Job & Business Opportunities

Job Summary

This classification is primarily responsible for performing tasks with either a litigation or transactional emphasis. This is the advanced journey, highly specialized and/or lead level within this series and is responsible for the most complex assignments. The incumbent may perform full supervisory duties but does not do so for a preponderance of time. Work mainly involves the review of information, including summarization, analysis, and interpretation.

Transactional Emphasis: Contract preparation; information tracking and recording; due diligence, clerical and Other related duties as assigned.

Litigation Emphasis: Legal research and case management, other related duties as assigned.

Supervision

Supervision Received
This class works under general supervision and direction, wherein the incumbent receives general instructions regarding the scope and approach to projects or assignments, but procedures and techniques are left to the discretion of the employee.

Supervision Exercised:
This class may provide direct and/or indirect supervision to lower level personnel; however, this supervisory responsibility is not the primary purpose of the class.

Distinguishing Characteristics

N/A

Essential Functions

A. Document and Correspondence Preparation
Duties may include:
Coordinate with contract administration staff. Prepares correspondence, draft contracts, resolutions, ordinances, and other legal documents, and finalizes with minimal attorney direction. Verify all necessary documentation is present and contracts are signed in accordance with applicable requirements before releasing. Other related duties as assigned.

B. Legal Research
Duties may include:
Perform research for attorneys as requested using computer and printed resources. Locate contracts, District policies, ordinances, and information from prior Board meetings. Other related duties as assigned.

C. Information Tracking and Recording
Duties may include:
Maintain Legal Division lists on Headways, Update and maintain pending contracts list on Intranet. Track contracts through signature process. Maintain office files for pending transactions. Coordinate and calendar responses to Public Records Act requests and Requests for Production. Calendar contract expiration dates and monitor same. Manage archived files. Other related duties as assigned.

D. Subordinate Staff Oversight:
Duties may include:
Direct contract distribution for signatures and for final release. Ensure proper file maintenance and creation of new files. Verify that correspondence, invoices, and contract distribution are completed in timely manner. Supervise law library maintenance and updates. Review Administrative Assistant assignments as requested by Attorney. Train and assist Administrative Assistant regarding contract distribution and filing process, and legal division processes. Other related duties as assigned.

E. Miscellaneous Duties
Duties may include:
May provide notary services for the District. Provide backup support for payroll, mail sorting, and law library updates.

Litigation Emphasis:
A. Document and Correspondence Preparation
Duties may include:
Draft responses to discovery. Summarize medical records and depositions. Draft correspondence to opposing counsel regarding discovery extensions. Draft simple motions regarding discovery issues. Summarize discovery responses received from other parties. Determine need for further or supplemental discovery responses. Process completed correspondence and legal documents for mailing. Photocopy legal documents. Reproduce color photos as required. Other related duties as assigned.

B. Legal Research
Duties may include:
Research local court rules for legal calendaring purposes. Interpret and apply laws for use in preparation of cases for attorney review. Study civil and federal court rules for preparation of appropriate legal documents, and for compliance with subpoena timelines. Review witness cards and statements. Locate witnesses by information provided in case files and databases. Evaluate witnesses and potential witnesses, and obtain information through telephone interview. Receive review, and determine legal compliance of subpoena served on District. Other related duties as assigned.

C. Case Management
Duties may include:
Receive and review discovery for legal calendaring, ensure compliance with discovery deadlines, adjusting to comport to extensions given in line with discovery rules. Track down and maintain ongoing discovery in compliance with discovery rules. Calendar events and matters on legal calendaring system. Other related duties as assigned.

D. Miscellaneous Duties
Duties may include:
Accept service of process. May provide backup support for payroll, SAP, and mail sorting. Other related duties and projects as assigned.

E. Subordinate Staff Oversight:
Duties may include:
Review Administrative Assistant assignments as requested by Attorney. Train and assist Administrative Assistant regarding civil litigation projects and legal calendaring system. Other related duties as assigned.

Job Demands

Mobility: frequent use of keyboard; frequent sitting for long periods of time; occasional bending or squatting.
Lifting: frequently up to 10 pounds; occasionally up to 25 pounds.
Vision: constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work; occasional color and depth vision.
Dexterity; frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, reaching.
Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the phone.
Emotional/Psychological: frequent decision-making and concentration; frequent public and/or coworker contact; occasional working alone.
Environmental: None noted

Knowledge and Abilities

Required Knowledge of:
English usage, grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Notary commission and signing requirements.
Methods of legal research.
Computer research and software.
Legal calendaring software.
Applicable rules and laws regarding different types of legal documents.

Transactional Emphasis
Corporate signing requirements, procurement ordinance, basic contract law, and service of process statutes.
Contract specification requirements.
FTA lobbying requirements.
Civil and federal court rules, discovery rules, court timelines, format requirements, locations and business hours.
File legal documents with the appropriate court department.
Medical terminology.

Required Ability to:
Learn District Legal Division procedures.
Learn District Conflict of Interest Code.
Learn District and departmental operating policies, procedures, systems, methods, and tasks.
Speak clearly and communicate messages to appropriate individuals.
Organize information clearly and precisely.
Communicate effectively with coworkers on projects.
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationship with others in the District.
Locate and apply correct rules, laws, and legal principles.
Understand legal concepts.
Plan, organize, develop, and supervise the projects for timely completion and attorney review.

Litigation Emphasis
Communicate effectively during oral interviews with witnesses.
Effectively communicate with witnesses to be able to elicit information from witnesses that may be helpful to the case.
Locate and retrieve documents from District departments in compliance with subpoena.
Interpret and understand what documents are being requested in subpoena and comply with production dates.
Keep discovery within the time constraints per civil and federal rules of court, discovery procedures, and court timelines.
Interpret court’s notices to attorneys regarding legal calendaring system.

Required Computer Skills:
Common word processing software.
Common spreadsheet software.
Common database applications.
ERMS software concepts.
Accounting or operations software functionality.
Email, contact management, and scheduling software.
Project management software.
Presentation software.

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

Required Prior Experience
Four years experience performing law-related duties under the direct supervision of an active California State Bar certified attorney.

Required Education, Licenses and/or Certificates
High School diploma or equivalent and possession of a Paralegal Certificate as defined under Section 6450 of the California Business and Professions Code. California notary license is highly desirable.