Paralegal

Salary: $58,941.42 - $88,412.13 Annually
Location : Downtown Minneapolis
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26CAO699TF044
Department: County Attorney's Office
Opening Date: 07/29/2026
Closing Date: 8/7/2026 11:59 PM Central


Description
The Hennepin County Attorney's Office (CAO) is seeking a Paralegal to join their Child Protection Legal Writing Unit and to create a list for future vacancies across the department. Legal Writer Paralegals are responsible for preparing Emergency and Permanency Petitions for children who are in need of protection services. As a Paralegal with the CAO, you will be a key player in supporting certain responsibilities of the chief prosecutor for Hennepin County. Other paralegals assist in representing the county government in civil lawsuits, child support matters, and child protection actions. Position may also assist in providing legal counsel to the Board of Commissioners and all county departments. Your day-to-day tasks may include supporting these missions by performing client and witness interviews, researching cases, or appearing at trials taking notes of testimony.
Current Hennepin County employees who refer a candidate hired into an open competitive position may be eligible for a $500 referral bonus. For more information visit the
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Location and hours:
This position is hybrid and will be performed both on-site at the Hennepin County Government Center, 300 South 6th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55487 and remote as job duties require. Work hours will be Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. While this position is designated as hybrid, based on current requirements hires must reside in or relocate to Minnesota or Wisconsin. New Employee Orientation (NEO) for all new benefit-earning employees is in-person in downtown Minneapolis. Details about NEO will be provided upon hire.
About the position type:
This is a full-time, benefit earning position.
This position is internally classified as a Paralegal.
Click to view the job classification specification.

In this position, you will:

• Legal Writing Unit:
  
  • Prepare, review edit, file and/or serve legal documents, including emergency or permanency petitions, letters, motions, affidavits, court orders, subpoenas, and other legal documents.
  • Organize, index, assemble and/or summarize files, facts, records, pleadings, exhibits and other relevant documents for case preparation; prepare legal documents and other case materials.
  • Identify, collect, review and evaluate information to assist attorneys in the determination of appropriateness of legal action, development of legal issues and preparation of cases.
• General Paralegal:
  
  • Identify, collect, review, and evaluate information to assist attorneys in the determination of appropriateness of legal action, development of legal issues, and preparation of cases.
  • Prepare, file and/or serve legal documents, including letters, motions, affidavits, court orders, subpoenas, stipulation and discovery requests, depositions, interview summaries, and trial notebooks.
  • Summarize, organize, and assemble facts, records, pleadings, exhibits and other relevant documents for case preparation.
  • Conduct research for attorneys on current cases and issues of concern.
  • Gather information from clients and witnesses through interviews and from documents.
  • Monitor case files to ensure compliance with appropriate rules and procedures.
  • Appear at trial or other court proceedings to assist attorney with referencing and accessing pertinent documents, taking notes of testimony, witness assistance, exhibit coordination, etc.

Need to have:
One of the following:

• Associate's degree or higher in paralegal studies, certification from an accredited legal assistant program, and two years or more of experience performing legal work.

OR

• Related education and/or experience to total four years or more.

Nice to have:

• Experience:
  • Working as a paralegal.
  • In legal document drafting and summarizing, including the ability to identify essential information and rewrite it clearly and concisely while preserving the intended meaning.
  • Preparing files/cases/assignments.
  • Working in a public law office.
  • Working with police reports, medical records, substance use records, or comparable documentation, including collecting, organizing, and summarizing information.
  • Working directly with witnesses, social services and care providers.
• Effective interpersonal and organizational skills, accuracy, and attention to detail.
• Skill using:
  • Microsoft Office products, including Access, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint.
  • Case management systems including Minnesota Government Access (MGA) and Westlaw with the ability to conduct electronic research.
• Ability to:
  • Work under pressure during periods of high-volume activity.
  • Provide prompt, polite, and respectful customer service to all persons requesting service.
  • Communicate verbally and in writing in an organized, concise, and accurate manner.
  • Work independently with minimal supervision and effectively in a team environment.
  • Problem solve and think critically.

About the department:

The Hennepin County Attorney's Office is a fierce advocate for justice and equity, pursuing holistic community safety and providing quality legal services through evidence-informed practices and collaborative problem solving.


We prosecute crimes with fairness and integrity. We advocate for victims of crime by seeking meaningful accountability and supporting healing. We use preventive and restorative approaches to address the complex root causes of crime and violence. We engage with partners to pursue system accountability. And we provide proactive and innovative legal services in the areas of mental health, child support, child protection, and civil legal representation for Hennepin County to advance the County's efforts to reduce disparities and enhance the quality of life of our community.

About Hennepin County:

Hennepin is the largest county government organization in Minnesota. Our employees work every day to improve the health, safety and quality of life for our residents and communities. All of our jobs align with our mission to serve residents through transformative services that eliminate disparities, eliminate inequities, and create opportunity for all and our vision of a community where all people are healthy, all people are valued, and all people thrive.


Our employees receive a combination of competitive benefits and positive workplace culture not found at other organizations. This includes meaningful work that impacts our community, competitive pay, work-life balance, a variety of benefits and opportunities to grow. Learn more at (login as Guest).

Hennepin County envisions an organization where our commitment to diversity and the elimination of disparities is fundamental in providing excellent service to our community.

Your future. Made here.

This posting may be used to fill current and future vacancies.

Watch this video for application best practices and tips.
This position may have access to systems or other documentation that contains HIPAA data.

Talent Acquisition division
Hennepin County Human Resources department
Submit a request at or View phone number on click.appcast.io
Why work here?


