To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions described here.Employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned that are not specifically spelled out in this job description, but which may be reasonably considered to require similar knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Summary of Position:
The purpose of this position is to provide paralegal support for the staff attorneys. This is accomplished by researching applicable legal authorities, presenting findings, drafting legal pleadings and documents, assisting with investigations and case preparation, coordinating between the Town Attorney's office and other Town departments and outside agencies, monitoring deadlines, drafting resolutions, and amendments to Town Ordinances, drafting answers to discovery requests, performing title searches of real estate, preparing real estate documents, and preparing correspondence. Other duties include coordinating with various boards and groups within the Town.
What you can expect to be doing (Essential Functions):
- Assist attorneys in all aspects of their practice. The office has attorneys involved in all areas of law that touch on local government operations.
- Provide general administrative support to assigned attorneys.
- Draft routine legal documents and contracts.
- Organize and maintain case and matter files, both electronically and in hard copy, ensuring all documents are filed correctly and deadlines are met.
- Schedule and maintain calendars and track deadlines, monitor and provide notification of court and other deadlines, as well as appointments and meetings.
- Review contracts during the Town’s internal routing process to ensure that they satisfy basic legal requirements.
- Initial review of bonds for proper form, gather missing information and assure they satisfy basic legal requirements.
- Provide litigation support by preparing court documents, tracking litigation timelines. Perform legal research and cite-checking under attorney supervision.
- Assist with case preparation by compiling and assembling files and required materials.
- Conduct an initial review of contracts, ordinances, resolutions, policies and other legal documents for proper form, assure they satisfy legal requirements, and complete.
- Utilize the Town Attorney Office’s legal management system, creates and manage database for Town owned property and property interests.
- Collaborate with other departments on process improvements and implementation.
- Develop the Office’s annual budget request and manage the budget.
- Serve as the technology contact for the Attorney's Office; coordinate implementation of new technology-based procedures and workflows.
- Handle all administrative functions for the Attorney's Office, including but not limited to entering bi-weekly time, completing payroll change and wage adjustment forms, submitting and reconciling travel expenses, reconciling purchasing card statements, paying invoices, purchasing materials and supplies, registering attorneys for requested conferences/training, and if necessary, booking hotel and travel for the conference /training, renew and submit payment for various North Carolina bar association dues, and entering requisitions.
- Keep records and track the status of matters involving the Attorney’s Office, such as legal review requests, consultations, real estate transactions, and litigation; coordinate regular in-person team meetings to review pending matters and identify action items.
- Document procedures involving the Attorney's Office; draft operating procedures in collaboration with the attorneys.
Do you supervise or not?
This position has no responsibility for the direction or supervision of others.
What are the physical demands?
The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table, with intermittent standing or stooping.The employee uses equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity.
Where and how do you work?
The work is typically performed in an office but may be remote at times subject to the Town Attorney’s approval.
What do you need to know to do this job effectively?
Knowledge of:
- Computer applications such as document management, case management, calendaring and word processing
- Principles of business letter writing and report preparation
- Legal terminology and forms and documents used in the field
- Legal office methods, procedures, terminology and documents
- Related federal, state and municipal laws codes and regulations
- Town of Chapel Hill ordinances policies and procedures
- Legal research procedures and forms
- Court rules and procedures
- Standard legal references and their contents
- Principles and methodologies for filing systems and case management
- Modern office procedures, methods and equipment including computers
Ability to:
- Understand, interpret, and apply administrative and departmental policies and procedures as well as pertinent laws, regulations, and ordinances.
- Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
- Locate various legal references including statutes, codes, regulations, and citations.
- Learn the use of a legal research and case management software in use with the Courts and with the Town Attorney’s Office Work independently and as part of a team Organize and prioritize workflow; work independently in the absence of supervision; exercise good judgment and make sound decisions; maintain confidentiality.
- Perform title searches of real estate records by searching various public websites and databases, plotting property descriptions, and compiling and summarizing findings.
- Perform at a high level of proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and with Adobe Acrobat Solve administrative problems and make sound decisions Receive and respond to inquiries from internal department staff, outside counsel, citizens, developers, surveyors, appraisers and/or other stakeholders.
- Provide excellent written and verbal communications. Model behavior that is consistent with our values of RESPECT.
What is education and/or experience do you need to be considered for this job?
Education
Work requires knowledge of a specific vocational, administrative, or technical nature which may be obtained with a two-year associate's degree or education and experience equivalency.
Experience
- A minimum of 2-3 years of relevant paralegal experience in law, government, or related field.
- Three or more years of experience in a law firm, government law office, or corporate legal department is preferred.
- Strong understanding of legal terminology, civil litigation procedures, and documentation preferred.
What are the safety considerations for this job?
Here is other information you should know about the position:
- A valid NC driver’s license and the availability of private transportation or the ability to provide transportation between job sites is required.
- Certification by the N.C. State Bar Board of Paralegal Certification or the ability to obtain within 18 months of hire.
The Town of Chapel Hill has the right to revise this job description at any time. This description does not represent in any way a contract of employment.
The Town of Chapel Hill does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
