Paralegal/Lay Advocate

Job Description

**This Job is located in Flandreau, SD**

Summary : This position will assist and provide a range of legal support and administration to the Tribal Attorney. This position is responsible for drafting legal documents and researching various legal topics while providing clerical and secretarial support to the legal department.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following, keeping in mind that other duties may be assigned:

• perform legal and factual research.
• perform records research.
• identify relevant judicial decisions, statutes, legal articles, codes, and other pertinent material.
• organize, proof, and analyze information.
• prepare written reports.
• draft legal documents including briefs, pleadings, appeals, agreements, contracts, and legal memoranda.
• help prepare legal arguments, applications, declarations, and motions.
• prepare correspondence.
• edit legal forms and documents for accuracy.
• build and maintain databases and files.
• organize and track case files.
• review and monitor new and updated laws and regulations.
• maintain law library.
• coordinate law office activities such as subpoena delivery.
• locate and interview witnesses.
• help with trial preparation including witness lists, exhibits, and trial binders.
• assist the attorney in the courtroom.
• assist attorneys to prepare integral corporate documents/materials.
• work with attorneys to prepare all documents required to form corporations (both business and not-for-profit corporations), partnerships, and limited liability companies in any jurisdiction.
• assist attorneys in the preparation of documentation for amendments, withdrawals, mergers and dissolutions of corporations, partnerships and/or limited liability companies.
• work directly with attorneys and clients during closings and corporate transactions.
• provide attorneys with assistance in the preparation for and closing of various corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, and initial public offerings.
• prepare audit letters for distribution to auditors and clients.
• gather litigation and billing information to prepare draft responses to auditors' requests for information.
• prepare/conduct UCC Filings/Searches.
• assist attorneys in the preparation and filing of UCC filings and handle UCC filing search requests in all states.
• assist with the completion and filing of SS-4 Forms with the Internal Revenue Service for the purpose of obtaining Employee Identification Numbers (EINs) for corporations, partnerships and/or limited liability companies.
• assisting attorneys in preparation for hearings and trials.
• investigating and fact-finding for cases.
• identifying relevant legal articles, laws ,and judicial decisions for cases.
• assisting in preparing legal documents such as legal arguments, motions, contracts, and agreements.
• organizing, indexing, and tracking files.
• analyzing and organizing information to produce reports.
• monitoring and reviewing government regulations.
• providing administrative support for attorneys in court and at the offices.

• must deal directly with the public regarding legal issues for the Tribe.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Possession of a valid SD Driver’s license and insurable by the FSST. Willingness to use personal vehicle in the course of employment. Must submit to a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening and P.L. 101-630 background check.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and/or projects and occasionally work odd hours to perform on deadlines.
• Must be able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing to interface with a wide range of internal staff, committee members, and community members.
• Direct experience with research, analyzing, planning, organizing, and legal terminology is strongly required.
• Must have excellent computer and typing skills, knowledge of legal principles and practices, critical thinking skills, follow up, and information monitoring experience ability to pay attention to detail for accuracy, must be familiar with legal databases and be confidential at all times.
• Must have experience with Legal Research including Westlaw, WestlawNext, and library experience.

• Must be culturally competent to the needs of those seeking help from the Tribe.

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s Degree preferred; Associates degree in Paralegal studies required. 2-3 years of work experience with tribal law or government regulations strongly preferred. Certification may be required throughout the course of employment.