PARALEGAL
Salary
$55,674.00 - $103,553.00 Annually
Location
GOVERNMENT CENTER 141 PRYOR STREET, GA
Job Type
LEGAL
Department
Public Defender
Opening Date
06/23/2026
Closing Date
6/27/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Pay Grade:
16
UNCLASSIFIED POSITION
THE CURRENT VACANCY IS WITHIN THE PUBLIC DEFENDER DEPARTMENT.
Please refrain from attaching personal and identifiable information: Driver's License, Photo on Resumes, DD214, Vaccination cards, etc
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelors Degree in a related field is required; supplemented by two years of administrative support experience in a legal setting; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Resumes are welcomed without personal and identifiable information.
Specific License or Certification Required: Certification as a Paralegal is preferred. Certification as a Notary Public is preferred. Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia drivers license.
Specific Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities: Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the performance of the essential functions and learn, comprehend, and apply all county or departmental policies, practices, and procedures necessary to function effectively in the position.
Veterans' Preference:
Qualifying veterans will be given preference in the form of a guaranteed invitation to interview for any position to which they applied and have been found to have met the minimum qualifications. Veterans' preference provides for hiring preference on initial appointment only. To see the full Fulton County Veterans' Preference Policy and Procedure, please click here.
ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED IN FULL BEFORE THEY ARE SUBMITTED. PLEASE REVIEW ALL APPLICATIONS FOR ACCURACY AND MAKE ALL CORRECTIONS BEFORE SUBMISSION BECAUSE ERRORS CAN RESULT IN NOT MEETING THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER ALLOCATIONS ARE RECEIVED BY THE PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT.
Purpose of Classification:
The purpose of this classification is to conduct legal research, to assist attorneys and judicial staff in court, and to provide lead direction to legal assistants or other administrative staff as assigned.
Essential Functions:
The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.
Leads and coordinates daily work activities of assigned crew or co-workers: confers with supervisor to obtain direction regarding work assignments and priorities; organizes tasks in order to complete assigned work; monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work; confers with co-workers, assists with complex/problem situations, and provides technical expertise; assists with training and instructing co-workers regarding operational procedures and proper use of equipment; assists with supervision of co-workers by reporting employee problems and providing input on disciplinary action and employee performance evaluations.
Conducts preliminary investigations: reviews complaints and other pleadings; conducts research to determine appropriate jurisdiction; reviews rules of procedure and calendar deadlines; gathers and evaluates initial facts and documents; interviews clients; maintains all related documentation.
Conducts discovery investigations: determines and interviews witnesses; drafts and/or reviews interrogatories, requests for admissions, and requests for production of documents; coordinates collection and review of client files and documents; gathers, organizes, summarizes and analyzes data; drafts and/or reviews responses to discovery requests; locates and retains expert witnesses; prepares chronologies; reviews hearing notices and publications; maintains related documentation.
Manages document production: obtains and reviews all documents in clients possession; conducts initial review for privilege; confers with attorney to determine which documents to produce; organizes and manages document production and litigation support, including reviewing, indexing, organizing, and analyzing documents; follows up on outstanding discovery requests.
Coordinates depositions: schedules depositions with client and opposing counsel; drafts, reviews, and serves notices and subpoenas; reviews and assembles documents; assists with witness preparation; retains court reporter; indexes and summarizes depositions.
Drafts and responds to formal motions and briefs: performs research and compiles necessary information for motions and briefs; prepares exhibits; researches and confirms validity of case history; reviews, proofs, and submits documentation to appropriate personnel; coordinates the service of briefs and court filings.
Participates in trial preparation and execution: prepares pleading, deposition and trial notebooks with key documents and witness files; discusses court room etiquette with clients and witnesses; coordinates appearance of expert witnesses; organizes, marks and indexes trial exhibits; monitors and coordinates exchange of trial exhibits; manages evidence and equipment; attends jury selection; maintains jury information and details; assists attorney during trial as needed.
Maintains documents, forms, files, checklists and knowledge of current court rules: maintains litigation docket; maintains calendar of significant dates for case events, such as responsive pleadings and motions, court appearances, etc.; designs and implements case litigation systems as needed.
