Description

JOB SUMMARY: To perform independent analysis and assist on a wide variety of legal issues involving litigation and advisory work under the direction of attorneys in the City Attorney’s Office.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS – Functions may include, but are not limited to, the following: Collect and compile facts and research and analyze legal authorities, such as statutes, court decisions, pleadings, and articles for use in preparing legal documents; assist attorneys in drafting legal opinions on contract, employment, torts, ethics, land use and Public Records Act issues, and make independent recommendations to attorneys; draft and edit legal memos, correspondence, pleadings, memoranda of points and authorities, petitions for writs and appellate briefs, motions, stipulations, orders, rulings, notices, declarations, proofs of service and other related legal documents; prepare necessary responses to pleadings and discovery requests for civil and criminal matters in both state and federal courts, and interact with City departments to obtain necessary information; file documents with courts and attorneys; review and research court files; obtain telephonic rulings and hearing dates; communicate with City staff; review and prepare  summaries of document productions, discovery responses, depositions, and/or digital media; interview witnesses; prepare documentation summaries; arrange, contact and coordinate investigators and experts; request subpoenas of records and review documents; and maintain telephone contact with courts, witnesses and attorneys; assist with document review and redactions for exemptions related to California Public Records Act requests; assist in trial preparation, including preparation of jury instructions, voir dire questionnaires, exhibits and coordination of court appearances of witnesses; prepare petitions and appeals; review contracts and assist attorneys through contract negotiations; maintain work production and flow, meeting established deadlines; perform difficult and complex legal support functions in major cases; build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service; and perform related duties as assigned.

For a complete job description, please click here.

HOW TO APPLY:  Apply online at www.chulavistaca.gov. Candidates whose applications indicate education and experience most directly related to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process. All notices will be sent via e-mail. This recruitment is open until a sufficient number of applications are received and may close at any time without prior notice. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible. 

Requirements

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: 

Certificate of completion of a Paralegal Program approved by the American Bar Association; OR

Certificate of completion of a Paralegal Program at, or a degree from, a post-secondary institution that has been accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization or approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. The program must include successful completion of a minimum of 24 semester/36 quarter college-level units in law-related course work; OR

Bachelor's Degree or higher AND one year of full-time law-related experience* under the supervision of an attorney who has been an active member of the State Bar of California or who has practiced in the federal courts in California for at least the preceding three years of application; OR

High school diploma, General Education Development (GED), or California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE) certificate AND three years of full-time law-related experience* under the supervision of an attorney who has been an active member of the California State Bar or who has practiced in the federal courts in California for at least the preceding three years of application. 

*Note: An Attorney Attestation of Completion of Law-related experience form is required to document law-related experience.

Per Business and Professions Code Section 6450 et. seq. (“Code”) Paralegals in the State of California must complete the following mandatory continuing legal education (MCLE): Every two years, certify completion of four hours of MCLE in legal ethics and four hours of MCLE in either general law or an area of specialized law.