Litigation Specialist III

DEFINITION

This is advanced professional level litigation work of assisting attorneys during the litigation process by developing concise coordination of legal documents, such as pre-claim investigations, pleadings, interrogatories, and depositions which lawyers may require for closings, hearings, trials, and meetings. An incumbent is required to work closely with attorneys to file court documents and organize briefs, exhibits and appendices. He/she produces litigation support documents, order transcripts from reporting services and complete documentation requests from outside counsel. It is differentiated from Litigation Specialist II by the level or responsibility that is required for handling more complex cases within the agency. He/she is required to assist in the development of policies and procedures for the Division. He/she provides territorial functions to the support staff in Civil, Criminal & Family divisions. May supervise other workers in the absence of the supervisor.

DUTIES (NOT ALL INCLUSIVE)

• Provides guidance and support to lower level staff as they carry out their duties and responsibilities to assure accountability in compliance with departmental goals and objectives.
• Functions as a lead worker to lower level staff in daily work assignments.
• Provides professional level analysis, research, and technical assistance with litigation cases.
• Acts as liaison between the Department of Justice and the courts both federal and local districtwide.
• Provides assistance with the development of new policies and programs for management.
• Analyzes and resolves problems that may arise in the department.
• Exercises judgment within defined procedures and policies to determine appropriate action.
• Investigates complaints and performance concerns.
• Coordinates and provide new employee orientation, train, coach and evaluate lower level staff.
• Prepares administrative reports and notices on all activities of the unit as requested.
• Provides updates on all significant development and matters of the unit to management.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

FACTOR 1 — KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION:

• Knowledge of local and federal laws, legal terms and codes that govern the US Virgin Islands.
• Knowledge of tort law, legal terms, and current case laws.
• Knowledge of litigation documents and the procedures in local and or federal courts.
• Knowledge of interviewing and fact-finding techniques.
• Working knowledge of the rules of civil procedure, judicial council forms and other related procedures in the filing process.
• Skill in performing legal research.
• Skill in anticipating documentation, action or process steps at inception or conclusion of cases.
• Skill in maintaining a keen eye for detail.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently, with limited direction on complex tasks.
• Ability to work well with others, supporting a collaborative team environment.
• Ability to quickly acquire knowledge of systems, protocols, instructions, and experience.
• Ability to effectively interact with opposing counsels and clients.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing with the use of legal terminology utilizing investigation techniques.
• Ability to travel locally to courts or clients.
• Skilled in Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

FACTOR 2 — SUPERVISORY CONTROL

Incumbent defines own work assignments within broad guidelines with general review upon completion. May supervise staff in the absence of management.

FACTOR 3 —  GUIDELINES

Guidelines include manuals on legal procedures as outlined for the USVI; the Virgin Islands Code; Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the Agency.

FACTOR 4 — COMPLEXITY

This position requires an incumbent to engage in in-depth research and coordination of legal documents to produce pre-claim investigations, pleadings, interrogatories, and depositions. An incumbent must maintain a meticulous filing system of all transcripts and supporting documents that were established throughout the litigation process. It is differentiated from a Litigation Specialist II by the level of responsibility that is required for handling more complex cases within the agency. He/she is required to assist in the development of policies and procedures for the Division and in coordinating staff trainings. He/she provides territorial functions to the support staff in Civil, Criminal & Family divisions.

FACTOR 5 — SCOPE AND EFFECT

The purpose of this position is to provide advanced procedural assistance to attorneys during the litigation process to develop coordination of legal documents necessary for pre-claim, investigations, pleadings, interrogatories, and depositions.

FACTOR 6 — PERSONAL CONTACTS

Contacts are with employees of the Department of Justice’s Criminal and Civil divisions, Attorneys, the Courts, and other government offices.

FACTOR 7 — PURPOSE OF CONTACTS

The purpose of the contacts is for completing discovery, preparing documents, and reviewing cases for legal sufficiency.

FACTOR 8 — PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work is basically sedentary with occasional walking, standing, bending and transferring items under twenty-five (25) pounds such as papers and files.

FACTOR 9 — WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work is performed in an office setting; however, some travel may be required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Studies or closely related field and six (6) years’ experience in a law office or an in-house legal department.

OR

Two (2) years’ experience as a Litigation Specialist II

Necessary Special Qualification:

Possession of a Valid Driver’s License to operate a motor vehicle in the US Virgin Islands.