Processes a variety of documentation associated with department/division operations, within designated timeframes and per established procedures: receives and reviews various documentation, including pleading files, legal case decisions, client files and documents, depositions and exhibits; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate; prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, and other documentation, including motions, briefs and case documentation; compiles data for further processing or for use in preparation of department reports; and maintains computerized and/or hardcopy records.
Operates or uses various equipment and supplies in order to complete work assignments: operates a personal computer to enter, retrieve, review or modify data, utilizing word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, Internet, e-mail, or other software; and operates general office or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions.
Communicates with supervisor, other employees, clients, court personnel, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.
Additional Functions:
Performs other related duties as required.
For Applicants With Prior Military Service:
We strongly encourage veterans, prior military and transitioning service members to apply. Many of the competencies and transferable skills developed through military service directly support success in this role, including:
Leadership Under Pressure: Maintains composure and accuracy when handling urgent filings, tight court deadlines, or last-minute attorney requests; Manages multiple priorities during high-volume case periods; Supports attorneys by anticipating needs during fast-moving legal proceedings.
Operational Planning & Execution: Organizes case materials, deadlines, and workflow to ensure smooth legal operations; Prepares and tracks motions, subpoenas, and discovery packets; Maintains orderly case files (digital and physical) for quick retrieval; Coordinates schedules with attorneys, courts, and external agencies.
Adaptability & Rapid Problem Solving: Adjusts quickly to new case developments, shifting priorities, or unexpected attorney directives; Reorganizes case files or timelines when new evidence arrives; Finds alternative solutions when documents, records, or contacts are unavailable.
Team Cohesion & Communication: Works collaboratively with attorneys, clerks, investigators, and administrative staff to support unified case strategy; Ensures attorneys have accurate information before hearings or meetings; Builds trust through reliability, follow-through, and professional interactions.
Safety & Risk Awareness: Identifies legal, ethical, and procedural risks to protect case integrity and client rights; Flags inconsistencies or missing documents that could impact case outcomes; Monitors compliance with court rules, filing requirements, and deadlines.
Technical & Equipment Proficiency: Uses legal software, case-management systems, and office technology efficiently; Manages electronic case files and uploads documents to court portals; Conducts legal research using databases like Westlaw or Lexis.
Performance Aptitudes:
Data Utilization: Requires the ability to evaluate, audit, deduce, and/or assess data using established criteria. Includes exercising discretion in determining actual or probable consequences and in referencing such evaluation to identify and select alternatives.
Human Interaction: Requires the ability to act as lead person or crew leader, providing guidance to a work unit, coordinating activities, and reviewing work of the unit.
Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.
Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize consulting and advisory data and information, as well as reference, descriptive and/or design data and information as applicable.
Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; the ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions; and the ability to interpret graphs.
Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of rational systems; to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form; and to exercise independent judgment to adopt or modify methods and standards to meet variations in assigned objectives.
Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving evaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria.
It is the policy of Fulton County that there will be equal opportunity for every citizen, employee and applicant, based upon merit without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, genetics, disability or sexual orientation.
01
The answers you provide to the supplemental questions will be used to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for this position. Your responses pertaining to specific work experience and education must be clearly shown in the areas for work history and education on your application. Your application must be completed in full before it is submitted. Please review all applications for accuracy and make all corrections before submittal because errors can result in not meeting the minimum qualifications. We do not accept additional information after your application has been received by the Human Resources Management Department. Do you accept these conditions?
02
Are you a current employee of the Fulton County government?
03
What is your highest level of education completed?
04
Which degree related to this position do you possess?
05
In what field of study related to this position do you possess an Associates Degree, Bachelors Degree, Masters Degree, Doctorates Degree or have earned college credits?
06
If you have received some college credits related to this position, but DID NOT receive your degree, how many college credits did you earn?
07
How much work experience do you possess in providing administrative support in a legal setting?
08
Do you possess a valid Drivers License?
09
How many months or years of experience in drafting, editing, and sending legal correspondence do you possess?
10
Do you possess a Paralegal Certification?
11
Are you certified as a Notary Public?
12
How many months or years of experience do you possess taking detailed notes for attorneys review?
13
Do you have 3 or more years of experience managing case files within a criminal justice system?
Required Question
Employer Fulton County
Address 141 Pryor Street
Suite 3030
Atlanta, Georgia, 30303
Phone (404) 613-6700
Website http://www.fultoncountyga.gov