Paralegal I

Dane County District Attorney's Office in Madison, WI has a vacancy for a full-time (1.0 FTE) Paralegal I position. The eligible list created from this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies that occur within the next six (6) months.

About the role

Under general supervision, this is the entry level of the Paralegal I-II series. This work is characterized by structured and closely reviewed work assignments performed with an increasing level of autonomy once applicable standards, policies and procedures are learned. Progression to Paralegal II will require a minimum of three (3) years’ experience as a Paralegal I with Dane County or three (3) years with a comparable agency and the demonstrated knowledge and skills to independently perform all the duties of the Paralegal I.

As an employer, we strive to provide a work environment where diversity and differing opinions are valued, creativity is encouraged, continuous learning and improvement are fostered, teamwork and open/honest communication are encouraged, and meeting customer needs through quality service is a shared goal. All employees must be able to demonstrate multicultural competence — the awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to work with others who are culturally different from self in meaningful, relevant, and productive ways. Applicants from traditionally underrepresented populations including women, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

The following are examples of duties for various units within the office:

District Attorney - Criminal/Traffic – Paralegal I

• Provides paralegal assistance to attorneys in the preparation and handling of criminal cases for filing, resolution, or trial by conducting research and gathering evidence, organizing and evaluating that information, recommending courses of action, and preparing legal documents as necessary for legal actions.
• Drafts criminal complaints as well as other pleadings and correspondence related to criminal cases.
• Evaluates and monitors the status of cases and ensures appropriate action is taken to comply with strict statutory deadlines.
• Confers with attorneys, police departments, and defendants regarding all aspects of civil and criminal cases.
• Performs legal research and analyzes criminal history backgrounds.
• Monitors court notices and subpoenas witnesses for hearings.
• Obtains necessary court documents.
• Organizes hard copy and electronic files in criminal cases for contested hearings and trials.
• Updates information and documents in the District Attorney's PROTECT case management system.
• Organizes criminal files and actively participates in weekly status conferences and/or weekly pretrial conference court proceedings.
• Performs other related work as required.

Corporation Counsel – Paralegal I

• Provides paralegal assistance to attorneys in the preparation and handling of juvenile, mental, civil, and child support cases for resolution or trial by conducting research and gathering evidence, obtaining information from outside agencies, county departments, and members of the public; organizing and evaluating that information; recommending courses of action; and preparing legal documents for legal actions.
• Drafts petitions and complaints, as well as other pleadings, correspondence, and proposed orders related to a variety of cases and case types.
• Evaluates and monitors the status of cases and ensures appropriate action is taken to comply with strict statutory or regulatory deadlines.
• Confers with attorneys, police agencies, personnel at multiple county departments, and witnesses regarding all aspects of juvenile and civil cases.
• Performs legal research and investigates the whereabouts and statuses of parties.
• Monitors court notices and subpoenas witnesses for hearings.
• Analyzes and monitors case status in the KIDS system for child support cases.
• Obtains necessary court documents.
• Organizes hard copy and electronic files for hearings and trials.
• Updates information and documents into the Legal Files case management system.
• Manages assigned attorneys' calendars.
• Organizes trial binders.
• Actively participates in discussions and meetings with attorneys for effective communication.
• Performs other related work as required.

Corporation Counsel – Child Support – Paralegal I

• Provides paralegal assistance to attorneys and the legal support team in the preparation and handling of child support cases by conducting research and gathering evidence, obtaining information from outside agencies, county departments, and members of the public; organizing and evaluating that information; recommending courses of action; and preparing legal documents for legal actions.
• Serves as the lead for the legal support staff, providing paralegal assistance to attorneys and monitoring the work of the legal support staff to ensure compliance with court and agency deadlines.
• Trains, assigns, and monitors the work of legal support staff; develops and maintains training curriculum, guides, and best practices.
• Drafts pleadings, correspondence, proposed orders, and other legal documents for child support cases using wiKIDS and the Kids Information Database System (KIDS).
• Evaluates and monitors the status of cases and ensures appropriate action is taken to comply with strict statutory or regulatory deadlines.
• Confers with attorneys, police agencies, service of process agencies, personnel at multiple county departments regarding all aspects of child support cases.
• Acts as a liaison to the Family Court Commissioner Center, Clerk of Courts, and Sheriff’s Office to facilitate court processes.
• Provides calendaring support for hearings.
• Analyzes and monitors case status in the KIDS system.
• Obtains necessary court documents.
• Organizes hard copy and electronic files for hearings.
• Participates in special projects and serves as a backup to the legal support staff as needed.
• Performs other related work as required.

