LEGAL RESEARCH ASSISTANT 1

Legal Research Assistant 1

The Department of Business and Industry is hiring to fill a Legal Research Assistant 1 position within the Nevada Attorney for Injured Workers Division in Carson City. This agency provides legal services to the public regarding workers' compensation claims and makes available public information on all types of employees seeking workers' compensation benefits. The incumbent will spend the majority of their time assisting the agency's Deputy Attorneys with initial client interviews, reviewing and analyzing medical records, conducting legal research, and drafting various pleadings. They will also provide assistance to the public regarding workers' compensation procedures and inquiries. Training will be provided, but concise legal writing skills and exceptional legal research proficiency are essential. Applicants with a law degree preferred but not mandatory. Bi-lingual English/Spanish preferred but not mandatory.

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.