01/07/2006 07050

PARALEGAL SUPERVISOR

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

An employee in this job is responsible for supervising Paralegals who provide support to attorneys in areas such as litigation, appellate proceedings, administrative review and regulation, or transactional law. Work involves supervising Paralegals engaged in 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 of subordinate Paralegals 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. Employees in this job may also supervise Paralegals who assist 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. In addition to supervising Paralegals, the Paralegal Supervisor may also supervise other staff such as Legal Assistants and clerical personnel. Work involves handling sensitive and confidential matters consistent with attorney-client privilege. Employees in this job perform their work independently under the general supervision of an administrative superior or an attorney.

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

Supervises and participates in drafting summons, service of process, complaints, bill of particulars, praecipe, writs, motions, interrogatories, subpoenas and case information statements.

Supervises and participates in drafting notices of appeal, briefs, tables of authority for citations and summaries of hearing or trial transcripts.

Supervises and participates in drafting legal notices, statements of policy and proposed regulations.

Supervises and participates in investigating complaints filed before regulatory boards.

Supervises and participates in compiling and reviewing 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.

Supervises and participates in preparing settlement or closing documents incorporating loan agreements, bond purchase agreements, notes, grant agreements, account security agreements, mortgages, guaranty agreements and similar documents.

Supervises and participates in preparing subscription agreements, forms of adhesion, side letters and contracts for services.

Supervises and participates in drafting questions for use in depositions and questioning of witnesses in proceedings.

Assists counsel during hearings, trials and settlements.

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

Drafts correspondence on legal issues.

Reviews and assesses overall effectiveness and efficiency of work unit operations and makes recommendations for improvements.

Reviews and approves work completed by subordinate Paralegals for further processing or action.

Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

The employee in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

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 train and supervise subordinates.

Ability to analyze and to supervise the analysis of 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 and to supervise the application of the principles of due diligence review associated with complex financial transactions.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees and the general public.

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

                                                                                                                                               or

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; or advanced certification for legal professionals (PLS) by NALS, The Association for Legal Professionals; and three 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 three years performing legal support work;

                                                                                                                                             or

An equivalent combination of experience and training.