Paralegal (Economic Justice Section) - Portland

The Oregon Department of Justice is seeking an experienced Paralegal to join the Civil Enforcement Division in Portland for a hybrid in-office/remote position. The selected candidate will provide paralegal assistance to attorneys in the Economic Justice Section with an emphasis on providing litigation support, primarily working on consumer protection matters.

Responsibilities

• Independently analyzes opponents’ pleadings and correspondence (e.g., answers, cross claims, settlement proposals); drafts response (e.g., motions for summary judgment, replies, rule 21 motions) or initiates appropriate action. Independently tracks case progress and prepares necessary pleadings (e.g., motions and orders, complaints/answers, briefs, judgments, stipulations, covenants, other legal memoranda). Edits and proofreads documents
• Reviews case files for sufficiency of documentation and obtains necessary additional information and materials. Locates evidence via public records and document productions. Conducts independent investigations or assists investigation team in investigatory process
• Reviews discovery materials, witness interviews/depositions/testimony, exhibits and other evidentiary documentation. Summarizes, digests and codes transcripts from trials and other proceedings. Reads, understands, and summarizes depositions and documents relevant to legal issues in litigation hearings. Schedules depositions, obtain and prepare fees, sends out notices
• Reviews, researches, and interprets state and federal statutes, regulations, and rules for specific legal issues. Research and summarize legislative histories
• Calendars and monitors for deadlines; performs other case file management and organization duties; maintains and updates case file logs
• Organizes, maintains, and updates section’s “brief bank” of prior legal research; locates information responsive to specific legal questions and issues
• Responds to inquiries regarding technical and legal aspects of cases, determining how much information can be disclosed without violating ethical codes/confidentiality provisions. Explains certain legal procedures, deals with representatives of the opposing party regarding pertinent case records and case status, orally interviews and corresponds in writing with complainants, potential witnesses, or defendants

Skills

• Two-year Associate degree in Paralegal or Legal Assistant Studies
• Eighteen months of Paralegal experience
• Any combination of training and experience that demonstrates experience in legal work, independent judgment, legal terminology principles, concepts, systems, and processes. Experience must include discovery and trial methods and procedures, legal ethics and skill in preparing legal documents, interviewing witnesses and explaining legal issues
• Work experience is based on a 40-hour work week. (Example: 20 hours a week for one year would equal six-months of work experience.)
• Ability to organize and prioritize work duties and deadlines
• Experience working independently as a paralegal in all aspects of a civil litigation caseload that includes a variety of matters and legal issues
• Experience drafting complaints, petitions, motions, discovery requests and subpoenas
• Experience assisting attorneys in litigation matters, including electronic filing in both federal and state courts
• Experiencing interviewing witnesses, deposition preparation and summarizing depositions
• Experience working with clients and third parties, including written or oral communications
• Experience maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive case information
• Proficiency with Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point, Relativity and Everlaw
• Experience using an electronic case management system
• Ability to work collaboratively as a team
• Ability to communicate clearly and efficiently
• Dependability, flexibility and adaptability with change and shifting priorities

Benefits

• Vacation
• Sick leave
• 11 paid holidays a year
• Special days off
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Pension and retirement programs
• Peer and management support, and representation by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
• Opportunity to expand your professional skills

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