Paralegal

Main Purpose of Role

The Paralegal will work with the Executive Counsel team to carry out the administrative powers and duties assigned to Executive Counsel by the Commission, including but not limited to, assistance with meetings; reviewing records; drafting summaries, indexes, reports, memos and various other documents; maintaining records/files, data entry, compilation, tracking, maintenance and reporting; legal and general research; monitoring state and national cases, rules and legislation affecting the Commission and drafting proposals; litigation and evidence management; summarizing transcripts, reviewing discovery, digesting evidence, assisting with in-camera review of documents; redacting documents; proofreading; website monitoring and maintenance; MDEC filings; onboarding new appointees; training preparation; scheduling, planning, attendance, set up and break down for meetings and hearings; and other assigned projects to advance the work of the Commission.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Attending monthly meetings, drafting summaries, proofreading documents for final submission, data entry, reporting, and filing.
• Preparation for meetings may include uploading, downloading and duplicating materials, reviewing and summarizing materials, drafting documents, as well as coordinating technology and logistics for hosting virtual and in-person meetings.
• Assisting Executive Counsel with the drafting, review, revision, and/or transmittal of Minutes, reports, correspondence, agreements, Orders, recordings, responses to records requests, and various documents.
• Maintaining Executive Counsel’s records for meetings with the Board, Commission, Rules Committee, legal providers, and members of the Judiciary, Legislative, and Executive Branches of government.
• Conducting legal and general research and providing comprehensive memoranda.
• Maintaining and updating the Commission’s data collection (including historical) and reporting.
• Drafting, revising, proofreading and redacting documents for correspondence, presentations, trainings, hearings, and internal or external meetings.
• Organizing and maintaining case files, subject matter files, logs, indexes, exhibits, notebooks, Board records, and Commission records to ensure documents are current and accessible.
• Monitoring deadlines to ensure compliance, timely filings, and submissions.
• Cooking scheduling and follow up with Commission Members, Board Members, vendors, judiciary staff, and the general public as necessary.
• Monitoring the Commission’s website for necessary updates.
• Aiding in assessing budgetary needs, managing the procurement process, contract administration, as well as tracking, verifying, and confirming payment of invoices.
• Summarizing transcripts, reviewing discovery, digesting evidence, and assisting with in-camera review of documents.
• Monitoring state and national cases, rules and legislations related to the Commission’s work and drafting proposals. Aid in preparation for meetings related to cases, rules and legislation.
• Providing administrative support to Executive Counsel including coordinating daily operations, tracking and sending mail/emails, making and receiving calls, document management, data retrieval, copying, scanning, creating/maintaining filing systems for a myriad of matters, onboarding new appointees, and providing technology assistance to Executive Counsel, Board, and Commission Members.
• Scheduling, preparation, set up and break down for and attendance at hearings and conferences before the Commission and Supreme Court of Maryland.
• Preparing materials for conferences and hearings.
• Organizing and maintaining hearing filings, docket entries, evidence management, time records, and logs/indexes for hearings.
• Coordinating and managing logistics for Commission hearings (location, security, stenographer, audiovisual, technology, etc.) and troubleshooting as necessary.
• Preparing hearing records, as well as drafting, revising and proofreading Orders, Findings, Responses and Memoranda.
• Legal and general research relating to hearings and conferences.
• Aids in Executive Counsel with MDEC and other court related filings.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: AA Degree or Paralegal Certification
• Experience: Three (3) years of work experience in a legal or court environment to include researching and analyzing law sources, statues, record judicial proceedings, and legal documents.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of:
• General office skills and system maintenance (physical and computer files).
• Forms, office and court clerical practices, including filing and the operation of office equipment.
• Accurate record keeping principles, practices, and techniques.
• Knowledge of legal terminology, court procedures and judicial process in general; knowledge of the Maryland judicial disciplinary process is helpful but not required.
• Functions, procedures, rules, and regulations of the Supreme Court of Maryland’s Clerk’s Office.
• Skills in:
• The operation of personal computer and use of specified computer applications, such word processing, data entry, and spreadsheets.
• Adherence to office rules, policies, and procedures.
• Using initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
• Organize, prioritize, and coordinate multiple work activities and meet critical deadlines.
• Perform detailed clerical and legal processing accurately; Effectively apply rules, regulations, and other guides in completing assignments.
• Understand and follow instructions. Organize and maintain accessible and accurate filing systems and records to support the Commission’s specialized work.
• Business English proficiency, including proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Exceptional attention to detail entailing meticulous review of materials and assignment submissions for accuracy and avoiding errors.
• Strong written communication for drafting documents and emails.
• Strong organizational and critical thinking.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, conflict management and ability to develop professional working relationships and communicate effectively with members of the Board, Commission, staff, judiciary, attorneys, and the general public.
• Ability to:
• Maintain high ethical standards and strict confidentiality with sensitive information requiring discretion.
• Work independently, meet deadlines, solve problems, and work well under pressure.
• Be flexible, amenable to change and have the ability to manage multiple tasks well.
• Exercise mature judgment, sound ethics and manage stressful situations tactfully.
• Maintain a professional appearance and demeanor.
• Software and Computer Skills:
• Microsoft Office Suite (including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Co-Pilot, etc.), Adobe, ShareFile, SharePoint, Time Matters Lexis, Westlaw, online legal research sources, MDEC, ShareFile, Zoom, Teams, AI platforms, and general online search engines and resources.
• Travel Requirement:
• Occasional travel throughout the state for meetings, conferences, and hearings.