Paralegal

Work. Serve. Thrive. With the City of Durham.

Advance in your career while making a real difference in the community you serve.

Hiring Range: $63,242 - $85,000 Hours: 8:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.

Be part of the dynamic and diverse legal team providing legal services and representation to the Durham City Council, City Manager, and City government departments. The City Attorneys Office is seeking an experienced litigation paralegal to join the City Attorneys Office!

The Litigation Paralegal will provide litigation and case management support on municipal/local government matters, including civil litigation, condemnation/eminent domain, police law and civil rights matters, and administrative proceedings under North Carolina law. As a key member of our team, this position requires attention to detail, high level decision-making skills and a proactive work ethic.

In this role, you serve the mission of the City Attorney's Office and the overall mission of the City of Durham. The role provides interesting work that impacts the local community, work/life balance, and no billable hours. The ideal candidate will have a strong commitment to public service.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES :

• Draft, review, and analyze legal documents, including complaints, answers, motions, notices, orders, subpoenas, affidavits, and other court filings.
• Draft and manage discovery requests and responses, including interrogatories, requests for admissions, requests for production, etc.
• Assist with public records requests and responses under North Carolina law, including law enforcement agency recordings.
• Organize, analyze, and maintain case files using matter management software.
• Perform legal and factual research and investigations, including using legal research platforms such as Westlaw and LexisNexis, and cite-checking under attorney supervision.
• Schedule and maintain litigation calendars and track deadlines, monitor and provide notification of court and other deadlines, as well as appointments and meetings.
• Prepare correspondence, case status reports, and monthly litigation reports.
• Assist with preparation for hearings, mediations, administrative proceedings, and trials.
• Communicate directly with client departments, opposing counsel, outside counsel, experts, court personnel, etc.
• Provide general administrative support for the City Attorneys Office.
• Perform other duties of a similar nature and level as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Experience supporting attorneys in civil litigation. Strong oral and written communications skills. Highly organized with strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple matters and deadlines. Ability to draft complex legal documents with minimal to no errors. Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive public-sector matters. Proactive self-starter who can work independently and collaboratively. Ability to read, analyze, and absorb complex legal and factual information. Ability to perform statutory, local law, and case law research. Knowledge of rules of civil procedure and local court rules. Experience with PACER and NC eFiling system.

• Associates Degree in paralegal studies OR an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above, unless otherwise subject to any other requirements set forth in law or regulation..
• Three (3) years of paralegal experience.

• Proficient with paralegal research.
• Experience drafting pleadings.
• Experience with matter management software.
• Paralegal certification or Juris Doctor.
• Notary Public Commission or ability to attain within six months of hire.
• Experience in state or local government.