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Paralegal Assistant Page 1 I 2 Jurisdiction: Cortland County Jurisdictional Class: Competitive Adopted: 07/26/07 PARALEGAL ASSISTANT DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: The work involves responsibility for the performance of secretarial functions and legal clerical tasks designed to assist an attorney(s) in a legal division or department. An employee in this class prepares and types confidential legal documents including briefs, petitions, motions, orders, opinions, notices, and other legal correspondence. The work is performed in accordance with general instructions regarding objectives, policies, and procedures. Supervision is not a function of this class. General supervision is received from an attorney or administrator. Does related work as required. TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative only) Prepares and types general and legal correspondence, briefs, petitions, statements, reports, and various other legal documents; Maintains confidential, litigation, and general office files; Proofreads completed work to ensure quality and accuracy; Answers telephone calls, takes messages and responds to requests for routine information in accordance with departmental procedures; Schedules meetings, hearings, and court dates for attorneys and maintains appointment calendar; Acts as receptionist for attorney, greeting visitors and scheduling appointments; Prepares routine legal forms and memos; Performs related clerical duties. FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Good knowledge of legal terminology, the general course of legal proceedings, and legal forms; Good knowledge of law office practices and procedures; Good knowledge of the functions and capabilities of word processing equipment and software for legal documents; Ability to understand and carry out complex written and oral instructions; Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with attorneys, clients, other employees, and the general public; Ability to prepare routine letters, memoranda, and legal forms; Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with an Associates degree or higher in Paralegal studies or a closely related field and six months experience in a law office which shall have involved drafting motions, contracts and doing legal research. NOTE: ---PAGE BREAK--- Paralegal Assistant Page 2 I 2 Degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education. If the degree was awarded by an educational institution outside of the United States and its territories, applicant must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of acceptable companies who provide this service can be found at http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/cfm. Applicants must pay the required evaluation fee.