This position encompasses work of varying degrees of difficulty and responsibility performed under supervision of supervisory legal assistant staff, attorneys, and/or higher level staff which may include but is not limited to the following: Conducts file reviews and provides guidance regarding the proper handling of cases; Formulates legal strategy by initially determining whether other parties will be implead, whether settlement efforts will be pursued, or whether a motion made; Draft legal documents such as Answers, Demands for Discovery, Bill of Particulars, Demand for a Change of Venue, Demand for Complaint, Response to Notices to Admit, and motions to dismiss; Prepares letters and memoranda for insurance takeovers Investigate and assist in the preparation for trial of less serious claims for and against the City. Secures evidence by interviewing interested parties, witnesses, officers and other persons involved. Assist attorneys by preparing and processing subpoenas, motions, affidavits, legal notices and /or other forms and papers which related to legal proceedings and transactions. Assist in obtaining, reviewing, updating and maintaining physical and electronic case files. Obtains, collects, assembles, and reviews records and data for attorneys. Perform legal research as well as database and site searches. Submit, obtains and files documents from various courts and/or City agencies throughout the City. May check records and request adjournments to various courts. Preparing discovery materials for production. Performing routine administrative duties when necessary including: photocopying, filing, scanning, archiving, data entry, indexing, reserving conference rooms, and managing attorneys' calendars. Some of the physical activities performed and environmental conditions experienced include lifting and carrying boxes and files; climbing stairs; and traveling throughout the City on all types of public transportation, and/or walking in all kinds of weather, often carrying files.
To be acceptable, experience in paralegal (legal assistant) services must have involved the American Legal System.
Experience which is primarily legal secretarial or includes only incidental paralegal (legal assistant) services is not acceptable.
Special Note: Individuals must have one additional year of pertinent paralegal experience or have a baccalaureate degree in addition to the requirements listed above to be eligible for placement in Assignment Level II duties and pay of Paralegal Aide.
New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.
2.Candidates must possess these Additional Qualification Requirements for Level 2: A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and either (a) 1 year of full-time satisfactory experience acquired in the United States, in the performance of paralegal (legal assistant) services; or (b) Paralegal Certification obtained in the United States from an accredited program or a program approved by the American Bar Association; or A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college including or supplemented by a combination of 12 semester credits in U.S. History, U.S. Political Science, U.S. Law, U.S. Paralegal Studies, U.S. Criminal Justice, U.S. Urban Studies, International Relations and/or U.S. Legal Studies; or An associate degree or completion of 60 credits from an accredited college and three years of full-time satisfactory experience acquired in the United States, in the performance of paralegal (legal assistant) services; or A four year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a State's Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization and five years of full-time satisfactory experience acquired in the United States, in the performance of paralegal (legal assistant) services. Experience which is primarily legal secretarial or includes only incidental paralegal (legal assistant) services is not acceptable. To be acceptable, experience in paralegal (legal assistant) services must have involved the American Legal System.