01/07/2006 07040

PARALEGAL

DEFINITION: This is technical and highly skilled legal work in assisting attorneys in the practice of law in a Commonwealth agency.

An employee in this job provides support to attorneys in areas such as litigation, appellate proceedings, administrative review and regulation, or transactional law. Work at this level involves independently analyzing and evaluating a wide variety of case or transaction specific facts, claims and issues; performing preliminary investigations and required due diligence; researching, interpreting and determining the applicability of laws, regulations, rulings and precedential opinions; and drafting documents such as investigatory reports, opinions, responses to discovery, contracts or briefs. Duties may include attending depositions, hearings or trials with an attorney, assisting with preparing documentary evidence, tracking and labeling exhibits, and assisting in the preparation of filings or pleadings. Work may also include assisting in the practice of transactional law through the review, analysis, and preparation of legal documents required in the processing of varied and complex financial transactions such as loan origination and closure, grant and bond issuance, alternative investments, public market offerings, pooled and separate accounts, REITs and real estate acquisition. Work involves handling sensitive and confidential matters consistent with attorney-client privilege. Work is performed independently under the general supervision of an attorney or Paralegal Supervisor.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Performs research and drafting of documents for appellate, trial, regulatory, legislative and transactional matters.

Drafts summons, service of process, complaints, bill of particulars, praecipe, writs, motions, interrogatories, subpoenas and case information statements.

Drafts notices of appeal, briefs, tables of authority for citations and summaries of hearing or trial transcripts.

Drafts legal notices, statements of policy and proposed regulations.

Reviews proposed administrative policies or regulations and conducts research to determine consistency with existing policies, laws, regulations and rulings.

Drafts compromise agreements to resolve tax claims and disputes.

Investigates complaints filed before regulatory boards, researches applicable regulations and rulings, prepares reports of findings and recommendations for prosecutorial action or dismissal.

Compiles and reviews articles of incorporation, by-laws, ordinances, resolutions, insurance agreements, contracts, organizations and management plans, cost breakdowns, funding schedules, credit reports, mortgage documents and similar information for consistency with terms and conditions of financial assistance.

Prepares settlement or closing documents incorporating loan agreements, bond purchase agreements, notes, grant agreements, account security agreements, mortgages, guaranty agreements and similar documents.

Reviews and prepares subscription agreements, forms of adhesion, side letters and contracts for services.

Responds to discovery motions including interrogatories, requests for production of documents and requests for admissions by evaluating the motions, gathering information and drafting responses for an attorney’s review.

Analyzes decisions of hearings examiners and drafting orders for their implementation or recommendations of alternative findings.

Drafts rulings on administrative hearings for an Attorney’s review.

Prepares and submits electronic filings to courts, agencies and hearing officers.

Drafts questions for use in depositions and questioning of witnesses in proceedings.

Assists counsel during hearings, trials and settlements.

Maintains case files and ensures that case is properly prepared.

Conducts reviews of cited legal decisions to determine their precedential value.

Drafts correspondence on legal issues.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of applicable federal and state codes, laws, rules and regulations.

Knowledge of policies, procedures and standards for evidentiary exhibits required by courts.

Knowledge of methods and techniques of legal research.

Knowledge of interviewing techniques to collect information.

Knowledge of legal document maintenance.

Ability to analyze facts, arguments and evidence pertinent to legal disputes.

Ability to present legal information in concise written form.

Ability to understand and interpret legal documents and to perform legal research.

Ability to apply the principles of due diligence review associated with complex financial transactions.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Four years of experience as a Legal Assistant 2;

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Certification as a Paralegal or Legal Assistant (CP/CLA) by The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA); or certification as a Registered Paralegal (RP) by The National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA); or advanced certification for legal professionals (PLS) by NALS, The Association for Legal Professionals; and two years performing legal support work;

                                                                                                                                           or

Completion of an associate’s degree or post baccalaureate certificate in legal, paralegal or legal assistant studies or other related field, and two years performing legal support work;

                                                                                                                                          or

An equivalent combination of experience and training.