Paralegal
Job Description
Position Number:
128123Title:
CoordinatorFunctional Title:
ParalegalCategory Status:
33-Exempt RegularApplicant Search Category:
StaffUniversity Authorized FTE:
100Unit:
PRES-Office of General CounselCampus/College Information:
Founded in 1856, University of Maryland, College Park is the state’s flagship institution. Our 1,250-acre College Park campus is just minutes away from Washington, D.C., and the nexus of the nation’s legislative, executive, and judicial centers of power. This unique proximity to business and technology leaders, federal departments and agencies, and a myriad of research entities, embassies, think tanks, cultural centers, and non-profit organizations is simply unparalleled. Synergistic opportunities for our faculty and students abound and are virtually limitless in the nation’s capital and surrounding areas. The University is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding and diverse faculty and staff that will enhance our stature of preeminence in our three missions of teaching, scholarship, and full engagement in our community, the state of Maryland, and in the world.
Background Checks
Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify someone from employment. Prior to any adverse decision, finalists have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding the background check.
The University reserves the right to rescind offers of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.
Offers are contingent on providing proof of employment eligibility in the United States no more than 3 days after the initial start date. If this proof is not provided within this timeframe, the offer may be rescinded or employment terminated.
Position Summary/Purpose of Position:
The University of Maryland, College Park is one of the nation’s preeminent public research universities and the State of Maryland’s flagship university. The Office of General Counsel at the University of Maryland seeks an experienced paralegal to join its team.
Paralegals provide legal and administrative support services to all attorneys in the Office of General Counsel (OGC), the in-house office that provides legal support and advice to the University of Maryland, College Park. OGC is a fast-paced office that serves many high-priority client needs. The breadth of OGC’s legal practice requires Paralegals to be capable and willing to support OGC, its attorneys, and its support staff in a wide range of legal, operational, and administrative tasks. These include but are not limited to assisting with transactional legal work, including contract review, drafting, and negotiation; assisting with litigation, hearings, and other adversarial matters; legal and factual research and writing; performing records management; tracking the wide variety of matters handled by OGC; and supporting the University’s responses to information requests, human resources, corporate, transactional, real estate, and policy matters. Paralegals provide general administrative support (e.g., copying, scanning, filing) to the OGC attorneys and each other whenever the need arises.
Paralegals work under attorney supervision to review, edit, and draft legal documents, legal memoranda, and varied communications; perform legal and factual research and provide written analysis; review, prepare, and maintain documents, exhibits, and presentations; analyze, preserve, and maintain evidence; monitor and update internal tracking processes; and communicate and interact with clients, outside counsel, and third parties, including other governmental units.
Paralegals assist with the University’s responses to internal and external information requests, such as Public Information Act (PIA) requests; subpoenas or court/legal/administrative orders; Employee Grievance Hearings; Public Safety Denial of Access Appeals; and similar matters handled by OGC. As the need arises, Paralegals may be assigned primary responsibility for such matters.
Paralegals work collaboratively and cross-train extensively with OGC’s Executive Assistant(s) and Legal Coordinator(s) to provide administrative support for OGC and its attorneys as needed, which may include scheduling, coordinating, and tracking matters; supporting office operations and information management; and maintaining filing systems.
Paralegals work under attorney supervision to review, edit, and draft legal documents, legal memoranda, and varied communications; perform legal and factual research and provide written analysis; review, prepare, and maintain documents, exhibits, and presentations; analyze, preserve, and maintain evidence; monitor and update internal tracking processes; and communicate and interact with clients, outside counsel, and third parties, including other governmental units.
Paralegals assist with the University’s responses to internal and external information requests, such as Public Information Act (PIA) requests; subpoenas or court/legal/administrative orders; Employee Grievance Hearings; Public Safety Denial of Access Appeals; and similar matters handled by OGC. As the need arises, Paralegals may be assigned primary responsibility for such matters.
