Paralegal

Posting Date:


9/29/26

Department:


Law Department

Job Code:


M1003 (ID#1881)

Salary Plan/Grade:


S375-119

Number of Hours Per Week:


37.5

Additional Work Hours Information:


Union Affiliation:


# of openings:


1

Type of Employment:


Regular

Civil Service Type:


None

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Law Department is responsible for providing legal representation and advice to the City and its officials in numerous areas of law, including but not limited to: zoning, environmental, employment, civil rights, contracts, tax, real estate, and torts involving personal injury and property damage claims. The Law Department's Paralegal provides support services to the Department's attorneys. The Paralegal assists in a variety of matters including litigation, claims, transactional matters, public records requests and administrative matters. The Paralegal reports to the Deputy City Solicitor, but may be working on projects for any of the Law Department's attorneys.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Investigate, analyze, evaluate and make recommendations regarding all manner of damages claims and complaints filed against the City and/or City officials.
• Drafts pleadings, motions, discovery requests/responses, releases, contracts and real estate documents for attorney review.
• Assist with discovery, particularly electronic discovery, and the organization, case management, collection, review and production of documents obtained from litigants and City departments and maintained in electronic databases.
• Perform legal research and draft research memoranda as requested.
• Prepare and file proof of claim in taxpayer bankruptcy cases.
• Coordinate the gathering of any documents from other City departments which are applicable to cases.
• Process subpoenas for records and coordinate the attendance of City employees at depositions and court proceedings.
• Assist with appeals, including the assembling of the record and conducting fact and legal citation checking in legal briefs.
• Assist with drafting and implementing litigation holds across various City departments.
• Prepares filing documents and ensures compliance with Superior Court Rule 9A.
• Assist in case preparation, pretrial and trial preparation, both in and outside the courtroom, including, but not limited to, locating witnesses and creating and assembling exhibits.
• Assist the City's Public Records Access Officer and Assistant Public Records Access Officer in responding to public records requests as needed.
• Maintain legal opinion and contract files/databases.
• Provides backup with answering telephones and interfacing with members of the public visiting the office.
• Assist with invoice tracking, vendor coordination, and outside counsel documentation
• Perform related work as required.

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

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in related field or equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience.
• At least three (3) years of paralegal or similar experience assisting in review, research and compliance with laws, rules, and regulations under attorney supervision, either in a law firm or a corporate or public entity's law department.
• Paralegal Certificate preferred.
• Municipal or other government background preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to work as part of a diverse team, build collaborative relationships within teams across the organization, and provide excellent customer service.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to juggle multiple projects with different priorities and deadlines.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (including but not limited to Word, Outlook, and Excel) and Westlaw and/or Lexis Nexis.
• Working knowledge of legal terminology, the legal process, federal laws, Massachusetts general laws, court rules, rules of civil procedure and appellate procedure.
• Working knowledge of the principals, methods, materials, and practices of legal research and investigation.
• Ability to analyze and assist in the preparation of legal documents and instruments.
• Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with department colleagues, municipal officials and the general public.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality of sensitive legal, personnel, and investigative information
• Experience with e-file systems (MA eFileMA, federal CM/ECF, or similar platforms)

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Works under the supervision of the Deputy City Solicitor and support Department attorneys and staff on various projects.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Does not exercise formal supervisory authority; may provide functional guidance and training to interns or temporary staff as assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in a standard office environment with fluorescent lighting, carpeted floors, and air conditioning. Attendance at meetings is required, including occasional evening meetings at various locations throughout the City of Cambridge.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Requires the ability to use a computer to access, input, and retrieve information, travel throughout the City of Cambridge to various meetings and sites, and lift up to 25 pounds.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Please upload the following documents to complete your application:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

The City of Cambridge's workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.


COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY

The City of Cambridge is committed to providing fair, transparent, and competitive compensation to all employees. The salary range listed in this job posting reflects the full range for this position's pay grade (Steps 1-10). New employees joining the organization are hired within the hiring range, Steps 1 through 5, with placement at the midpoint reserved for the most qualified candidates. Starting placement is based on directly related education and experience relative to the minimum qualifications of the position, required licenses or certifications, internal equity with current employees, and relevant labor market factors. Employees progress through the 10 steps over time through the City's established step and pay progression policies.

This compensation philosophy applies to non-union positions. For union positions, please refer to the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

Current City employees applying to another position should refer to the Compensation & Classification Manual for the policies governing promotions, lateral transfers, and other internal salary changes.

ABOUT THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE

The City of Cambridge is a diverse and vibrant community that 120,000 residents of different ethnic, racial, religious, U.S. nationals and other backgrounds call home. We take pride in our City's diversity and strive to create a workplace that is reflective of the community we serve -- one in which all employees can thrive. The City is also deeply committed to creating an environment in which all our employees are treated equitably and feel included. In joining our team, you would work in a workplace environment that advances and values antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI), and that is committed to embedding ADEI best practices and tenets in all aspects of our work. City of Cambridge residents are especially encouraged to apply to job openings.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY / AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

The City of Cambridge is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability, or any other protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ Community, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The City is committed to advancing a workforce culture of antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request by contacting Human Resources at View email address on click.appcast.io.