See Paralegal 1.

Positions perform journey-level paralegal work in support of an Assistant Attorney General in litigation of state matters. Exercises independent judgement and decision making in identifying next steps in litigation and adjudication processes with broad guidance.

Utilizes data bases for tracking documents, pleadings, depositions and other legal documents; this includes the ability to use or modify existing computer data bases or work with Information Systems staff to create new computer programs for setting up data bases for major cases;

Responsible for analyzing, coding, and entering information into office subject-matter digests, brief banks, client advice files and current indices;

Prepares and makes recommendations to attorney for depositions, including research of witnesses, selecting and organizing exhibits and documents, and outlining questions;

Reviews answers to discovery for completeness, evasiveness, and propriety of objections;

Prepares deposition summaries, tracks depositions, interrogatories, pleadings and other legal documents;

Analyzes case fact situations of significant complexity for legal issue identification and development of legal strategy;

Assists in trial preparation, settlement negotiations and at trial with management of witnesses, documents, exhibits, and courtroom aids;

Keeps clients and witnesses informed of progress of cases;

Performs legal research in selected areas and shepardizes cases;

Negotiates under attorney supervision, settlements of routine cases of differing or recurring legal concepts;

Performs work performed by a Paralegal 1;

Trains, leads and mentors lower-level legal staff;   

Acts as lead paralegal responsible for assisting the lead attorney in coordinating paralegal work;

Performs other work as required;

Positions may supervise other legal support staff.

Knowledge of: legal terminology; current legal office practices; methods and procedures; law office communications; civil and appellate procedures and rules; legal requirements and proper procedure for service of legal pleadings on parties and witnesses; process and resources used to check and verify legal citations, references and quotation information for pleadings and legal memoranda; state and federal legal requirements regarding privilege and redaction of confidential information; discovery procedures; advanced skills in software and database applications typical of a law office; rules and regulations relating to witness appearance for trials and hearings, including preparation and service of required subpoena, lay and expert witness contracts and allowable compensation; correct punctuation, spelling, grammar and vocabulary skills.

Ability to: locate and independently interpret the highly technical local court rules and requirements set forth by multiple court venues; interpret ambiguous or nuanced local court rule requirements and take necessary action steps to ensure attorneys are aware of requirements and prepare and file documents in accordance with the requirements; independently prepare and format pleadings filed in multiple court venues following each local court’s rules and requirements; maintain confidentiality of restricted information; independently research court rules in multiple administrative, county, and appellate court venues to calculate filing deadlines and determine formatting and filing requirements for cases and pleadings; utilize case management systems and databases for tracking documents, pleadings, depositions, hearings, trials, and critical case and litigation deadlines; utilize litigation software; understand and follow written and oral instructions.

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.

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

Combination of four years of experience through paralegal certification, two-year paralegal degree, and/or paraprofessional experience in support of an attorney.

New class adopted September 14, 1979.
Revise class. Revises title (formerly Antitrust Legal Examiner 2), definition, minimum qualifications; adopted September 13, 1985.
Revise class. Revises title (formerly Legal Examiner 2), definition, minimum qualifications, adds distinguishing characteristics; adopted February 15, 1991.
Revise class. Revises class code (formerly 46620); adopted May 10, 2007, effective July 1, 2007.
Class series concept added, definition and distinguishing characteristics revised; additional class plan maintenance; salary range adjustment; adopted June 22, 2023 effective July 1, 2023.
July 27, 2023: Administrative correction: updated job specification to reflect June 22. 2023 adopted allocating criteria.

Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.