Paralegal

Paralegal PositionPreference will be given to candidates who are bilingual in English and Spanish.Under general supervision of the Family Law Facilitator or other staff attorneys, the Paralegal in the Self Help Center assists Self-Represented litigants in preparing legal documents, identifying necessary legal steps to proceed in the litigant's case, reviewing the litigant's file history, researching and analyzing legal statutes and case law, preparing orders after hearing, assisting with case management duties, answering general legal/procedural questions, assisting the Family Law Facilitator and other staff attorneys with a variety of paraprofessional legal duties and performs other duties as required.This position is responsible for performing assignments requiring a professional understanding of law and legal procedures in a variety of legal fields, but primarily family law, small claims, small civil, probate and unlawful detainer actions. This position does not require membership in the State Bar of California.Positions in this class may perform any or all of the below listed duties. These should be interpreted as examples of the work and are not necessarily all-inclusive:Assist self-represented litigants from a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds with completion of legal forms.Interview and triage self-represented litigants, assessing their legal problems and determine the appropriate next steps.Identify non-routine cases and ask for specific direction from supervising attorney; Prepare papers in accordance with those directions.Explain legal procedure and process to self-represented litigants one-on-one and in group/workshop settings.Prepare orders after hearings conforming to clerk's minutes using legal forms, and a variety of legal software programs, as well as the court's case management system.Assist the Family Law Facilitator and other staff attorneys with a variety of paraprofessional legal duties.Make phone calls, gather materials, conduct internet research; prepare forms and flyers.Research and analyze statutes, legislation and case law.Write reports, collect and analyze data needed for legal or administrative matters.Provide guidance to clerical staff and interns.Develop office procedures and processes.Other duties as assigned.A typical way to acquire the required knowledge, skills and abilities would be:Education/License/Certificates:A certificate of completion of a paralegal program approved by the American Bar AssociationORA certificate of completion of a paralegal program at, or a degree from, a postsecondary institution that requires the successful completion of a minimum of twenty-four (24) semester, or equivalent, units in law-related courses and that has been accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization or approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational EducationORA baccalaureate degree or an advanced degree in any subject, a minimum of one year of law-related experience under the supervision of an attorney in accordance with the Business & Professions Code section 6450 (Section 6450(c) (3) and (c) (4). AND Two (2) years of increasingly responsible legal, court and/or judicial support experience that includes researching legal issues and drafting legal documents.ORA Juris Doctorate DegreeEnglish/Spanish bilingual skills are highly desirable for this position.Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:Knowledge of principles and practices of civil, criminal and administrative law applicable to practice as a paralegalRules, statutes, and case authority applicable to areas of law served by the unit to which the paralegal is assigned, including but not limited to parentage, family law, child and spousal support, guardianship, unlawful detainers, and small claimsCalifornia court procedures, rules of evidence and burden-of-proof issuesPrinciples, practices and techniques of legal research and writingMethods and techniques of effective interviewingMethods and techniques of legal research and investigationLegal forms and the content required for filing cases, including, but not limited to, family law, small claims, landlord-tenant and guardianshipStandard business software and specialized legal software and programsCorrect English usage including spelling, grammar and punctuation; practices of legal communicationEffective customer service practices and techniquesSkill and Ability to:Effectively communicate in writing, in person and on the telephone with pro-per litigants and other agenciesProvide exceptional customer serviceLearn and develop skills prioritizing, maintaining and coordinating a heavy workloadEstablish and maintain effective working relationships with Court staff attorneys, officers of the Court, judicial system employees, litigants and the publicConduct legal research using legal databases and books and analyze factual and legal claims and issuesDraft a wide variety of legal documents competently, ensuring that they meet all legal requirements and deadlinesPresent statements of fact, law and basic arguments clearly, logically and conciselyUse interviewing skills to obtain accurate, useful information from Court customers to identify their problems/needs and develop appropriate support measuresUnderstand, interpret, communicate and apply specialized and complicated legal information and procedures applicable to the assignmentOperate a computer and use specialized legal software/programs, as well as standard business softwareStay up to date on new/developing laws, forms and legal information relevant to the assignmentManage multiple tasks, set priorities and meet deadlinesExercise confidentiality and use tact, diplomacy and compassion when dealing with customers' personal issues and confidential situationsMaintain neutrality as a court employee in all dealings with the public