Paralegals work collaboratively and cross-train extensively with OGC’s Executive Assistant(s) and Legal Coordinator(s) to provide administrative support for OGC and its attorneys as needed, which may include scheduling, coordinating, and tracking matters; supporting office operations and information management; and maintaining filing systems.
OGC is looking for a self-motivated person who has the ability and desire to be a team player and understands that no task is too small or mundane if it is in support of the office. The ideal candidate is: a strong writer who has attention to detail when it comes to grammar, spelling, and punctuation; provides solid legal analyses; able to assist with many assignments at the same time, prioritize them, and meet deadlines; one with excellent verbal communications skills; proficient in using the Microsoft Office Suite of applications, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel; proficient in using Google Workplace, including Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Drive; and proficient in using virtual platforms, including Zoom and Box.
Benefits Summary
Top Benefits and Perks:Minimum Qualifications:
Education:
- BA or BS degree from an accredited college or university.
Experience:
- Four (4) or more years’ experience providing support to practicing attorneys.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Demonstrated ability to perform legal research involving federal and state statutes, regulations, other administrative guidance, and case law.
- Strong proficiency using Microsoft Office suite of applications, specifically Word, PowerPoint, and Excel; and Google Workplace, including Gmail and Google Calendar. Ability to become proficient with new software applications as needed.
- Excellent organizational, planning, problem solving, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to be a team player, understanding that no task is too small if it is in support of the office.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing; use discretion and good judgment; and work under multiple deadlines and with any matter assigned.
- Interact courteously and professionally with all constituencies and maintain strict confidentiality regarding all OGC matters.
- Ability to follow directions, take initiative, and work independently in a deadline-driven environment.
- State of Maryland notary or ability to become a notary upon employment.
Preferences:
Preferences:
- BA or BS in Legal Studies, Business, Criminal Justice, English, or other relevant fields.
- Previous experience working in the higher education industry or public sector.
- Paralegal degree or certification.
- Working knowledge of Maryland law and laws applicable to a research-intensive university.
- Previous experience as a litigation or transactional paralegal or legal assistant, including business, procurement, or real estate transactions.
- Demonstrated ability to perform legal research involving federal, state, and administrative statutes, regulations and case law.
- Ability to create and update websites.
- Proficiency with one or more legal document/case management applications.
Additional Information:
Required from all applicants:
Applicants must include a cover letter that, among other things, briefly describes their role in assisting attorneys in two or more of the areas described under the Position Summary section.
Benefit Information:
The University of Maryland offers a generous benefits package with plenty of options. Two major benefits offered by the University is the are accrued leave and tuition remission. An exempt staff employee receives the following leave every year:
Applicants must include a cover letter that, among other things, briefly describes their role in assisting attorneys in two or more of the areas described under the Position Summary section.
Benefit Information:
The University of Maryland offers a generous benefits package with plenty of options. Two major benefits offered by the University is the are accrued leave and tuition remission. An exempt staff employee receives the following leave every year:
- 22 days of annual leave
- 15 days of sick leave
- 3 days of personal leave
- 15 state holidays (16 in a general election year)
An exempt staff employee, as well as their spouses and dependents, receive tuition remission as set forth in the University’s policy. For more information about this unique benefit and the additional benefits offered by the University, please click on the “Exempt Benefit Summary” link under the Benefits Summary section above.
Salary range is $73,356 – $91,695.
Salary range is $73,356 – $91,695.
Job Risks
Not Applicable to This PositionPhysical Demands
Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards. Must have the ability to lift and carry small parcels, packages and other items, to walk short distances, and drive a vehicle to deliver and pick up materials/supplies.
Posting Date:
04/01/2024Open Until Filled
YesBest Consideration Date
07/26/2024Diversity Statement:
The University of Maryland, College Park, an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, creed, marital status, political affiliation, personal appearance, or on the basis of rights secured by the First Amendment, in all aspects of employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.
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