Review Vacancy
AgencyAttorney General, Office of the
TitleLegal Assistant 1 or Trainee (NY HELPS) - Litigation (Section E)
Bargaining UnitASU - Administrative Services Unit (CSEA)
Salary RangeFrom $47695 to $68630 Annually
Duties Description This position is in the Litigation Bureau and performs the following duties:
• Provide support to Assistant Attorneys General (AAGs) in the Litigation Bureau’s Education Agencies Section, including the handling of confidential materials and knowledge of Bureau and OAG protocols, procedures, and resources.
• Assist in the drafting and preparation of forms, correspondence and legal documents for state and federal litigation (e.g., reviewing and/or drafting legal pleadings, discovery demands and responses, motions, memoranda and briefs, affidavits, privilege logs, correspondence, etc.).
• Update, maintain, and search litigation cases in OAG’s case management system (NYMatters), including conflicts checks, POL § 17 representation analysis, and scanning and transferring documents into NYMatters; and set up, maintain, and update hard copy and database records of all cases that are assigned to the Section, including in NYMatters.
• Access and utilize Internet-based research tools and electronic state and federal court docketing databases.
• Organize and manage litigation documents using both electronic (including, but not limited to, Relativity and/or other platforms) and hard copy document management systems.
• Index, categorize, review, redact, duplicate, and Bates-stamp documents to be produced in discovery, including electronic indexing and creating production charts and privilege logs.
• Copy, scan, and assemble legal papers.
• Prepare chronologies of facts and case activity using MS Excel or MS Word.
• Proofread and cite-check legal documents, including Bluebooking legal citations.
• Assist in preparing and filing documents in court, including service of documents on parties.
• Assist in all aspects of deposition, hearing, and trial preparation including, but not limited to, fact investigation and preparation of exhibits, and provide direct assistance at actual depositions, hearings, and trials.
• Prepare tables of contents and authorities in MS Word using styles, marking citations, etc.
• Prepare records in Civil Practice Law and Rules article 78 proceedings, including organizing administrative record documents from various sources/formats, as well as creating, combining, redacting, and Bates numbering PDFs in Adobe Acrobat.
• Prepare routine templates and legal documents, including notices of appearance, judgments, and notices of entry.
• Arrange conference calls, witness interviews, court reporters, and production/copy service.
• Handle logistics, including scheduling, for depositions and other litigation events.
• Organize and index case files for archiving.
• Interface with other attorneys and staff in the Litigation Bureau and other OAG bureaus or regional offices on an as-needed basis.
• Interface with the Managing Attorney’s Office, as well as with court clerks and staff, concerning court filings, scheduling, service issues, and other related tasks.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications NY HELPS:
This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).
For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply.
At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.
NON-COMPETITIVE QUALIFICATIONS:
Legal Assistant 1 (CSEA, SG-14, current starting salary $56,506, job rate $68,630)*:
Candidates must have:
A minimum of two years of full-time experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant (see “Definition” below).
OR
An associate degree (or higher) in Paralegal/Legal Assistant/Legal Studies or a certificate in a Paralegal/Legal Assistant program where the degree was granted from a regionally accredited college or university or one approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).
OR
An associate degree in any field where the degree was granted from a regionally accredited college or university or one approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) and one year of full-time experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant (see “Definition” below).
Substitution: Graduation from an accredited (ABA approved) law school with a degree required for NYS Bar will be accepted as meeting the educational and experience requirements for this title.
Definition: A Paralegal/Legal Assistant is someone who applies knowledge of the law and legal procedures in rendering direct assistance to lawyers, clients, and courts; prepares and interprets legal documents and forms; researches, compiles, and uses information from legal materials to provide both written and verbal comments on their findings; and analyzes and handles routine procedural problems independently with minimal attorney oversight. Non-qualifying experience includes receptionist, records clerk, bookkeeper, and office manager.
OTHER WAYS TO QUALIFY:
Reachable on the Department of Civil Service eligible list for Legal Assistant 1 or Legal Assistant Trainee (see note below regarding traineeship requirements).
OR
Eligible for a lateral transfer or eligible for transfer under Sections 70.1 of the Civil Service Law by having one year of permanent competitive service in an appropriate title. To determine if your current Civil Service title is eligible for transfer to this title, visit the Career Mobility GOT-IT website.
TRAINEESHIP: Trainees must successfully complete a set training and development program to be advanced to the full performance level of this title. If you are appointed as a Trainee 1 (CSEA, NS ~ equated to SG-11, current starting salary $47,695; job rate $58,447), upon satisfactory completion of the 12-month training as a Trainee 1, you will automatically advance to Trainee 2 (CSEA, NS ~ equated to SG-13, current starting salary $53,413, job rate $65,061)*. Upon satisfactory completion of the 12-month training as a Trainee 2, you will advance to the full level of this title (CSEA, SG-14) without further examination.
Additional Comments *The base salary will include an additional $4,000 per year in downstate adjustment location pay.
Careers with the State offer multiple benefits including paid vacation leave (13+ days per year), sick leave, paid State holidays off, health insurance including vision & dental, entry into the NYS retirement (pension) system, education and training, eligibility for public student loan forgiveness, and job stability with promotional opportunities. Workplace flexibilities include multiple options for employees including telecommuting (up to two days per week) and alternative work schedules.
The agency's hours of operation are Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 pm (37.5 hours/week).
Scheduling determinations are dependent upon the needs of the Bureau/Unit and will be communicated during interviews.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Email Address HR.Recruitment@ag.ny.gov
Address
Street NYS Office of the Attorney General
The Capitol
Notes on ApplyingIn your submission, you must provide sufficient information to determine from your resume and/or cover letter that you meet the minimum qualifications stated above. If a certificate or degree is required to demonstrate that you meet the minimum qualifications, you must provide proof that you hold the required certificate or degree.
APPLICATIONS ARE BEING RECEIVED ONLINE.
To apply, please copy and past the following URL into your web browser:
https://lgr.ag.ny.gov/ords/f?p=136:10:::::P10_LGR_JOB_ID,P10_POSITIONTYPE,P10_LGR_WRITING_SAMPLE_IND:6302,22,N
Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
The OAG is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to workplace diversity.