Clerk of Court - Probate – Paralegal I

• Contacts or interviews defendants, defense attorneys, agencies, social workers, social services agencies, governmental and quasi-governmental agencies, and others to obtain and/or promulgate necessary data and information.
• Contacts judges, defendants, and attorneys to explain the status of cases, policies, and law regarding fines, DPA (alternative payment plans).
• Prepares and sets up alternative restitution, bench warrants, arrest warrants, and bail or bonds.
• Performs case processing research — including bankruptcy, evaluates available information, and recommends or takes appropriate action.
• Drafts bankruptcy proofs of claim, prepares motions to vacate arrest warrants, wage assignments, and other legal papers.
• Monitors the payment status of fines and performance of community service; prepares and mails collection letters and notices; prepares and presents statistical information on collections of fines and court costs.

Clerk of Court - Family – Paralegal I

• Provides oversight of family and paternity case filings ensuring compliance with all Wisconsin statutory requirements and other legal mandates and rules as they pertain to the processing of family-related matters.
• Works closely with attorneys and unrepresented parties by explaining the process and procedures, assisting with identifying forms, and assisting in related areas.
• Ensures that parties adhere to timelines, laws, and rules through close case monitoring.
• Provides general oversight of family and paternity-related actions but does not render legal advice and/or assume the role of legal counsel for any party to an action.

Clerk of Court - Guardianship – Paralegal I

• Processes and oversees, through timely and consistent mentoring, court filings related to guardianships (i.e., juvenile and adult guardianships of person/estate; protective placements; and trusts) to ensure compliance with all Wisconsin statutory requirements and rules.
• Serves as the primary information agent regarding procedural requirements in these areas for court staff, attorneys, and the general public.
• Reviews activities and involvements of all guardians appointed by the Probate Court.
• Reviews annual reports and accounts, and placements of individuals with protective placement orders.
• Coordinates with other agencies, statewide committees, and networks regarding procedures and changes in laws and forms.

Requirements

Any combination of education, training, and/or experience equivalent to:

• A High School Diploma, Associate’s degree, or Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in a Paralegal program or similar field; or
• Two (2) years’ work experience, which includes substantial emphasis on collecting and analyzing information and interpreting guidelines, regulations, and/or laws applicable to prosecution within the Wisconsin judicial system; or
• Two (2) years of increasingly responsible clerical experience with substantial public contact, one (1) year of which includes legal clerical experience in a court system, law office, or similar environment.

Special Requirements

• Must have a valid driver’s license, or access to reliable personal transportation, or equivalent.
• Must be available for occasional night or weekend work as required, for example in preparation for and assistance with a contested matter such as a jury trial.
• Depending on the assigned unit/department, expect exposure to secondary trauma. Content can be graphic, violent, tragic, and sensitive in nature.
• Some positions may require a criminal background check which can include fingerprinting due to the nature of the job’s responsibilities.
• For bilingual positions, provide services in both English and the required foreign language (e.g., Spanish, Arabic, Hmong). Applicants being considered for bilingual positions will be tested during the recruitment process.

Physical and Environmental Work Requirements

• Work in an office environment.
• Ability to use hand and wrist motion.
• Ability to see and hear within normal ranges with or without adaptive devices.
• Ability to skillfully multi-task, work quickly and accurately with a variety of personalities, in an exceptionally fast-paced legal office setting where workload can be excessive, very time-sensitive, and deadlines are dictated by Wisconsin Law and the Judiciary.

Skills

• Knowledge of modern office practices and procedures, including use of software systems and methods of organizing and tracking hard copy and electronic documents; proficiency in technology skills and application.
• Knowledge of criminal and civil laws, criminal and civil justice system procedures and practices.
• Knowledge of legal terms and papers, basic investigatory principles.