Paralegal

Work. Serve. Thrive. With the City of Durham.

Advance in your career while making a real difference in the community you serve.

Hiring Range: $65,000 - $85,000
Hours: 8:00a.m. - 5:00p.m. 

Be part of the dynamic and diverse legal team providing legal services and representation to the Durham City Council, City Manager, and City government departments.

The City Attorney’s Office is seeking a detail-oriented transactional paralegal to join the City Attorney’s Office. This position will primarily support attorneys in the preparation, review, and management of legal documents related to municipal contracts, real estate transactions, technology, procurement, and other governmental operations. 

As a key member of our team, this position requires high level decision-making skills and a proactive work ethic in supporting the attorneys in the Office. In this role, you serve the mission of the City Attorney's Office and the overall mission of the City of Durham. The ideal candidate will have a strong commitment to public service. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Draft, review, and revise contracts, agreements, and other legal documents.
• Conduct legal research and summarize findings for attorney review.
• Prepare legal and general reports and documentation; maintain confidential and other records; update and maintain case and contract management databases; compile, research, and review information.
• Process initial requests from city departments for preparation and drafting of transactional documents, including standard contracts, construction and technology agreements, real estate instruments and related legal forms.
• Provide administrative support and perform general office duties; track deadlines and ensure timely execution of legal documents; communicate relevant information to applicable internal and external stakeholders; process invoices; and research and retrieve information.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature and level as assigned.

• Principles and practices of paralegal support.
• Standard practices, methods and materials of assigned work.
• Business math concepts.
• Filing and record-keeping principles.
• Occupational hazards and applicable safety principles and practices.
• Uses and properties of supplies and equipment.
• Applicable federal, state and local laws, codes, regulations (based on assignment).
• Customer service principles.
• Specialized equipment relevant to area of assignment.
• Modern office technology.

• Associate’s Degree in paralegal studies OR an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above, unless otherwise subject to any other requirements set forth in law or regulation..
• Three (3) years of paralegal experience.
  

• Paralegal Certification.
• Knowledge and experience in real estate transactions.
• Knowledge of construction and design contracts and construction law. 
• Experience with legal research.
• Experience with MS Office applications such as Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.