Paralegal Specialist

The Department of Banking, located at 260 Constitution Plaza, Hartford, CT, is recruiting for a Paralegal Specialist position. This is a full-time (40 hours per week M-F) position. As a fundamental part of its mission, the department is committed to protecting Connecticut users of financial services from unlawful or improper practices by ensuring that regulated entities and individuals adhere to state consumer credit and securities laws.

The job duties include: assist division attorneys in preparing and reviewing legal documents for highly complex fraud cases, settlements, regulatory approvals, advisory opinions, and proposed legislation; prepare for and assist attorneys at administrative hearings or through case presentation; manage legal case timetables; maintain and update legal files and case records; prepare legal and administrative reports; oversee reproduction of legal records and exhibits for administrative hearings and on appeal; monitor respondents’ compliance with legal settlement terms and conditions and prepare reports on such compliance for management’s review and action; perform cite checks (i.e. “blue booking”); provide assistance in responding to Freedom of Information Act requests; research, interpret and apply relevant statutes, regulations, precedents and policies; monitor state legislative developments having an impact on the Securities and Business Investments Division and Consumer Credit Division and keep personnel apprised; follow relevant federal legislation and regulatory proposals; and perform legal research and analysis of law sources for staff attorneys.

All applicants must include a resume within the "Resume Tab" of their application.

All applicants are required to upload a cover letter with their submission. (Note: In order to upload documents you must ensure that your internet browser's 'pop-up' blocker is off. Failure to do so may prevent you from being able to upload documentation and submit your application.)

Any questions pertaining to this job posting should be directed to Lorraine Vittner at Lorraine.vittner@ct.gov, (860) 713-5449.

In a state agency, this class is accountable for providing advanced paralegal support in a highly complex legal unit. This class provides advanced technical leadership, research and consultation in the areas of preparing draft legal documents and draft decisions of highly complex cases; as a resource regarding issues, procedures, process and timeframe as related to cases and presenting legal matters as needed.

Performs highly complex paralegal duties as defined in one or both of the following areas:

LEGAL OFFICE OPERATIONS: Interprets complex state statutes and federal regulations governing legal records and documents; determines and applies applicable state statute and/or regulation in preparing documentation; interprets court rules and agency policies and regulations; keeps abreast of the latest court rules, calendar changes and pending legislation; monitors and adheres to court deadlines; reviews legal documents and prepares legal documents such as briefs, writs and pleadings for court filings; responds to relevant case information requests from courts; performs legal research and analysis of law sources such as statutes, legal articles, legal decisions, opinions, rulings, memoranda and other legal material; prepares draft legal documents; provides assistance in the discovery process; provides paralegal assistance by interpreting applicable legal provisions, regulations, precedents and policies; responds to requests and obtains information of sensitive nature; acts as liaison between agency, court system, relevant attorney’s offices and general public; serves as agency liaison regarding relevant policies and procedures; prepares legal and administrative reports; updates and maintains case records, pleadings, policy manuals and filing systems; assists in the drafting of proposed legislation and advisory opinions; provides training and assistance to staff; may perform business mathematical computations; performs related duties as required.

CASE PRESENTATION OR HEARING: Analyzes highly complex cases; develops positions and strategies to settle or litigate cases at formal or informal hearings; prepares for and represents State’s interest at hearings or through case presentation; researches and gathers relevant evidence and documentation; interviews witnesses and clients; drafts legal documents, complaints, stipulations, detailed memoranda, letters and proposed findings and awards reviews substantiation appeals and provides recommendation to management regarding the legal sufficiency of substantiation findings; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of legal processes and procedures; considerable knowledge of legal terminology and legal forms; considerable knowledge of legal research techniques; knowledge of relevant agency policies and procedures; knowledge of and the ability to interpret and apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes, regulations and legislation; considerable skill in fact finding techniques including interviewing clients and compiling evidence; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable ability to evaluate pertinent facts, cases and evidence and compile and assemble such legal data; considerable ability to compose correspondence and draft legal documents; ability to understand complex laws and related reports; ability to utilize computer software.

The General Experience is defined as one of the following:

1. A Bachelor’s degree in legal studies and one (1) year of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney.

2. An Associate’s degree in legal studies and three (3) years of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney.

3. Completion of a Paralegal or Legal Assistance Certificate Program approved by the American Bar Association and three (3) years of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney.

4. Completion of a Paralegal or Legal Assistance Certificate Program consisting of a minimum of twenty-four (24) semester hours from an accredited college or university and four (4) years of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney.

5. Completion of a Paralegal or Legal Assistance Certificate Program from a business school approved by the State of Connecticut, Office of Higher Education and four (4) years of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney.

6. A Law degree from an accredited Law School.

Knowledge of the financial services and/or consumer credit industries.

The ability to interpret and apply relevant state laws, federal laws, statutes, regulations and legislation.

Experience performing legal research and analysis of law sources such as statutes, legal articles, legal decisions, opinions, rulings, memoranda and other legal material.

Experience with e-discovery, including: using e-discovery software; creating and managing matters in a database; importing and exporting documents of various file types; managing document preservation, collection and production for investigations, administrative hearings and Freedom of Information requests; analyzing electronically-stored information and data; and assisting staff in the use of e-discovery systems and tools.

Experience with written and verbal communication skills and the ability to articulate.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.