The NYC Law Department is currently seeking a permanent paralegal aide for a level 2 position within its Special Federal Litigation Division. Under supervision, with latitude for independent initiative and judgment, the qualified candidates will assist through various stages of legal proceedings and performs various types of paralegal duties including, but not limited to the following:

Managing a large caseload from inception to conclusion of the cases.

Working closely with staff attorneys and representatives of other agencies in order to obtain documents and information.

Assisting attorneys in preparation for and during trial.

Requesting documents such as police, medical, employment and criminal records. Conducting telephone and submitting written follow up requests when documents are not received.

Preparing legal documents such as subpoenas, releases, letters of request and settlement papers.

Performing data entry with use of some databases and programs such as LawManager and Summation.

May go to court or other agencies to request, obtain, submit or file documents.

Some of the physical activities performed may include lifting and carrying large boxes and/or heavy files, climbing stairs and travel by public transportation in all kinds of weather.

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.

Additional Qualification Requirements for Level 2: 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 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 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 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. Candidates are preferred to be able to work independently, be assertive, highly organized, detail-oriented and have excellent computer skills, and written and oral communication skills. Candidates should be able to create and edit documents in Microsoft Word and Excel. Candidates are preferred to be computer proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and other Microsoft Office applications. As well as FileSite and Law Manager.

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.