Paralegal (LAW)

Overview

The City of Boston Law Department provides legal services to the Mayor, City Council and City departments regarding their official capacities within City government. Our office has been in continuous existence for 180 years and under the sole authority of the Corporation Counsel for 125 years. The Corporation Counsel has supervisory authority over all City attorneys and legal affairs and is responsible for all litigation to which the City of Boston is a party.

Under the direction of the First Assistant Corporation Counsel for Litigation and Senior Assistant Corporation Counsel and Assistant Corporation Counsel, the Paralegal will research points of law, write legal memoranda, compile documents, file, and perform such other duties as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Prepare documents and cases necessary for specific court hearings.
• Research legal issues and apply such research to the circumstances of various cases.
• Sort and analyze the information acquired.
• Update and support attorneys via reports and other correspondence specific to the issues and cases.
• Assist in drafting legal motions.
• Attend meetings with attorneys and assist in responding to any inquiry, including depositions, client meetings, and witness preparation.
• Handle discovery requests, including drafting and responding to discovery requests and reviewing and redacting documents for document production.
• Assist attorneys in trial preparation.
• Attend trials, court hearings, and depositions.
• Assist with witness preparation.
• Maintain a positive working relationship with the City, courts, and other parties as directed.
• Handle walk-ins and telephone inquiries.
• Respond promptly and appropriately to requests for assistance on additional projects.
• Be receptive to new ideas and respond to changing conditions and departmental needs.
• Open new cases when served. Close cases at attorneys' request.
• Prepare both physical and electronic files for the attorneys as requested for cases.
• Perform related work as required.
  
  

Minimum Entrance Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree preferred.
• Studying toward a Juris Doctorate Degree is a plus.
• Highly motivated self-starter.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and Westlaw, which is a plus.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, oral, and written communication skills.
• Accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and focus on detail as required by the job.
  
  

Boston Residency Required

Terms

Union/SaIary Plan/Grade: Non-Union/MM2-4

Hours per week: 35