Paralegal

General DescriptionThe Paralegal/Legal Clerk position is responsible for providing administrative support for the Department with an emphasis on reviewing documents, drafting briefs, maintaining files, and supporting the day-to-day activities related to the Department.

This job works under general supervision, independently developing work methods and sequences.

Duties and Responsibilities

The functions listed below are those that represent most of the time spent working in this job. The City Attorney may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the job as necessary.

General Duties

To provide paralegal support and assistance to attorneys in the Legal Department; and to perform complex legal duties as assigned. Duties will include but not be limited to processing, reviewing, and responding to public information requests; drafting legal documents and correspondence; performing legal research; preparing legal memoranda; and coordination of litigation and assisting in the preparation of court pleadings; and.

Essential Functions:

Public Information Requests

Conduct and process legal review of requests for information submitted pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, including:

Coordinate with City departments as necessary to ensure accurate, timely requests are appropriately processed.

Reviewing information provided by various departments in response to requests for public information.

Identify exceptions to public disclosure to maintain confidentiality of information authorized by law.

Redact confidential information in accordance with the Texas Public Information Act.

Draft correspondence to requestors of public information, the Office of the Attorney General, and third parties.

Submit opinion requests through the Attorney General's electronic filing system and via certified mail.

Track deadlines and adhering to such deadlines for all opinion requests.

Comply with Rulings by the Office of the Attorney General.

Maintain office files pertaining to requests for public information.

Litigation

Draft and prepare legal documents for review, approval and use by the respective attorney.

Perform legal research and preparing legal memoranda for review, approval and use by the respective attorney.

Coordinate and assist with preparation of pleadings, discovery, and other documents associated with litigation.

Coordinates with and assists outside counsel on legal matters.

Establish and maintain efficient record-keeping and filing systems.

Establish and maintain a litigation calendar.

Document all activity performed in case files.