E-DISCOVERY SENIOR PARALEGAL

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E-DISCOVERY SENIOR PARALEGAL

Salary

$47,866.00 - $92,716.00 Annually

Location

900 Bagby-City Hall Annex

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

34715

Department

Legal

Opening Date

08/08/2024

Closing Date

Continuous

• Description

• Benefits

• Questions

POSITION OVERVIEW

Applications accepted from: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED

Job Classification: SENIOR PARALEGAL

Department: LEGAL

Section: GENERAL LITIGATION

Reporting Location: 900 Bagby, 4th Floor

Workdays & Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm* *Subject to Change

LEGAL DEPARTMENT

The Office of the City Attorney for the City of Houston (the “OCA”) provides municipal legal services to the City, its elected and appointed officials, and its employees while adhering to the following guiding principles:

• Quality & Service – Achieving high customer satisfaction as judged by our clients.

• Partnership & Teamwork – Working cooperatively internally and with our clients to achieve the City’s goals.

• Integrity & Candor – Placing honesty and ethical behavior first.

• Dignity & Diversity – Promoting each person’s value.

• Innovation & Imagination – Seeking novel and creative approaches to achieving the City’s objectives.

Composed of approximately 100 of Houston’s finest attorneys working in 10 legal practice sections, the OCA handles personal injury, commercial and civil rights litigation, major commercial and real estate transactions, and a diverse array of human resources, labor and employment matters, while also counseling the municipal corporation on economic development, constitutional, election matters, ethics and quality of life matters, and preparing City ordinances governing Houston and its citizens.

Every member of the OCA must be committed to “Service Through Law.”

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

The City of Houston seeks a paralegal with at least 5 years of experience generally and at least 2 years of experience in the area of e-discovery litigation support. Experience and knowledge of litigation and e-discovery are required; experience and knowledge of commercial litigation is preferred but not required. The successful applicant is a team-oriented self-starter who will focus on e-discovery in civil commercial matters and other complex litigation. In addition to electronic document review, the successful applicant will assist in preparing state and federal court pleadings, motions and discovery requests and responses relating to e-discovery as well as other litigation subject matters.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Extensive electronic document review and analysis in large document volume, complex litigation cases.

• Coordinating with clients, information technology professionals and attorneys to identify, assemble, organize, evaluate and produce large document collections.

• Assist attorneys and clients with best practices and procedures related to ESI identification, preservation, collection, processing, analysis, early case assessment, search, review and production in litigation and investigation matters.

• Stay current on developing e-discovery law and procedures, including the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and applicable state rules regarding discovery and apply those rules appropriately in matters.

• Assist in designing defensible and cost-effective ESI discovery plans and protocols for all stages of a litigation or investigative matter.

• Prepare initial drafts of discovery requests and objections to requests for production of ESI, including form of production specifications, to be reviewed and finalized by attorneys.

• Prepare initial drafts of ESI protocols and protective orders to protect privileged and confidential information in the discovery process, including Federal Rule of Evidence 502 and clawback orders, for review and finalizing by attorneys.

• Creating physical files and maintaining case files for the duration of claims and litigation.

• Assist attorneys with performing pretrial preparation such as trial notebooks, arranging exhibit preparation, subpoenas, scheduling court reporters and videographers, and coordinating travel arrangements.

• Assist attorneys with preparing initial drafts of documents such as pleadings, discovery, contracts, settlement agreements, correspondence, ordinances, resolutions, and requests for council action.

• Electronic filing of pleadings and court documents.

• Establishing a working relationship with various city departments.

• Summarizing records and reports such as depositions, medical records, internal documents, and incoming discovery.

• Assisting attorneys with depositions and with court hearings, coordinating witnesses, and performing general duties as assigned.

• Maintaining attorney calendars and schedules; working with court staff to obtain hearing dates and trial schedules.

• Performing legal research; coordinating and scheduling court appearances, trials, depositions, and hearings.

• Drafting, reviewing or revising city policies.

• Special projects as assigned by attorneys and management.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position is physically comfortable; the individual has discretion about walking, standing, etc. There are no major sources of discomfort in a normal office environment.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

Requires a high school diploma or a GED certificate and a certificate in paralegal or legal assistant studies. An Associate degree may be substituted for the above certification requirement. Above average academic performance is preferred. Requires basic computer skills and working knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite.

