Legal Assistant 1 (NY HELPS) - Albany

at  Attorney General Office of the

NON-COMPETITIVE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Candidates must have a minimum of two years of full-time experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant (see “definition” below); OR
• An associate degree (or higher) in in a paralegal/legal assistant/legal studies program or a certificate in a paralegal/legal assistant program where the degree was granted from a regionally accredited college or university or one approved by the American Bar Association (ABA); OR
• An associate degree (or higher) in any field where the degree was granted from a regionally accredited college or university or one approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) or graduation from an accredited (ABA approved) law school with a degree required for NYS Bar admittance AND one year of experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant (see “definition” below).
  Definition: A Paralegal/Legal Assistant is someone who applies knowledge of the law and legal procedures in rendering direct assistance to lawyers, clients, and courts; prepares and interprets legal documents and forms; researches, compiles, and uses information from legal materials to provide both written and verbal comments on their findings; and analyzes and handles routine procedural problems independently with minimal attorney oversight. Non-qualifying experience includes receptionist, records clerk, bookkeeper, and office manager.

In close association with an attorney or attorneys, Legal Assistants perform a variety of paralegal activities that require formal education and experience. Incumbents compile and organize files and documentation; prepare and assist in the preparation of legal documents and forms; catalog information; update databases or spreadsheets; and prepare correspondence and subpoenas.
When in a litigation or administrative hearing setting, a Legal Assistant 1:

Performs pre-trial or pre-hearing related activities.

• Schedules witnesses and collects information relevant to the case.
• Reviews case-related materials for lines of questioning.
• Assembles exhibits and briefs.
• May assist at trials or hearings by managing the exhibits and suggesting relevant questions for the attorney to raise.
• Prepares and files with the courts all associated court papers as directed or authorized by the attorney.
• May perform service of process or arrange for service of process through an outside vendor.
• Calculates monies owed to the State, determines responsible parties, and locates and notifies them of the amount.
• Reviews administrative procedures and makes initial determinations regarding information releasable under the Freedom of Information Act.
• Negotiates and proposes preliminary settlements of fines as directed or authorized by the attorney.
• Completes routine investigative work for attorney review.
• Gathers complete information from a variety of sources.
• Provides a preliminary analysis of information to attorneys.
• Reviews draft legislative proposals for compliance with bill drafting requirements.

Manages the flow of case-related materials.

• Uses Shepard’s Citations or other reference sources to check the cases cited to ensure that the case law is still relevant.
• May maintain or oversee tracking systems, calendars, and reporting systems.
• May open and close files or cases or oversee the process of opening or closing files and cases.
• Performs activities related to docketing, the placement of court-related activities on the court calendar, and on the attorney’s calendar.

May draft legal responses to the courts or other interested parties as directed or authorized by the attorney.

• May prepare portions of briefs, affidavits, affirmations, and other motion-related papers.
• Answers routine questions from the public.
• Prepares findings of decisions and findings of fact.
• Prepares opinions on routine matters.
• Prepares reports.

May perform other duties as assigned.
When located outside of a litigation or an administrative hearing setting, a Legal Assistant 1:
Performs preliminary background work for routine cases or for administrative review processes.
May answer routine complaints received from the public, either orally or in writing, and provides routine information regarding processes or procedures to the public.
May perform other duties as assigned.
Specific duties and scheduling options will be discussed at interview.