Office of Chief Trial Counsel

Annual Salary Range: $71,182 - $94,839

FLSA Non-Exempt / Union Represented

About the Office

The Office of Chief Trial Counsel (OCTC) is the enforcement arm of the attorney discipline system. The office handles intake, investigation, and prosecution in State Bar Court of allegations that attorneys have violated the State Bar Act or the Rules of Professional Conduct. The office also receives, reviews, and investigates complaints alleging unauthorized practice of law by non-attorneys.

The Ideal Candidate

The Office of Chief Trial Counsel seeks a Paralegal to conduct legal research; prepare exhibits for trial; subpoena witnesses and coordinate trial testimony; attend trial to assist with exhibits, witnesses, and notetaking; and draft legal documents, including discovery requests and responses, motions, correspondence, and memoranda. Must communicate clearly and effectively, be a team player, have strong organizational skills, and have ability to prioritize work.

Definition

Under general supervision, a Paralegal assists with case planning, development, and management, legal research, client interviews, fact and information gathering, drafting and analyzing legal documents and collecting, compiling and utilizing technical information.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is an experienced, journey-level classification providing paralegal assistance to other staff. Positions will generally report to a Supervising Attorney or Paralegal Supervisor. The work performed requires knowledge of legal concepts, principles, terminology and procedures and the extensive use of legal reference material.

Examples of Essential Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Drafts legal documents including formal discovery requests, notices, interrogatories, motions, summaries of depositions, memoranda, and correspondence.
• Assists with locating and contacting witnesses, prepares subpoenas, arranges for the interview and evaluation of witnesses, drafts witness declarations in proceedings and pretrial statements and assists with the preparation of witness testimony.
• Compiles and organizes trial notebooks, exhibits and files and other materials and documents.
• Coordinates the scheduling of witnesses, answers witness questions, communicates with witnesses regarding the status of their case/trial, coordinates witness travel and expenses, and assists with witness issues, exhibits and note taking.
• Drafts formal discovery requests and responses, including special interrogatories, requests for admissions, production demands, deposition notices and motions to compel for the attorney.
• Analyzes records and disciplinary files and make recommendations to the attorney as to the disposition of files.
• Performs legal research including statutory and case law and drafts forms, research memoranda, proposed rules, orders and other documents.
• Prepares summaries of depositions and court transcripts and witness testimony.
• Monitors and tracks criminal and civil cases in California and other jurisdiction; and investigate, gather and review documentation and information.
• Answers inquiries from the public by providing information and guidelines.
• Performs a number of other similar or related duties, which may not be specifically included within this job description, but which are consistent with the general level of the job and the responsibilities described.

Employment Standards

Knowledge of:

• Basic principles, concepts and methodology of legal proceedings and legal research.
• Principles of legal writing and legal terminology.
• State Bar Law, Rules of Conduct and procedures as they apply to the performance of major duties and responsibilities of the position (to be obtained during the introductory period).
• Problem identification, analysis and evaluation.
• Principles of effective writing and verbal presentation.
• Business math for completing non-technical calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
• Modern office practices and procedures, including the use of standard computer software such as Microsoft Office and case management system applications.
• Computerized legal research system(s).

Ability to:

• Prepare legal documents including discovery requests, motions and summary dispositions.
• Extract and organize information from a variety of sources.
• Organize work, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Maintain confidentiality of State Bar documents and records.
• Carry out duties in accordance with policies, procedures and scope of responsibility.
• Gather, analyze and interpret data and information.
• Review and analyze complex written documents and problems.
• Establish and maintain effective and productive work relationships.
• Communicate clearly and effectively in person, telephone and in writing.
• Write effectively, in a clear, concise and well organized manner, using proper grammar, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Travel by air and automobile as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in a field that develops the skills required for the functions and responsibilities of the position.

Experience:

• Two (2) years’ experience as a paralegal.

Applicants who meet the Minimum Qualifications will be required to successfully complete the State Bar’s selection process for this classification.

License, Certificate, Registration Requirements

• Certification of completion of an approved paralegal program.
• Mandatory continuing legal education: completion of four hours of legal ethics classes and four hours of general law classes every two years.

Condition of Employment:

Employment with the State Bar of California requires full vaccination and proof of full vaccination for COVID-19 before starting work. Exemptions to the mandatory vaccination policy may be available for a medical condition, disability, or sincerely held religious belief and must be approved before starting work.