Legal Assistant / Paralegal (Law Department - State Misdemeanors)

Legal Assistant / Paralegal (Law Department - State Misdemeanors)

Salary

$60,383.00 - $81,501.00 Annually

Location

Detroit, Michigan, MI

Job Type

Certified-Regular Civil Service

Job Number

2026109194181326LAWjs

Department

Law

Opening Date

08/14/2026

Closing Date

8/31/2026 5:00 PM Eastern

Bargaining Unit

1850-Law Department Paralegals UAW 412 Unit 86

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

LAW DEPARTMENT

LEGAL ASSISTANT - PARALEGAL

STATE MISDEMEANORS

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 employees, in their official capacity.

The position involves supporting attorneys in two courtrooms prosecuting state law misdemeanors. Must be familiar with criminal law, criminal procedure and criminal trials. Keep track of case outcomes in both courtrooms and enter the data into a Smartsheet.

Position requires the retrieval and dissemination of discovery records for court proceedings at 36th District Court. Discovery dissemination may include but not be limited to electronic and hard copy records comprising of paper and electronic records, reports and police video footage. Electronic records dissemination may include the conversion of files into digital file formats that can be easily converted, copied, redacted, stored, and shared using a variety of secured platforms.

Examples of Duties

• Be required to manage a variety of digital media formats and software programs.
• Must be familiar with converting audio and video data files to various formats.
• Must have the requisite skills to upload and download data files to servers and other media platforms.
• Performs legal research under the direction of an attorney.
• Gathers information regarding laws, ordinances, regulation, court decisions and similar materials.
• Draft legal documents and correspondence including, but not limited to, briefs, pleadings, opinions, and other legal documents.
• Prepare summaries of research results and conclusions.
• Locates and interviews complainants and witnesses, and research facts to obtain necessary information
• Assist attorneys in conducting discovery by formulating discovery requests and discovery responses.
• Work directly with attorneys and witnesses.
• Locates, collects, organizes, reviews and summarizes documents.
• Prepares histories and chronologies of events or other subject matter.
• Identifies and consults with expert witnesses.
• Assist attorneys in all facets of trials including compilation of witness and trial notebooks and identification and compilation of trial exhibits.
• Prepares oral and written reports, and presentations.
• Maintain and operates computerized databases.
• Provides administrative assistance such as preparation of case statistic reports, case summaries, litigation activity reports and other reports as requested by management.
• Organizes and maintains evidence materials, case and other legal files and records.
• Files pleadings and other legal documents with courts and administrative agencies; efiles documents in all courts
• Assist attorneys in carrying out their assignments.
• Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; and participating in professional organizations.
• Summarizes discovery documents.
• Perform 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. Employees in this class will be required to provide and operate a motor vehicle on a reimbursed mileage basis.

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

• Research and analysis methods.
• Legal practices and procedures.
• Microsoft Office Suites.

SKILL IN:

• Conversion of files of
• digital file formats.
• 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

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.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

• Work involves office and field activities.

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

Must have a valid State of Michigan Operator License. Employees in this class will be required to provide and operate a motor vehicle on a reimbursed mileage basis. Do you have a valid State of Michigan Operator License?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have your cover letter, resume and writing sample attached 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