EXPERIENCE:

Five years of experience as a paralegal at a comparable professional organization are required. An additional two years of Paralegal experience may be substituted for the certificate in paralegal or legal assistant studies.

PREFERENCES

Preference will be given to applicants with:

• At least five (5) years of experience in state and/or federal court civil litigation support.

• At least two (2) years of experience working in an e-discovery litigation support capacity.

• Experience with electronic document review databases and software such as Veritas, Relativity, and CS Disco.

• Must be proficient with standard computer equipment, laptops and printers.

• Knowledge of litigation court procedures in Harris County, in both State and Federal courts.

• Skill in oral and written communication.

• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.

• Proficiency with Office 365 suite, including Word, Outlook, Excel, SharePoint, OneDrive, and TEAMS, and the use of technology in legal practice.

• Skill in planning and organizing.

• Ability to draft legal documents.

• Ability to electronically file pleadings and court documents.

• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other city employees and the public.

• Ability to exercise discretion in confidential matters.

• Ability to meet deadlines and effectively complete operational and project-based assignments.

Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.

GENERAL INFORMATION

SELECTION/SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED: None

However, the Department may administer a skill assessment evaluation.

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION: NO

If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test.

SALARY INFORMATION:

Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate’s qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.

Pay Grade: 19

Salary Range: $47.886 - $ 92,716 Annually

APPLICATION PROCEDURES:

Only online applications will be accepted for this City of Houston job and must be received by the Human Resources Department during posting opening and closing dates shown. Applications must be submitted online at: www.houstontx.gov.

To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/default.cfm or call (832)393-6214.

Due to the high volume of applications received, the Hiring Department will contact you directly, should you be selected to advance in our recruitment process.

All new and rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information.

If you need special services or accommodations, call (832)393-6214.

If you need login assistance or technical support call (855) 524-5627.

EOE - Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

The city offers a competitive benefits program, including competitively priced health coverage and a defined contribution pension plan.

Benefits include:

• Medical

• Dental

• Vision

• Wellness

• Life insurance

• Long-term disability

• Retirement pension

• 457 deferred compensation plan

• Employee Assistance Program

• 10 days of vacation each year

• 11 city holidays, plus one floating holiday

• Flexible schedules

• Professional development opportunities

• Transportation/parking plan

• Section 125 pretax deductions

• Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan

• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account

For plan details, visit http://www.houstontx.gov/hr/benefits.html

01

Are you a veteran who served on active duty in the Armed Forces (United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard) for more than 90 consecutive days and received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions?

• Yes

• No

  02

  What is your highest level of education?

• High School Diploma or GED

• Associate Degree

• Bachelor's Degree

• Master's Degree or Above

• None of the above

  03

  What field of study is your degree in?

• Business Administration, Public Administration, Paralegal Studies or a field closely related to the duties of the position

• Non-related field of study

• I do not have a degree

  04

  What best describes your years of paralegal experience?

• I have no paralegal experience.

• I have less than 5 years of paralegal experience.

• I have 5 but less than 7 years of paralegal experience.

• I have 7 but less than 10 years of paralegal experience.

• I have 10 but less than 15 years of paralegal experience.

• I have 15 years or more of paralegal experience.

  05

  Please describe your related experience. ("See resume" is not acceptable. If this does not apply, please type "n/a")

  06

  Are you a Certified Paralegal or a Certified Legal Assistant?

• Yes

• No

  07

  What best describes your years of experience with electronic document review databases and software such as Veritas, Relativity, and CS Disco?

• I have no experience.

• I have less than one year of experience.

• I have one year but less than five years of experience.

• I have more than five years of experience.

  08

  What best describes your years of experience with preparing discovery requests and objections to requests for production of ESI?

• I have no experience.

• I have less than one year of experience.

• I have one year but less than five years of experience.

• I have more than five years of experience.

  09

  What best describes your years of experience with preparing ESI protocols and protective orders to protect privileged and confidential information in the discovery process?

• I have no experience.

• I have less than one year of experience.

• I have one year but less than five years of experience.

• I have more than five years of experience.

  Required Question