PARALEGAL

Paralegal

This position is designed as Hybrid (In office and Remote).

This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position. A Motor Vehicle Records screening will be conducted prior to employment.

The Department of Disability and Aging supports people to live the lives they envision for themselves by ensuring people can exercise rights, engage with the community and experience optimal health. At DDA, we are responsible for administration and oversight of services and supports for more than 1.5 million older adults and Tennesseans with disabilities.

Handling case management, data entry, and case activity tracking; assisting attorneys with research, drafting, client support and engagement. Research includes legal research of current statutes and case law, diligent searches to locate and confirm addresses of persons entitled to notice/service of process; and researching prior case history. Drafting may include petitions, motions, proposed orders, affidavits, summons, subpoenas, hearing notices, memorandums, letters to courts and other persons/parties involved in a case. Management of filing documents with courts, including e-filing and paper filing through mail or in person. Maintenance and organization of case files (both electronic and hard copy), ensuring attorneys are up to date with all relevant case information and activity. Client communications including consultation assistance, interviews, assistance in document execution, obtaining additional case information, and general communications. Other duties as assigned to support the DDA Office of General Counsel, which may include supporting the attorneys in the Nashville and Chattanooga offices remotely from the Knoxville office.

Conservatorship cases:

• Thoroughly review request packets for completeness and discrepancies in information; Setting up files for new cases; track all case events and legal assistant's tasks throughout the life of the case; Obtain consents and declarations; at direction of the attorney draft pleadings, file pleadings; at attorney direction draft, serve, and file summons, subpoenas, and hearing notices; at direction of attorneys, communicate with court clerks, judicial assistants, and parties regarding scheduling hearings; Attend interviews with attorneys for hearing prep; correspond with court clerks to obtain copies of court files; notify parties of all filings and dates via proper service of process; Monitor status updates of all mail sent via certified mail and FedEx; schedule court reporter as needed; arrange in-person service of process with private process server as needed; accurate Conservatorship case tracking; maintain shared drive electronic case file and hard copy file; accurately and timely update case tracking on SharePoint; close all cases per protocol or at direction of attorney.

Forensic Cases:

• Assisting attorney in providing legal support on forensics cases, including attending meetings with forensics staff and assisting attorney in drafting/preparing legal correspondence.

HIPAA/Privacy/Confidentiality:

• Support and assist HIPAA attorney in matters related to the client's obligations under HIPAA and other state/federal confidentiality laws and regulations, including preparing Business Associate Agreements. Conservatorship Task Force - assist attorney in scheduling/organizing meetings, attend meetings, take notes and prepare minutes of the meetings.

Education and Experience: Education equivalent to graduation from an accredited college, university, or professional school with one of the following: (1) an Associate's Degree in Paralegal or Legal Assistant studies; (2) a Bachelor's Degree in Paralegal or Legal Assistant studies; (3) a Paralegal Certificate; or (4) one year (28 semester hours) of graduate level law school. Preferred Qualifications: Current Tennessee notary public commission.

Pursuant to the State of Tennessee's Workplace Discrimination and Harassment policy, the State is firmly committed to the principle of fair and equal employment opportunities for its citizens and strives to protect the rights and opportunities of all people to seek, obtain, and hold employment without being subjected to illegal discrimination and harassment in the workplace. It is the State's policy to provide an environment free of discrimination and harassment of an individual because of that person's race, color, national origin, age (40 and over), sex, pregnancy, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status or any other category protected by state and/or federal civil rights laws.