Job summary
The Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino, is actively seeking qualified candidates to join our team as a Paralegal.Salary Update: 3% COLA increase effective October 2024; approximate hourly rate range from $34.02 - $43.42Under broad supervision, assists attorneys in providing legal services to self-represented litigants; assists attorneys in a range of research, documentation and analysis in the Legal Research unit and/or Self Help Resource Center; performs paraprofessional duties for a diverse legal caseload; and performs related duties as assigned.
Job seniority: entry level
Responsibilities
• Completes routine legal research on various issues as directed by an attorney or supervisor, or as needed by court customers.• Collects information and reviews legal documents and forms for completeness and procedural compliance with code requirements; conducts legal research; reviews/assesses factual matters and claims related to cases.• Provides information and educational materials to the public regarding court rules, regulations and procedures; reviews documents with self-represented parties and explains their legal options; provides assistance in completing and filing legal forms; explains fees and fines; screens cases and refers to outside agencies where appropriate.• Maintains statistics and prepares periodic reports.• Performs community outreach activities to inform the public of the self-help services offered by the court.• Performs other duties as assigned.
Requirements
• Certificate of completion of a paralegal training program approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) or equivalencies as described in Business and Professions Code section 6450(c)(2)-(c)(4), and two (2) years of increasingly responsible legal, court and/or judicial support assistance that includes legal research and drafting legal documents; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.• Must possess and maintain a Paralegal Certification and perform mandatory continuing legal education.• Knowledge of: Principles and practices of civil, criminal and administrative law applicable to practice as a paralegal; Rules, statutes, and case authority applicable to areas of law served by the unit to which the paralegal is assigned, including but not limited to paternity, family law, guardianship, unlawful detainers, and small claims; California court procedures, rules of evidence and burden-of-proof issues; Principles, practices and techniques of legal research and writing; Methods and techniques of effective interviewing; Methods and techniques of legal research and investigation; Legal forms and the content required for filing cases, including, but not limited to, family law, small claims, landlord-tenant and guardianship; Standard business software and specialized legal software and programs; Correct English usage including spelling, grammar and punctuation; practices of legal communication; Effective customer service practices and techniques.
