Job Title
Paralegal, Law School
Company
Vanderbilt University
Job Description
Job Description:This Paralegal is part of the Legal Clinic in the Law School at Vanderbilt University and is a key individual contributor responsible for provision of legal administrative support to the Vanderbilt Legal Clinic faculty and students, including assisting students with legal formatting and filing procedures, legal research, scheduling meetings and hearings, and preparation of subpoenas and other legal documentation as requested. This position is also responsible for Trial Advocacy Program as primary administrative support for the program, and interpretation/translation for many clinic client meetings. This position reports directly to the Legal Clinic Manager.This unit operates 7-8 live client legal clinics, the International Practice Lab, 1 practicum, externships, and other clinical legal education opportunities that allow students to learn both the theory and practice of law in context. Clinic students gain real-world legal experience by assuming the role of the lawyer under the expert guidance of members of the law faculty, allowing them to hone their legal skills and delve into particular areas of law. They work with actual clients and on real cases, gaining an understanding of the legal system and its participants and an appreciation of issues of professional responsibility.Key Functions and Expected Performance:Perform legal research using Lexis or other databases and using the United States Patent Trademark Office (USPTO) website, Metro Caselink and Federal PACER databases. (5%)
- Assist with research projects or special projects, which are often of a lengthy, technical, and complex nature.
Provide general administrative support for department. (20%)
- Receive and distribute mail, answer phones, take accurate messages, direct inquiries, screen callers and refer to appropriate agencies. Be knowledgeable of client in-take guidelines and local agencies with which the Clinic networks.
- Handle confidential client records and files, including opening and closing files.
- Draft correspondence for faculty/student attorney signature.
- Maintain client database, student attorney time-keeping records, and general reports for faculty.
- Assist with class materials and preparation (ordering textbooks, preparing classpaks, create seating charts, maintain class materials on Brightspace etc.)
- Perform notary public services.
- Provide instructional support as needed for clinical professors in their teaching roles.
- Assist with creating and organizing yearly clinical newsletter including obtaining submissions, formatting, editing, mailing to and maintaining listservs
- Assist with requesting background checks from Tennessee Bureau of Investigations for clients
- Assist with acquiring copies of records from court clerks
Assist with preparation of legal documents such as motions, orders, pleadings, briefs, discovery, and contract leases. (25%)
- Assist 7-8 clinical faculty members, 1 fellow, and 40-50 students per semester in preparation of legal documents, court forms, correspondence, manuscripts and class materials.
- Prepare pleadings including, but not limited to Motions, Order, Notices, and other court proceedings. Format pleading per the court’s requirements, file with the court, mail to opposing counsel and maintain office copy.
- Review, edit, and format materials before distribution or publication.
- Prepare Table of Contents and Table of Authorities for briefs using Lexis and format briefs to match the courts’ requirements.
- Prepare and format interrogatories and requests for production, collect and organize production from the client. Finalize production for attorneys.
File documents with the courts as necessary. (5%)
- Process appropriate paperwork to complete the filing of documents; file documents with the courts when student attorneys are unavailable.
- File court documents electronically using the TN courts E-filing system.
- Provide guidance to students on formatting legal documents, filing procedures and requirements.
Assist in trial preparation. (5%)
- Schedule meetings and depositions as necessary.
- Schedule interpreters as needed for client preparations.
- Draft letters requesting subpoenas, medical records requests, etc.
- Organize documents for court hearings and depositions
Maintain clinical faculty calendars. (5%)
- Schedule and coordinate meetings, court appearances, filing deadlines, depositions, and witness interviews.
- Schedule faculty meetings and other academic meetings, including but not limited to, Clerkship Meetings, Externship Information Meetings, and Clinical Information
- Meetings using Outlook.
- Coordinate and schedule client meetings with attorneys
- Reserve rooms for meetings throughout the law school as needed using EMS
Primary administrative support to the Trial Advocacy Program. (15%)
- Perform secretarial and administrative duties for approximately 20 adjunct faculty members (who teach Trial Advocacy and Advanced Trial Advocacy) and 60-65 students per academic year
- Assist with class materials and preparation (ordering textbooks, creating class rosters, maintaining class materials on Brightspace, etc.)
- Recruit jurors from various colleges and law schools for mock trials every semester.
- Coordinate with adjunct faculty members to plan and schedule end of semester mock trials
- Arrange parking for guest speakers, mock trial jurors, and guest Judges
- Schedule room reservations for class and events.
Assist clinical faculty members with non-clinical courses (5%)
- Assist with class materials and preparation
- Order textbooks using the Follett Discovery Website
- Prepare classpaks and other materials using Printing Services,
- Create and updating seating charts using seating chart software.
- Create quizzes, assignments, calendars, and maintaining class materials on Brightspace.
Assist non-clinical faculty members with pro-bono immigration cases. (10%)
- Maintain client binders and digital files
- Communicate with the Memphis Immigration Court regarding docket and client hearings
- Utilize the USCIS website for case updates
- Assist with filing and mailing of legal forms
- Work with the Tennessee Language Center for interpreters for all client meetings and translation of documents
- Assist with phone calls to Spanish speaking clients as needed by serving as an interpreter.
Back-up administrative support to the externship program. (5%)
- Perform various other administrative support to program.
- Communicate externship program information to students through Outlook and Brightspace
Supervisory Relationships:This position does not have supervisory responsibility and reports administratively and functionally to the Legal Clinic Manager.Qualifications:
- A high school diploma or GED is necessary.
- A Bachelor’s degree is preferred.
- A minimum of 3 years’ experience in the legal field or relevant industry is necessary.
About Us: Vanderbilt is a community of talented and diverse staff & faculty!At , our work – regardless of title or role – is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in , Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice through:
- Working and growing together as a community of communities… we are One Vanderbilt.
- Providing a work environment where every staff and faculty member can be their authentic and best self, while providing the resources and opportunities to learn and grow.
- Encouraging development, collaboration, and partnership both internally and externally while fostering the value that every member of the Vanderbilt community can lead and grow regardless of title or position.
We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.Vanderbilt University has made the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff and our surrounding communities a top priority. As part of that commitment, the University may require employees to comply with any testing or health and safety measures which the University may require.Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.
Expected Salary
Location
Nashville, TN
Job Posting Date
Fri, 06 Sep 2024 01:02:08 GMT