Under the supervision of an assistant attorney general, performs paralegal work (e.g., analyzing facts, composing initial drafts of documents and pleadings, interviewing witnesses, etc.) on assigned cases or projects at an entry level.  These positions possess sufficient knowledge, training and experience to perform work which, absent the paralegal, would for the most part be performed by an assistant attorney general. 

This is the first level of the series.  Positions analyze facts, compose documents and pleadings, interview witnesses, research legal issues and evaluate the facts of cases, coordinate the preparation for litigation, track status of cases from summons to trial, draft legal notices and perform other paralegal work. Incumbents possess sufficient knowledge, training and experience to perform the work, which absent the paralegal, would be performed by an attorney.

Applies legal and/or strategic criteria in developing and organizing litigation, investigation and research files and related documents; monitors case progress; 

Performs legal research using both manual and electronic means to gather, analyze, and shepardize information relevant to litigation regarding specific topics, statutes, case law, court rules, and legislative history; 

Composes pleadings, legal notices, and/or other legal documents in accordance with court rules and statutes; investigates facts of cases; interviews potential witnesses; 

Schedules and prepares questions for depositions; summarizes deposition content; 

Drafts interrogatories, requests for documents and responses to same; 

Identifies, compiles and selects documents and exhibits for discovery and trial; 

Takes notes at depositions and/or trials; 

Organizes and prepares trial notebooks; 

Directs support staff in copying documents and maintaining files; 

May testify at hearings and/or trials; 

Collects, organizes and analyzes factual information and documents related to litigation, potential litigation, or legal services to a agency/institution client; 

Organizes and maintains litigation, investigation, and research files and tracks case status; 

Negotiates, under close supervision, claims with recurring or readily identifiable legal concepts or simple fact patterns; or claims of moderate monetary impact;  

Performs other work as required.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position. 

Two years' experience as a paralegal.  

OR 

Graduation from an accredited two-year paralegal course.  

OR 

Graduation from an accredited four-year college and completion of a nine-month paralegal program or one year paralegal experience.   

OR 

Three years' experience as a legal secretary/assistant and 30 quarter or equivalent semester hours in non-secretarial legal courses which are normally part of a paralegal course at a college or community college.  

OR 

Equivalent education/experience.