Hennepin County embraces the Total Rewards philosophy. We want our employees to succeed - not only at work but as they move through life and its milestones. We offer advantages and opportunities others can't - including:

• Meaningful work
• Public service
• Competitive pay
• Work-life balance
• Generous benefits
• Opportunities to grow
• Commitment to your success

By working in public service, we are a part of something larger than ourselves. Together, we support those in need. We help people access information and services. We empower vibrant and diverse communities. We serve residents.
Visit our benefits page to learn more: bridge.hennepin.us/eligibility.

If you are a current Hennepin County employee please be aware that any change in job classification may affect your current benefits (such as a conversion from Vacation/Sick Leave to Paid Time Off and/or enrollment in a Health Care Saving Plan.) Information about the impact of job changes on benefits can be found
01


This position is hybrid and will be performed both on-site at the Hennepin County Government Center, 300 South 6th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55487 and remote as job duties require. Work hours will be Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. While this position is designated as hybrid, based on current requirements hires must reside in or relocate to Minnesota or Wisconsin. New Employee Orientation (NEO) for all new benefit-earning employees is in-person in downtown Minneapolis. Details about NEO will be provided upon hire.
Are you willing and able to meet these requirements?

• Yes
• No

02


Do you have an associate's degree or higher in paralegal studies and certification from an accredited legal assistant program?

• Yes
• No

03


Describe your relevant education including area(s) of study, school(s) attended, and degree(s)/certification(s) earned. If you do not have relevant education, type "None" in the space provided.
04


How many full-time years of experience do you have performing legal work?

• I do not have this experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year or more, but less than 2 years
• 2 years or more, but less than 3 years
• 3 years or more, but less than 4 years
• 4 years or more

05


Describe your experience performing legal work, referencing positions listed on your application/resume. If you do not have this experience, type "None" in the space provided.
06


How many full-time years of experience do you have working as a paralegal?

• I do not have this experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year or more, but less than 2 years
• 2 years or more, but less than 3 years
• 3 years or more, but less than 4 years
• 4 years or more, but less than 5 years
• 5 years or more

07


In which of these settings do you have paralegal experience? Check all that apply.

• Adult Prosecution
• Behavioral Health (Mental Health)
• Appeals
• Child Protection
• Child Support
• Civil Litigation
• Community Prosecution
• Youth Prosecution
• White Collar Crime
• Domestic Abuse Service Center
• Other
• None of the above

08


Describe your paralegal experience including your employer and major responsibilities, referencing positions listed on your application/resume. If you do not have this experience, type "None" in the space provided.
09


How many years of experience do you have drafting and summarizing legal documents; including identifying key information and rewriting content clearly and concisely while maintaining its intended meaning?

• I do not have this experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year or more, but less than 2 years
• 2 years or more, but less than 3 years
• 3 years or more, but less than 4 years
• 4 years or more, but less than 5 years
• 5 years or more

10


Describe your experience drafting and summarizing legal documents; including identifying key information and rewriting content clearly and concisely while maintaining its intended meaning, referencing positions listed on your application/resume. If you do not have this experience, type "None" in the space provided.
11


In an average week of your busiest position as a paralegal, how many files/cases/assignments did you prepare?

• I do not have paralegal experience preparing files/cases/assignments
• Less than 5 files/cases/assignments
• 5 files/cases/assignments or more, but less than 10
• 10 files/cases/assignments or more, but less than 15
• 15 files/cases/assignments or more, but less than 20
• 20 files/cases/assignments or more

12


How many years of experience do you have working in a public law office?

• I do not have this experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year or more, but less than 2 years
• 2 years or more, but less than 3 years
• 3 years or more, but less than 4 years
• 4 years or more, but less than 5 years
• 5 years or more

13


Describe your work experience working in a public law office, referencing positions listed on your application/resume. If you do not have this experience, type "None" in the space provided.
14


Which of the following programs have you used in a work setting? Check all that apply.

• Microsoft Access
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Word
• None of the above

15


Which of these legal case management systems do you have experience using in a professional setting? Check all that apply.

• Adobe
• Everlaw
• Evidence.com
• FileHandler
• Mircosoft OneDrive
• Microsoft SharePoint
• Minnesota Government Access (MGA)
• Odyssey E-file and Serve
• ProCase
• Social Services Information System (SSIS)
• Taxsys
• Westlaw
• Other
• None of the above

16


Describe your experience using the programs above in a work setting, referencing positions listed on your application/resume. If you do not have this experience, type "None" in the space provided.
17


Do you have experience working with police reports, medical records, substance use records, or comparable documentation, including collecting, organizing, and summarizing information?

• Yes
• No

18


Describe your experience working with police reports, medical records, substance use records, or comparable documentation, including collecting, organizing, and summarizing information, referencing positions listed on your application/resume. If you do not have this experience, type "None" in the space provided.
19


Do you have experience working directly with witnesses, social services and care providers?

• Yes
• No

20


Describe your experience working directly with witnesses, social services and care providers, referencing positions listed on your application/resume. If you do not have this experience, type "None" in the space provided.
21


Please choose the one recruitment source that best describes how you first learned about this job opening. Please review all possible choices before making your selection. Your response to this question helps us evaluate the effectiveness of our recruitment methods.

• College or university (job board, career services, or instructor)
• Community or nonprofit organization (counselor, job board, etc.)
• Employee or recruiter of Hennepin County (supervisor/manager, colleague, or Human Resources)
• Friend or family member that is not a Hennepin County employee
• Hennepin County job notification emails
• Indeed.com
• Job fair or networking event
• LinkedIn
• Print advertisement (flyer, postcard, billboard, transit ad, etc.)
• Professional association (ASCE, APWA, ISACA, etc.)
• Social media (Handshake, Facebook, X, Instagram, etc.)
• hennepin.jobs or governmentjobs.com

22


For the recruitment source selected above, please provide the specific name of the person, website, or media source.
Required Question