA records (Freedom of Information Act), school documents, Registers of Action, transcripts, Center for Forensic Psychiatry evaluations, and Michigan State Police laboratory reports.
Ensures that case management systems and document management systems are updated in a timely manner reflecting actions taken by the employee.
Assists in coordination of researching and identifying outside support (expert witnesses, additional investigators, etc.) with other staff members.
Researches and analyzes legal or factual issues using legal databases and books, and provides findings to attorneys.
Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with court staff, officers of the court, judicial system employees, and the public.
Trains new employees as required.

Other Functions

Performs other duties as assigned.
May be responsible for mentorship and supervision of legal interns.
Manages multiple tasks, set priorities and meets deadlines consistent with time pressures and high volumes of work.
Provides administrative assistance such as preparation of case statistic reports, case summaries, and other reports as requested by management.
Maintains and operates computerized database for docket control, case management, calendaring, and litigation support.
Attends legal seminars, training classes, and position orientated meetings on and off site.
Must adhere to departmental standards in regard to HIPAA and other privacy issues.
During a public health emergency, the employee may be required to perform duties similar to, but not limited to, those in his/her job description.

(An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the above tasks. These examples do not include all of the tasks which the employee may be expected to perform.)

Employment Qualifications

Education/Experience: Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice or a related area of study, or a minimum of three to five years of relevant experience in a law firm, office, or court is required. Paralegal certification is strongly preferred.

Other Requirements

Must have and maintain a valid State of Michigan driver’s license.
Uses personal vehicle to perform tasks outside the office.
Notary Public preferred.
Knowledge of:
- Principles and practices of criminal law applicable to practice as a paralegal.
- Principles, practices, and techniques of legal research and writing.
- Methods and techniques of effective interviewing and investigation.
- Legal forms and the content required for filing cases.
- Standard business software and specialized legal software and programs.
- Correct English usage including spelling, grammar and punctuation, practices of legal communication
Effective customer service practices and techniques

Demonstrates effective communication skills by engaging, interacting and working with individuals from various cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, disability status’, ages, LGBTQIA+ status’ and genders to ensure clarity and understanding in all interactions.

(The qualifications listed above are intended to represent the minimum skills and experience levels associated with performing the duties and responsibilities contained in this job description. The qualifications should not be viewed as expressing absolute employment or promotional standards, but as general guidelines that should be considered along with other job-related selection or promotional criteria.)

Requirements and Working Conditions

Working Conditions

This position works in an indoor environment. There is no planned exposure to prominent lights, noises, odors, temperatures or weather conditions.
This position is exposed to individuals in crisis. These individuals may suffer from mental or emotional illness, have violent tendencies or be unconcerned with their personal safety and hygiene.
This position is required to travel for meetings and appointments. Some appointments may be held at personal residences where levels of cleanliness and safety vary.

Mental Demands

While performing these duties, an employee will use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data; information and documents; analyze and solve problems; observe and interpret people and situations; learn and apply new information and skills; perform highly detailed work; deal with changing deadlines, interruptions and concurrent tasks; and interact with others encountered in the course of work, including contact with the public.

Physical Requirements

This position requires the ability to sit, stand, walk, traverse, climb, balance, twist, bend, stoop/crouch, squat, kneel, crawl, lift, carry, push, pull, reach, grasp, handle, pinch, type, endure repetitive movements of the wrists, hands or fingers.
This position’s physical requirements require periodic stamina in traversing, climbing, balancing, stooping/crouching, squatting, kneeling, crawling, grasping, handling and pinching.
This position’s physical requirements require regular stamina in walking, twisting, bending, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, and reaching.
This position’s physical requirements require continuous stamina in sitting, standing, typing and enduring repetitive movements of the wrists, hands or fingers.
This position performs medium work requiring the ability to exert between 20-50 pounds of force in the physical requirements above.
This position primarily requires close visual acuity to perform tasks within arm’s reach such as: viewing a computer screen, using measurement devices, inspecting and assembling parts, etc.
This position requires the ability to communicate and respond to inquiries both in person and over the phone.
This position requires the ability to operate a PC/laptop and to enter and retrieve information from a computer.
This position requires the ability to handle varying and often high levels of stress.

(This job requires the ability to perform the essential functions contained in this description. These include, but are not limited to, the requirements listed above. Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified applicants unable to fulfill one or more of these requirements.)

ICEA County Prof 7

January 2024

This position is benefited and is subject to the iCEA COUNTY PROFESSIONAL GROUP CBA.

Ingham County offers a wide range of benefits to support you in your career. View the Benefits page for more information.

The current group contract can be viewed here.

01

Do you have an Associate's Degree or higher level degree in Criminal Justice or related field of study, or do you have a minimum of three to five years of relevant experience in a law firm, office, or court?

02

Please indicate what degree you have and what it is in, if not applicable type N/A.

03

Do you have a Paralegal certification?

04

How many years of relevant experience in a law firm, office or court do you have?

6 months of experience
1 year of experience
2 years of experience
3 years of experience
4+ years of experience

05

Please briefly describe your experience in a law firm, office or court, if not applicable type N/A. (Do not type see resume)

06

Did you submit your cover letter and resume?

07

Did you submit your transcripts or diploma showing your degree awarded, if not applicable type N/A.

08

If you have a Paralegal certification did you submit, if not applicable type N/A?

09

Please list 3 people who have direct knowledge of your skills, experience and fitness for the position or field for which your applying for. Please include their name, email address and phone number.

Required Question

Ingham County

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Paralegal – Office of the Public Defender