LEGAL RESEARCH ASSISTANT 1

Legal Research Assistant 1

The Department of Business and Industry is recruiting to fill a Legal Research Assistant 1 position within the Division of Industrial Relations in Las Vegas. The incumbent will provide advanced paralegal and legal research support to agency counsel. This position plays a critical role in supporting administrative litigation and legal matters affecting the Division with a primary emphasis on Occupational Safety and Health (NRS/NAC Chapter 618) and workers' compensation (NRS/NAC Chapters 616A–616D and 617), as well as, related administrative, bankruptcy, collections, and regulatory matters. They conduct complex legal research; analyze statutes, regulations, case law, and administrative decisions; and prepare written summaries, legal memoranda, pleadings, motions, briefs, and other legal documents for attorney review. Responsibilities also include reviewing and analyzing evidence; evaluating legal arguments and opposing filings; preparing litigation exhibits and hearing materials; conducting factual and legal investigations; interviewing clients and witnesses; assisting attorneys with case preparation; electronically filing court and administrative documents; maintaining legal research resources and case files; assisting with legislative and regulatory research and analysis; and supporting the development of legal opinions, regulations, and other agency documents. The position requires strong analytical, research, writing, and organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced legal environment.

Essential Qualifications

Completion of an accredited paralegal program or an Associate's degree in paralegal studies, administration of justice or related field that included major coursework in legal studies and one year of experience which included legal research and preparation of pleadings and other documents filed in court; OR graduation from high school or equivalent education and two years of experience as described above; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience as described above.

Job Duties

Research legal problems and issues facing the agency and draft legal opinions, pleadings, motions and various other legal documents for agency counsel. Compose business correspondence and legal memoranda concerning specific cases, issues or conclusions as requested by agency counsel or supervisors. Review and analyze material evidence and other furnished information to identify favorable and unfavorable information regarding the client's or opposition's position in order to provide written summary of findings to counsel with sufficient information to determine appropriate legal action. Interview clients to obtain information regarding their case; locate potential witnesses; obtain pertinent information from individuals who call requesting help in order to provide initial information to counsel; and provide referrals to other resources as applicable. Prepare evidence packages to be presented by counsel at hearings; draft and prepare charts, graphs, chronologies regarding facts and evidence after review and analysis for litigation or compliance. Evaluate opposing counsels' briefs to verify accuracy and determine whether citations are pertinent to issues of the case; and research and prepare opposition. Research non-legal issues such as medical evidence, scientific methods of diagnosis and demographics that support litigation or other agency work; and provide related analysis such as trend or performance analysis. Serve, process and file court documents either in person at courts or electronically into court docket and pick up or deliver documents; perform tasks related to the collection of debts owed to the State such as locating debtors and creating documents necessary for collection. Maintain law library materials in hard copy and electronically; and index and maintain the court brief bank. Review, monitor, research and prepare legislation and associated documents during legislative session and refer bills impacting the agency to the proper supervisor; may draft legislation, legislative history memorandums, regulations, bulletins, orders and impact statements; inform proper supervisor of possible implications; summarize and chart the effects of changes; and recommend an appropriate course of action. Assist secretarial support staff with locating and using proper court rules, procedures, computer search methods pleading production and court filing (electronic and/or in paper format). Perform related duties as assigned. Under general supervision, incumbents perform the full range of duties described in the series concept. This is the journey level in the series.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Working knowledge of: legal publications and sources of information to effectively obtain pertinent information; substantive, procedural, evidentiary and ethics law sufficient to analyze and formulate legal opinions regarding legal questions; how to use law libraries; preparation of legal documentation. Ability to: effectively compose business documents and legal correspondence; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; conduct research regarding legal issues using law libraries, the Internet and other sources as appropriate.

The State of Nevada is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building diverse, inclusive, and innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, national origin, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, domestic partnership, genetic information (GINA), or compensation and/or wages.