The NYC Law Department is seeking a qualified candidate for a Paralegal, Level 2 position in the Commercial and Real Estate Litigation Division. This position encompasses work of varying degrees of difficulty and responsibility performed under the supervision of higher level staff and/or attorneys.

Under supervision, with latitude for independent initiative and judgment, the qualified candidate will assist through various stages of legal proceedings performing one or more various types of paralegal duties related to complex commercial and real estate cases including but not limited to the following:

Assist attorneys with case investigations by, for example, locating witnesses and retrieving documents from Federal, State and City agencies.

Assist the Mortgage Foreclosure Unit in preparing answers, stipulations, court filings, maintain files and produce spreadsheets.

Provide support to attorneys during pre-trial, trial and post-trial phases.

Prepare trial exhibits.

Organize and manage voluminous litigation files in complex cases.

Assemble, serve and file court papers, which may involve appearance in court at calendar call.

Retrieve court decisions.

Perform administrative tasks, such as data entry/retrieval in Law Manager and Relativity.

Digest deposition transcripts.

Conduct routine legal research.

Assist in preparation of correspondence and various legal documents, such as subpoenas, notices of entry, stipulations and notices of appearances.

Attend document inspections.

Some of the physical activities performed and environmental conditions experienced include lifting and carrying boxes and files; climbing stairs; and traveling throughout the City on all types of public transportation, and/or walking in all kinds of weather, often carrying files.

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, accredited by regional, national, professional or specialized agencies recognized as accrediting bodies by the U.S. Secretary of Education and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA); or
2. An associate degree or completion of 60 semester credits from an accredited college, accredited by regional, national, professional or specialized agencies recognized as accrediting bodies by the U.S. Secretary of Education and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and two years of full-time satisfactory experience, acquired in the United States, in the performance of paralegal (legal assistant) services; or
3. A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a State’s Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization and four years of full-time satisfactory experience, acquired in the United States, in the performance of paralegal (legal assistant) services; or
4. A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience which is equivalent to “1”, “2” or “3” above. Paralegal Certification obtained in the United States from an accredited program or from a program approved by the American Bar Association can be substituted for 12 months of experience. Undergraduate credit can be substituted for experience on the basis of 30 semester credits from an accredited college for 12 months of experience. However, all candidates must have at least a four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a State’s Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization.

To be acceptable, experience in paralegal (legal assistant) services must have involved the American Legal System.

Experience which is primarily legal secretarial or includes only incidental paralegal (legal assistant) services is not acceptable.
Special Note:
Individuals must have one additional year of pertinent paralegal experience or have a baccalaureate degree in addition to the requirements listed above to be eligible for placement in Assignment Level II duties and pay of Paralegal Aide.

Must be proficient in Microsoft Office applications. Please be advised that any candidate currently a City employee as a Paralegal Level 2 chosen for this position will move into the position laterally. Candidates MUST possess one of the following four Additional Qualification Requirements for Level 2: 1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and either (a) 1 year of full-time satisfactory experience acquired in the United States, in the performance of paralegal (legal assistant) services or (b) Paralegal Certification obtained in the United States from an accredited program or a program approved by the American Bar Association or 2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college including or supplemented by a combination of 12 semester credits in U.S. History, U.S. Political Science, U.S. Law, U.S. Paralegal Studies, U.S. Criminal Justice, U.S. Urban Studies, International Relations and/or U.S. Legal Studies or 3. An associate degree or completion of 60 credits from an accredited college and three years of full-time satisfactory experience acquired in the United States, in the performance of paralegal (legal assistant) services or 4. A four year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a State's Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization and five years of full-time satisfactory experience acquired in the United States, in the performance of paralegal (legal assistant) services. Experience which is primarily legal secretarial or includes only incidental paralegal (legal assistant) services is not acceptable. To be acceptable, experience in paralegal (legal assistant) services must have involved the American Legal System.

This position is open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate in your cover letter and resume that you would like to be considered for the position under the 55-a Program. If you wish to learn about the 55-a Program, please visit https://www1.nyc.gov/site/dcas/employment/55-a-program.page.

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.