PARALEGAL Position Purpose/Summary Responsible for supporting litigationattorneys in their handling of cases in suit. Assists in the draftingand preparation of contracts, opinions, and other legal documents forthe Department of Law. Work is performed under the supervision of theCity Solicitor, Deputy City Solicitor, and Chief of Litigation. Nosupervision is exercised over other employees. Essential FunctionsDrafts various discovery documents and prepares responses from the Cityto the plaintiff. Analyzes returned documents and maintains litigationcase files. Prepares various draft motions, notices, releases,authorizations, answers and other documents that need to be filed incourt. Coordinates depositions, pre-deposition, pre-trial consolationsand fact finding meetings for City Attorneys. Maintains schedules forattorneys and coordinates appearances in City cases. Manages documentcreation and filing for Attorneys. Coordinates and/or process subpoenasfor records and attendance of employees at court proceedings. Providesnotary service for various City departments. Supports all Attorneys asneeded on non-litigation matters. Assists in the drafting andpreparation of contracts, opinions, and other legal documents for theLaw Department as assigned. Supports all Attorneys as needed onnon-litigation matters. Tracks, responds to and maintains a log ofpublic records requests. Makes preliminary determination as to the mostlikely municipal records custodian, communicating with recordscustodians, arranging for the production of such records to the LawDepartment, makes preliminary review of such records as to appropriateexemptions to the public records law which may be applicable.Coordinates the production of the response to any such request bydrafting correspondence, redacting, copying, scanning and producing theresponse in coordination with Law Department staff and municipaldepartments in a timely fashion, in compliance with legal mandates.Tracks and maintains a log of contracts being drafted and completed.Assists legal staff in performing legal research and organizing files.Performs other related duties as required. Knowledge, Skills, andAbilities Working knowledge of the Massachusetts legal process and Cityof Springfield General Ordinances. Working knowledge of federal andMassachusetts general laws, rules of civil procedure, rules of court andrules of appellate procedure. Working knowledge of the principles,methods, materials, and practices of legal research and investigation.Ability to analyze and assist in the preparation of legal documents andinstruments. Ability to establish and maintain effective workingrelationships with associates, municipal officials, and the generalpublic. Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, orally and inwriting. Education and Experience High School Diploma or equivalentrequired; Paralegal certificate preferred. Minimum of five (5) years ofprior paralegal, legal secretary, administrative or clerical work.