Paralegal

Full Job Description

The Metropolitan Public Defender’s Office represents adults accused of crimes in Davidson County who cannot afford to hire a lawyer, and children in Davidson County charged with being delinquent and unable to hire a lawyer.

Cases range from the lowest level misdemeanor to complex homicide cases.

Our mission is to defend the liberty, honor and constitutional rights of the individuals, of all ages, whose cases have been entrusted to us.

Through zealous advocacy, we strive not only to deliver excellence in our representation of each and every client, but also to stand with our clients and the community in working to create a more just, fair and compassionate legal system.

The guiding principle of the Office is that each client is entitled to quality representation that recognizes the client's dignity and achieves the best possible outcome for the case.

Our attorneys, investigators, social workers and support staff take great pride in providing a high level of service.

This is a non-Civil Service announcement. Provides advanced litigation and non-litigation support services for attorneys. Performs related duties as required

Requirements

• Assists with hearing and trial preparation
• Researches case law and statutory law
• Reviews case materials to become familiar with questions under consideration
• Drafts and reviews pleadings and other documents
• Prepares or obtains and files necessary reports and documents for the use of attorneys in preparation of opinions, briefs, and other legal documents
• Assists with client and witness interviews
• Assists with client and client family communications
• Prepares trial notebooks and participates in defense team case consultations
• Creates and documents electronic and paper client files, opens and closes files, assists other paralegals with management of client file room and annual file archiving process
• Prepares dockets- performs initial conflict checks and may assist attorney team leader with assignment of new cases and/or probation violations
• Transcribes court proceedings, case-related recordings as needed
• Files, serves, and delivers documents with courts and others as necessary
• Performing any other tasks and duties as assigned

Qualifications

Paralegal Certificate and at least two years of relevant experience, or extensive experience in an equivalent legal support role required

Additional Information

• Knowledge of the fundamentals of civil law and legal methods and procedures.
• Knowledge of the fundamentals of the Tennessee Court structure and the legal system of the United States.
• Knowledge of legal writing and research techniques.
• Skill in written and oral communication.
• Ability to research information diligently.
• Ability to deal courteously with the public.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships

Must submit a Resume and Cover Letter

Candidates with accreditations earned in a foreign institute are encouraged to apply.

Note: Per Metro Ordinance No.SO94-1078. All employees of the Metropolitan Government shall be residents of the State of Tennessee or become residents of the state within six (6) months of employment as a prerequisite to employment with the Metropolitan Government.

We are an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.

Metro Nashville Government respects the religious beliefs and practices of all employees and will make, on request, an accommodation for such observances when a reasonable accommodation is available that does not create an undue hardship on business operations.

Requests for ADA accommodation for the recruitment process should be directed to Candice Humphrey at 615-862-5565 or CandiceCHumphrey@jisnashville.gov.