The New York State Office of Mental Health is seeking a Legal Assistant to support their legal team. This role involves managing legal files, assisting attorneys in case prosecution, and providing support in litigation and administrative hearings.

Responsibilities

• Must possess excellent communication skills and be able to communicate with the public by telephone and in person
• Manage pleadings and correspondence, and be able to handle both paper and electronic legal files and perform necessary data entry associated with legal duties
• Must be able to use/learn appropriate software for case tracking and legal research
• Possess strong writing skills for drafting of research memorandum, briefings, and correspondence
• Provide support in litigation and administrative hearings, including managing of exhibits, scheduling witnesses, assisting with preparation for conducting interviews and depositions
• Assist attorneys with collection of information relevant to case prosecution
• Assist attorneys in interviewing program staff for fact gathering, and summarize into a briefing to assigned counsel
• Must be able to travel independently to court and the various county clerk offices to retrieve and file documents

Skills

• Must have a valid driver's license or demonstrate the ability to meet the transportation needs of the position
• Travel may be required
• Overtime may be required
• Must be able to move files / banker boxes up to 20 pounds
• Two years of full-time experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant
• An associate degree (or higher) in a paralegal/legal assistant/legal studies program or a certificate in a paralegal/legal assistant program, where either the degree or certificate was granted from a regionally accredited college or university, or one approved by the American Bar Association (ABA)
• An associate degree (or higher) in any field, where the degree was granted from a regionally accredited college or university, or one approved by the American Bar Association (ABA)
• Graduation from an accredited (ABA approved) law school with a degree required for NYS Bar will be accepted as meeting the educational requirements for this title AND one year of experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant
• Must possess excellent communication skills and be able to communicate with the public by telephone and in person
• Manage pleadings and correspondence, and be able to handle both paper and electronic legal files and perform necessary data entry associated with legal duties
• Must be able to use/learn appropriate software for case tracking and legal research
• Possess strong writing skills for drafting of research memorandum, briefings, and correspondence
• Provide support in litigation and administrative hearings, including managing of exhibits, scheduling witnesses, assisting with preparation for conducting interviews and depositions
• Assist attorneys with collection of information relevant to case prosecution
• Assist attorneys in interviewing program staff for fact gathering, and summarize into a briefing to assigned counsel
• Must be able to travel independently to court and the various county clerk offices to retrieve and file documents

Benefits

• Holiday & Paid Time Off
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Pension from New York State Employees’ Retirement System
• Shift & Geographic pay differentials
• Affordable Health Care options
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost
• NYS Deferred Compensation plan
• Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs, and U.S. Savings Bonds
• Telecommuting may be available, will be discussed at interview

Company Overview