Paralegal

Position Summary

This role involves assisting litigation attorneys with case management and supporting the Department of Law by drafting and preparing contracts, legal opinions, and related documents. Work is conducted under supervision from senior legal staff including the City Solicitor, Deputy City Solicitor, and Chief of Litigation, without managing other employees.

Key Responsibilities

• Draft discovery documents and prepare responses on behalf of the City in litigation cases.
• Analyze returned discovery materials and maintain thorough case files for ongoing litigation.
• Create draft motions, notices, releases, authorizations, answers, and various court filings.
• Arrange depositions, pre-deposition meetings, pre-trial consultations, and fact-finding sessions for City Attorneys.
• Manage attorneys’ schedules and coordinate court appearances for City cases.
• Handle document creation and filing processes for attorneys.
• Coordinate subpoena processing for records and employee court attendance.
• Provide notary services to multiple City departments.
• Support attorneys with non-litigation matters as needed, including drafting contracts, opinions, and other legal documentation.
• Track, respond to, and log public records requests, determining appropriate custodians and coordinating record production.
• Ensure compliance with public records laws by managing correspondence, redactions, scanning, and timely production of requested materials.
• Maintain a log of contract drafting and completion activities.
• Assist legal staff with research and file organization tasks.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support departmental functions.

Knowledge and Skills

• Familiarity with Massachusetts legal procedures and Springfield’s General Ordinances.
• Understanding of federal and state laws, including civil procedure and appellate rules.
• Knowledge in legal research methods and investigative practices.
• Ability to analyze legal documents and assist with their preparation.
• Strong interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with colleagues, officials, and the public.
• Clear and concise verbal and written communication skills.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent mandatory; paralegal certification is preferred.
• At least five years of experience working in paralegal, legal secretary, administrative, or clerical roles within a legal setting.