Paralegal

$60,883 - $60,883/Yr

Howard Community College - Baltimore, MD

Full-time - Entry Level

Baltimore, MD

Educational Services

About the position

Howard Community College (HCC) is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Paralegal to provide high-quality paralegal and administrative support to the General Counsel. The successful candidate will be responsible for conducting legal research, investigating facts, and preparing documents to assist attorneys with matters brought before administrative agencies and in state and federal courts. This role requires a high level of discretion and independent judgment in applying a specialized body of laws, regulations, agency policies, and practices, as well as judicial and administrative proceedings. In this position, the paralegal will provide a full range of administrative support to the General Counsel, which includes drafting correspondence, scheduling meetings and conference calls, making travel arrangements, preparing and sending documents via mail and express services, and maintaining both electronic and physical filing systems. The paralegal will also support the General Counsel in ensuring that all deadlines are met and transactions are completed in a timely manner. This involves drafting, reviewing, analyzing, and organizing documents related to administrative proceedings, transactional matters, and litigation, while monitoring ongoing matter activity and pending deadlines. The paralegal will coordinate with various College units to gather information in response to subpoenas and Maryland Public Information Act requests, perform research from reference sources, and maintain files for pleadings, contracts, letters, and correspondence. Additionally, the paralegal will serve as the initial contact for all telephone calls and visitors to the Office of the General Counsel, handling inquiries and matters personally where possible. This role requires the ability to maintain strict confidentiality, communicate effectively, and work independently under pressure while managing multiple tasks and priorities.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality paralegal and administrative support to the General Counsel.
• Conduct legal research and investigate facts to assist attorneys with matters in administrative agencies and courts.
• Draft, review, analyze, and organize documents in administrative proceedings, transactional matters, and litigation.
• Monitor ongoing matter activity and pending deadlines in various legal matters.
• Exercise independent judgment towards matter preparation and initiate contact with attorneys and other involved parties.
• Coordinate with various College units to gather information in response to subpoenas and Maryland Public Information Act requests.
• Assemble, organize, and maintain files for pleadings, contracts, letters, and correspondence.
• Prepare necessary paperwork for requisition and payment of purchases, subscriptions, and legal fees.
• Manage multiple calendars, including meetings, appointments, and leave.
• Perform general administrative tasks as requested.

Requirements

• Associate's degree required.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated analytical skills to maintain a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and prioritize tasks to meet workload requirements and deadlines.
• Ability to work well under pressure with minimum supervision.
• Proficient in all Microsoft applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Nice-to-haves

• Prior experience as a paralegal is preferred but not required.
• Experience working in a legal office in the military, federal government, or a multi-office law firm is also preferred but not required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Benefits

• Competitive salaries
• Excellent medical and dental selections
• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid leave programs
• Retirement options including The Pension and The ORP (403b) with employer contributions.