Legal Assistant

Contract Legal Assistant

This contract position is responsible for assisting the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation's Office of General Counsel (OGC) with environmental enforcement.

TDEC divisions within the Bureau of Environment issue well over 100 enforcement orders each year.

This position will assist attorneys in reviewing draft orders prepared by division staff.

After orders are issued, this position will assist attorneys with appeals and enforcing final orders.

The contract legal assistant position is full-time (37.5 hours per week).

This hybrid in-office and work-from-home position is based in TDEC's central office in downtown Nashville.

Responsibilities:

Review draft enforcement orders for factual accuracy and documentation, correct named respondents, current addresses for service of process, proofreading, and other quality-control issues. Prepare attorney cover letters for commissioner's orders and coordinate service of process.

Assist OGC attorneys in handling appeals of enforcement orders. Facilitate communications with pro se respondents and opposing counsel. Draft agreed final orders. Prepare Notice of Hearing to docket matters. Proofread motions. Assist with discovery responses, depositions, and hearings. Prepare agreed final orders for settlements.

Assist OGC attorneys to enforce final orders, serving as the primary case manager. Draft demand letters for attorney signature, send them, and track responses or non-responses. Manage communications with pro se respondents or opposing counsel. Prepare attorney general referral memoranda.

Assist with collections of civil penalties and damages.

Prepare draft General Sessions warrants and affidavits for review by the assigned attorney. Once drafts are approved, secure the affiant's signature and arrange filing at General Sessions.

Communicate updates and share documents with the assigned attorney.

Promptly enter updates and upload documents in the case management database.