Legal Assistant (Law Department - Litigation Division)

Legal Assistant (Law Department - Litigation Division)

Salary

$125,596,640.00 - $169,522,080.00 Annually

Location

Detroit, Michigan, MI

Job Type

Certified-Regular Civil Service

Job Number

2026109194172026LAWJS

Department

Law

Opening Date

07/21/2026

Closing Date

8/16/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Bargaining Unit

1850-Law Department Paralegals UAW 412 Unit 86

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

LAW DEPARTMENT - LITIGATION DIVISION

LEGAL ASSISTANT (PARALEGAL)

Established by the Detroit City Charter, the Law Department is an independent agency that represents the interests of the City of Detroit as a corporate body. The Department is headed by the Corporation Counsel, whose mission is to provide a variety of legal services to the City, its elected officials, departments, agencies, offices, commissions, and boards, as well as its individual employee, in their official capacity.

The Department has dozens of attorneys, specializing in various areas, who provide legal advice, opinions, and counsel to clients; defend all legal actions against the City; prosecute violations of State law and/or City Ordinances on behalf of the people of the City of Detroit.

Examples of Duties

1. Perform legal research under the direction of an attorney.

2. Gather information regarding laws, ordinances, regulation, court decisions and similar materials.

3. Draft legal documents and correspondence including, but not limited to, briefs, pleadings, opinions, stipulations, leases, deeds, contracts, and other legal documents.

4. Prepare summaries of research results and conclusions.

5. Interview clients and witnesses and research facts to obtain necessary information.

6. Act as liaison among clients, various internal departments as well as with outside agencies and parties.

7. Assist attorneys in conducting discovery by formulating discovery requests and discovery responses.

8. Work directly with attorneys and clients during various types of transactions through closing.

9. Locate, collect, organize, review and summarize documents.

10. Conduct on-site investigations.

11. Prepare histories and chronologies of events or other subject matters.

12. Attend meetings, depositions, mediations, settlement conferences, and trials with attorneys.

13. Assist attorneys in the development of case strategy and in the negotiation and settlement of claims and lawsuits.

14. Identify and consults with expert witnesses.

15. Assist attorneys in all facets of trials including compilation of witness and trial notebooks, identification and compilation of trial exhibits.

16. Prepare oral and written reports, and presentations.

17. Maintain and operate computerized databases for docket control, case management, calendaring, and litigation support purposes.

18. Provide administrative assistance such as preparation of case statistic reports, case summaries, litigation activity reports and other reports as requested by management.

19. Organize and maintain litigation, evidence materials, case and other legal files and records.

20. File, pleadings and other legal documents with courts or administrative agencies; efile documents in all courts.

21. Assist staff attorneys in carrying out their assignments.

22. Update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; and participating in professional organizations.

23. Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Successful completion of an American Bar Association approved paralegal/legal studies programs and three years of work experience as a Legal Assistant. -OR-
• An Associate degree with a specialization in paralegal studies form an American Bar Association approved institution and two years of work experience as a Legal Assistant. -OR-
• Bachelor's degree with a specialization in paralegal studies, legal studies, or legal administration from an American Bar Association-approved institution, and six months of work experience as a Legal Assistant.

LICENSE, CERTIFICATION AND OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Valid State of Michigan Operator License.

EQUIVALENCY

• Equivalent combinations of education and experience that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Supplemental Information

Evaluation Plan

• Interview: 70%
• Evaluation of Training, Experience & Personal Qualifications: 30%
• Total of Interview and Evaluation T.E.P: 100%

Additional points may be awarded for:

• Veteran Points: 0 - 15 points
• Detroit Residency Credit: 15 point

KNOWLEDGE OF

• Laws, policies, and procedures that affect the department
• Litigation, organization and management
• MS-OfficeSuite(Word,Excel, PowerPoint)
• Westlaw
• Research and analysis methods
• Quality management and process improvement principles
• Michigan Court Rules and Federal Court Rules related to Pleadings and Discovery

SKILL IN:

• Interpreting instructions and guidelines to make decisions and take necessary action(s).
• Preparing a variety of legal-related documents.
• Use of technology as a tool to provide support to attorneys.
• Maintain the calendars of counsel
• Coordinate and confirm court dates and appointments
• Perform electronic filing process
• Prepare Damage Claim responses
• Prepare litigation related documents without use of an example
• Highly organized when managing multiple tasks
• Work under tight deadlines
• Draft correspondence and basic pleadings
• Actively participate in organizational change initiatives
• Analyze information to make effective decisions

