Paralegal

SUMMARY

The paralegal provides administrative and secretarial support to the Solicitor for the Board, ensuring that the attorney has everything they need to defend the Board's decisions and advise the department on legal compliance .

This includes legal research, ensuring the preparation and timely filing of all pleadings and other documents, and assisting in the smooth, professional operation of the legal department.

The paralegal should also be capable of gaining the knowledge required to summarize legal matters and possible implications of departmental actions, to aid the attorney in providing sound advice to the department.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Paralegal is in daily contact and works closely with the Solicitor to the Board of Assessment Appeals.

More specifically, the Paralegal :

• Prepares initial drafts of basic pleadings and other legal documents for the attorney's review and revision.
• Ensures the timely filing of all legal documents at the attorney's direction, monitors list of new cases and processing of court settlements.
• Prepares and files all papers and pleadings with the Prothonotary's office and / or Court Administrator's office, mailing copies to all attorneys and any third parties involved.

This includes maintaining a reminder system for important deadlines.

Conducts legal research using Westlaw and documentary sources as directed by the attorney for the Board and also monitors changes in local and Pennsylvania court procedural rules.

Excellent interpersonal skills and communication are important because the paralegal is in daily contact with attorneys, public officials, and the public.

• Organizes the entire hearing process for all real estate exemption applications which includes initial receipt and review of each application, scheduling, preparing a summary of each application to the attorney for the Board and processing hearing notices and decisions.
• In addition to these duties, the paralegal is expected to organize case files to ensure that the attorney for the Board has all relevant information necessary to defend the Board's decisions in court.
• The attorney for the Board provides advice to the entire department on legal-compliance. Therefore, the paralegal will become familiar with the various functions of the department, and their legal underpinnings, in order to assist the attorney with gathering all information required to give sound advice to the department.
• Occasionally, the paralegal will fill in for the front desk receptionists, directing calls and providing assistance to attorneys and the general public.
• The Paralegal assists with special projects throughout the office, as directed by the attorney.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully , an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily . The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and / or ability required .

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function.

• Must have a professional demeanor and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Excellent interpersonal , oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain a schedule and monitor deadlines.
• Must have strong organizational skills and be detail-oriented.
• Ability to set objectives to reach goals and work well under pressure.
• Strong secretarial skills (working knowledge of MS Office Word products (Word, Excel , Outlook) .
• Experience using Westlaw or Lexis computer - assisted legal research systems.
• Ability to perform legal research.
• Previous office experience required as either legal secretary or paralegal;
• Paralegal certificate or substantial completion of paralegal certification program ;
• Understanding of legal process and administrative appeal process.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, stand, stoop, bend, reach, pull, push, lift, finger, feel grasp, talk, see, hear, and perform repetitive motions.

The ability to remain in a sitting position for extended periods of time. Operating office equipment requiring continuous or repetitive hand / arm, fingers, and wrists movements.

Move and lift light objects up to 30 pounds such as files, supplies and mail. There are a number of deadlines associated with this position, which may cause significant stress.

WORK ENVIRONMENT : The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
3 days ago