Paralegal

Minimum Education Required

Associates Degree

Compensation

$ / hourly

Hours Per Week

40

Number Of Positions

1

Job Description

STILLWATER COUNTY

Job Description

CLASS TITLE Paralegal

DEPARTMENT: County Attorney

ACCOUNTABLE TO: County Attorney

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

REVISION DATE: August 18, 2025

JOB SUMMARY:

Provide legal assistance and litigation support for Stillwater County Attorneys by preparing and maintaining legal documents and correspondence, filing motions, interviewing clients, coordinating law office activity, and conducting legal research as it pertains to cases. Use independent judgment, manage criminal and civil cases and case files, attend trials and hearings, and provide active support under supervision of an attorney.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide case management functions for prosecution and litigation, prepare, track, and follow up on sensitive and complex legal documents, and maintain and update legal information and records;
• Provide litigation support for attorneys during trials, and hearings, attend trials and provide assistance and information as needed, and keep attorney apprised of deadlines and compliance issues.
• Evaluate case files and research missing and incomplete information and documents and manage collection and analysis of evidence;
• Engage opposing counsel, court personnel, and other government officials to assist in preparing all necessary documents for attorney's court appearances.
• Create and manage criminal and civil case files, research files and computer databases, update files, computer records, and tracking systems, check local and state databases, and collect and distribute related information.
• Review case status with attorneys, compose and create memoranda and legal documents, prepare and edit confidential and sensitive legal documents, and maintain confidentiality.
• Prepare and process criminal reports and civil complaints, file legal papers with courts, and process court papers according to court procedures and attorney instructions.
• Schedule interviews, trials, hearings, meetings, and attorney's calendar and notify witnesses as needed.
• Receive and send information to and from other agencies and jurisdictions.
• Provide information and assistance within the scope of designated authority.
• Maintain absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, customer records and restricted County information.

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Associate's degree in Paralegal Studies or completion of a Paralegal Educational program approved by the American Bar Association or a Bachelor’s degree in a related field
• Five (5) years of paralegal support experience
• Must pass a thorough background investigation
• Valid Montana State Driver’s License

EXAMPLES OF PERFORMANCE CRITERIA AND EXPECATIONS:

This list is ILLUSTRATIVE only and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by the incumbent of this class. Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Contributing to trial preparation in litigation practices;
• Providing behind the scenes support in the courtroom at hearings and trials, or in arbitration, mediation, and administrative proceedings;
• Drafting legal documents and pleadings, including deposition notices, subpoenas, motions, certifications, contracts, briefs, complaints, and information;
• Investigating the facts of a case by interviewing witnesses and performing legal research into case law and precedents;
• Handling discovery-the exchange of certain information between opposing parties in civil and criminal proceedings;
• Organizing and managing files, documents, and exhibits;
• Prepare legal documents, correspondence, and pleadings such as complaints, information, interrogatories, subpoenas, deposition notices, pretrial orders, legal briefs, and affidavits, under the supervision of a lawyer;
• Assist lawyers prepare for trial by preparing and organizing exhibits, assisting with client meetings, filing motions, conducting research on legal articles, and organizing and coordinating witnesses;
• Coordinate with process servers;
• Perform administrative duties such as answering phone calls and keeping the case filing system, both paper and electronic organized so all documents are readily accessible.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The work is sedentary and requires exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. The work also requires the ability to finger, reach, perform repetitive motion, lift, kneel, pull, push, hear, speak, stand, stoop, and demonstrate mental and visual acuity.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in a dynamic environment that requires the ability to adjust to change and be responsive to changing goals, priorities, and needs.

Is this a registered apprenticeship?

False

Place of Work

On-site

Requisition ID

202605

Job Type

Full Time

Application Instructions

Application can be found online at www.stillwatercountymt.gov

Or pick up an application at 400 E 3rd Ave N.-4th floor in Columbus