ABILITY TO:

• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Proofread and edit correspondence and legal documents for accurate grammar, spelling, and punctuation usage.
• Identify and solve complex problems, determine work priorities, organize work and establish priorities.
• Assist in establishing client relations, effectively manage time, follow instructions.
• Maintain composure during stressful situations occurring because of workloads and/or deadlines.
• Interact effectively with the public and departmental personnel with tact and diplomacy.
• Respond to work place dynamics in a timely, visionary and proactive manner
• Interpret and analyze data
• Manage multiple priorities
• Acquire additional training and knowledge of contemporary principles and best practices of function managed
• Work effectively with minimal supervision
• Complete specialized, technical assignments
• Develop effective working relationships with other business units as well as external vendors and customers
• Learn and effectively use new software programs (including Smartsheet and HighQ)

Candidates considered for placement in this classification may be subject to a Criminal Background Investigation based on the requirements of the position.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to the class. Incumbents may be required to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Specific job duties may vary from position to position. The City of Detroit is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No applicant for employment shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or other criteria prohibited by City, State, or Federal law.

EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

The City of Detroit offers a competitive and comprehensive employee benefit package. We pride ourselves on the longevity of our employees. Part of the reason for the low turnover rate is the exceptional benefit package listed below. Benefits include, but are not limited to the following:

HEALTH

• Medical - Eligible for hospital, surgical, and prescription drug benefits.
• Dental
• Vision

INSURANCE

• Life Insurance - Optional group insurance available to employee and their family. The City pays 60% of premium for first $12,500 of employee life insurance. Employee may purchase, at own expense, life insurance for spouse and each dependent.
• Long-Term Disability Insurance (Income Protection Plan) - The City offers disability insurance through payroll deductions for persons who become disabled and who are not yet eligible for a service retirement.

PAID TIME OFF

• Sick Leave
• Vacation
• Holidays

OTHER LEAVE BENEFITS

The City also has the following paid and unpaid leaves; funeral leave, Family and Medical Leave, jury duty, military duty leave, unpaid personal leave,

RETIREMENT BENEFITS

City Employees Retirement System

As a regular City employee you automatically become a member of the General Retirement System. This entitles you to a retirement allowance after:

• Completion of thirty (30) years of service;
• At age sixty (60) if you have at least ten (10) years of service, or
• At age sixty-five (65) with eight (8) years of service.
• In the event of disability, other eligibility rules apply);
• An early, actuarially reduced, retirement is offered after you have attained at least twenty-five (25) years of service;
• Employees are vested after ten (10) years of service, regardless of age.

ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES - Employees have many opportunities for growth and career advancement throughout all City departments and divisions.

Have a successful career with the City of Detroit. Always remember that you are a part of a team with a common Vision of delivering excellent service to the citizens of the City of Detroit.

01

Please indicate your highest level of education completed

• High School Diploma/GED
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• PhD/J.D.
• No Education experience

02

Which qualification below do you possess?

• Completion of the American Bar Association, approved Paralegal/ Legal studies program and less than three (3) years of work experience as a Legal Assistant.
• Completion of the American Bar Association, approved Paralegal/ Legal studies program and more than three (3) years of work experience as a Legal Assistant.
• An Associate's degree with a specialization in paralegal studies from an American Bar Association - approved Institution and Less than 2 years of work experience as a Legal Assistant.
• An Associate's degree with a specialization in paralegal studies from an American Bar Association - approved Institution and more than 2 years of work experience as a Legal Assistant.
• A Bachelor's Degree with a specialization in Paralegal studies, Legal studies, or Legal administration from an American Bar Association, approved Institution, and less than (6) months of work experience as a Legal Assistant.
• A Bachelor's Degree with a specialization in Paralegal studies, Legal studies, or Legal administration from an American Bar Association, approved Institution, and more than (6) months of work experience as a Legal Assistant.
• None of the above

03

Do you have a valid State of Michigan Operator License?

• Yes
• No

04

Did you attach your cover letter and updated resume to your online application?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Detroit

Address Coleman A. Young Municipal Center

2 Woodward Ave ste 316

Detroit, Michigan, 48226

Website http://www.detroitmi.gov/Detroit-Opportunities/Find-A-Job