Litigation Paralegal

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Litigation Paralegal

Salary

$48,000.00 Annually

Location

City County Building, IN

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

08371

Department

Office of Corporation Counsel

Opening Date

05/03/2024

Closing Date

Continuous

• Description

• Benefits

Position Summary

Position is responsible for supporting the nuisance abatement program and other Department of Code Enforcement staff with legal case preparation, review, and tracking. The position acts as a liaison between the City Prosecutor, Administrative Law Judge, and DCE staff in order to facilitate administrative hearings relative to the Revised Code of the Consolidated City of Indianapolis - Marion County. Position will advocate and present evidence on behalf of the City at administrative law hearings, including inoperable vehicle and unsafe building hearings. Position will respond to inquiries and provide information to the public, other City departments, other public agencies, and outside counsel regarding administrative hearings. Position will provide administrative support for hearings and other legal functions within DCE including preparing case files and sending notices of hearing and decision letters for licensing, inoperable vehicle, and high weeds and grass hearings.

Position Responsibilities

Present evidence and advocate on behalf of the City at administrative law hearings, including inoperable vehicle and unsafe building hearings.

Provide administrative support for hearings and case preparation.

Review legal cases for quality, compliance and uniformity for prosecution.

Coordinate legal case file corrections.

Record administrative law hearings.

Respond to inquiries and provide information as appropriate to the public, other City divisions or departments, other public agencies, and outside counsel regarding administrative hearings.

Serve as a liaison between the City Prosecutor, administrative law judge, and OCE staff on matters pertaining to case management.

Analyze and interpret applicable codes, laws, ordinances and statutes.

Observe and solve operational and technical policies and procedures.

Organize litigation files, evidence and documents for effective analysis and presentation.

Run court slate reports.

Coordinate inspectors and inspector supervisors' court and hearing scheduling.

Record court proceedings and prepare minute entries, motions, and decision letters.

Prepare, coordinate, and send notices of hearing.

Demonstrate continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless legal case review.

Coordinate submission of citations for Citation Collection Services.

Investigate, collect and compile a wide variety of materials, documents, reports and evidence.

Coordinate attendance with staff and Corporation Counsel for testimony and depositions.

Testify in court or hearings as required.

Prepare a variety of legal forms and documents, as well as correspondence and reports.

Foster positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities that management may deem necessary from time to time.

Qualifications

Paralegal certification, associates degree, bachelors degree or equivalent (e.g., successful completion of program from the American Bar Association approved or accredited institution - consisting of 60 semester hours (Two (2) year program) with 15 hours of substantive legal courses). An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted. Must have thorough understanding of legal terminology, the ethics of practicing law, the principles of legal writing, as well as other legal principles and practices. Must understand methods and techniques of legal research, discovery, and fact investigation. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, are required. Strong computer skills are required including experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Access. Attention to detail and organizational skills are essential. Ability to deal fairly and courteously with the public and handle multiple cases and assignments. Ability to understand the jurisdictional requirements of environmental court and administrative law hearings. Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Must be able to work independently, to both identify problems/issues and their resolution. Demonstrated ability to work within a team and independently.

Independent Judgment

Established ordinances, policies, and procedures often guide actions. Independent judgment is regularly utilized when there are no available policies and procedures. Independent judgment is required to act as an advocate on behalf of the City and make decisions regarding the City's requests at hearings. Errors in judgment may cause inconsistencies and inconveniences as well as regulatory, budgetary and legal issues. Seeks appropriate guidance from Executive Assistant - Nuisance Abatement and/or Legal Case Specialist – Supervisor as needed.