City of San Rafael

Job Class Specification

Job Title: Legal Assistant I/II

SUMMARY

The Legal Assistant is a flexibly staffed position responsible for providing administrative support to the City Attorney’s Office. The position performs a variety of complex, confidential, paraprofessional and technical work. Incumbents work on a fairly independent basis as they perform varied and complex legal duties. The position requires a broad understanding of City processes, procedures and regulations.

ESSENTIAL AND IMPORTANT DUTIES:

  • Performs confidential, technical and administrative legal tasks in support of attorneys.
  • Prepares and circulates all legal notices and summons for code enforcement hearings.
  • Arranges for appearance of administrative hearing officer, the hearing room, and court reporter.
  • Prepares and files all legal notices of liens for fines and penalties assessed by the hearing officer.
  • Performs a variety of duties related to subpoenas and records requests, including review of all subpoenas served on City Departments, checks compliance with legal requirements and informs attorney of status of records and/or witnesses.
  • Coordinates Subpoena response with City Departments, prepares draft written response for review by attorneys, and collects appropriate fees.
  • Researches department requests for case or statutory authority, locates, analyses and provides pertinent legal text and supporting documentation to staff.
  • Conducts legal research of codes, regulations and other legal matters.
  • Drafts and reviews legal documents, petitions, contracts and motion responses.
  • Drafts all court petitions for Police Department confiscation of weapons under the Health & Safety Code, obtains supporting declarations from police officers, prepares supporting authorities, and after attorney review, files petitions with the court.
  • Receives and screens visitors and phone calls, and provides citations to Municipal Code sections, legal documents, or other information as requested.
  • Reviews Pitchess motions for police personnel records, obtains and reviews pertinent documentation from Police Department, drafts response for attorney review, including supporting authorities, and files responses with the court.
  • Drafts Complaints for misdemeanor prosecutions of Municipal Code violations, arranges court dates and provides attorney with back-up material for court proceedings.
  • Prepares annual office budget, including drafting of goals and objectives for attorney approval.
  • Reconciles all office expenditures, manages all procurements of office supplies and equipment.
  • Prepares and processes various forms and documents, including payroll.
  • Prepares, organizes, reviews and maintains litigation files, subject matter and opinion files.
  • Manages and maintains City Attorney’s Office legal library.
  • Maintains attorneys’ calendars.
  • Makes arrangements for attorney continuing legal education requirements.
  • Sorts mail, attaches pertinent materials, and drafts responses.
  • Types and/or composes correspondence, brief reports and administrative projects.
  • Drafts reports to Council and management.
  • Performs related duties as required.