The Harris County Attorney's Office (HCAO) is hiring a Paralegal to join our Defensive Litigation Division which represents the nation's third largest county, its elected officials, and 18,000 employees in state and federal litigation. The Defensive Litigation Division defends suits ranging from state tort actions to federal civil rights suits, and other unique and imaginative cases. The Paralegal will perform delegated and supervised substantive legal work which requires an understanding of legal principles and procedures. The Paralegal in this role is responsible for ensuring the smooth and timely preparation of cases from inception through trial and appeal, and will act as the liaison between the courts, clerks, attorneys, and the public as needed.In addition to the ability to earn compensatory time for hours worked in excess of 40 hours per workweek, the selected candidate may be eligible to participate in the HCAO telework program, which currently allows employees to work from home a few days per week. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manages a high-volume caseload.
• Drafts, proofs, files, and/or mails legal documents such as affidavits, motions, responses, answers, subpoenas, and pleadings.
• Prepares for motions, trial, and appeal by compiling motion and trial notebooks, assembling jury instructions, and compiling exhibit lists.
• Gathers, organizes, redacts, and produces discovery.
• Maintains and updates electronic case files in CACI case management software.
• Calendars hearings, docket control orders, and deadlines for cases.
• Attends hearings and trials.
• Conducts research assignments.
• Communicates and acts as a liaison between the courts, clerks, attorneys, and the public as needed.
• Performs multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining an effective balance of priorities and high productivity.
• Responds promptly to phone calls, emails, and other correspondence.
• Participates in one-on-one sessions with the supervisor and/or manager to give and receive feedback.
• Participates in Division staff meetings.
• Assist attorneys and other paralegals as needed and is flexible with unanticipated deadlines.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Other Duties:

• This Job Description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position.

• Management may, at its discretion, assign, or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx
 If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net. This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

• Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated litigation experience.

• The base compensation for this position will be determined on the candidate’s qualifications and the pay of other employees in the job function. Total compensation includes attractive paid leave programs, health benefits, and retirement plans.
• In addition, the position is eligible for the accrual of compensatory time off for hours worked over 40 in a workweek, consistent with Harris County personnel policies and procedures.