• Job Description

  Req#: 4995709
  
  
  
  
  Are you passionate about law, detail-driven, and ready to make a real impact behind the scenes? Join our team as a Paralegal and become a vital force in supporting the pursuit of justice. From Research to Results, step Into the Legal Spotlight as a Paralegal at the San Bernardino Superior Court. Apply today!
  
  
  Benefit Highlights
  View the 2025 Benefits Guide
  
  
  
  Description
  
  Under broad supervision, assists attorneys in providing legal services to self-represented litigants; assists attorneys in a range of research, documentation and analysis in the Legal Research unit and/or Self Help Resource Center; performs paraprofessional duties for a diverse legal caseload; and performs related duties as assigned.
  
  Distinguishing Characteristics
  
  A Paralegal provides paraprofessional legal assistance to one or more of the court's staff attorneys by researching/analyzing legal statutes, case law, recorded judicial decisions, legal articles and governmental codes. When assigned to the Self Help Center, provides education and assistance to self-represented litigants on matters including, but not limited to, family law, small claims, landlord-tenant and guardianship.
  
  Employees in this class typically report to a Supervising Paralegal.
  
  Paralegal is differentiated from a Self Help Assistant in that the former class is a certified Paralegal or equivalent pursuant to Business & Professions Code Section 6450 and performs the more difficult or complex assignments.
  1. Completes routine legal research on various issues as directed by an attorney or supervisor, or as needed by court customers.
     
  2. Collects information and reviews legal documents and forms for completeness and procedural compliance with code requirements; conducts legal research; reviews/assesses factual matters and claims related to cases.
     
  3. Provides information and educational materials to the public regarding court rules, regulations and procedures; reviews documents with self-represented parties and explains their legal options; provides assistance in completing and filing legal forms; explains fees and fines; screens cases and refers to outside agencies where appropriate.
     
  4. Maintains statistics and prepares periodic reports.
     
  5. Performs community outreach activities to inform the public of the self-help services offered by the court.
     
  6. Performs other duties as assigned.
     
     
  Certificate of completion of a paralegal training program approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) or equivalencies as described in Business and Professions Code section 6450(c)(2)-(c)(4), and two (2) years of increasingly responsible legal, court and/or judicial support assistance that includes legal research and drafting legal documents; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
  
  Must possess and maintain a Paralegal Certification and perform mandatory continuing legal education.
  
  Knowledge of:
  • Principles and practices of civil, criminal and administrative law applicable to practice as a paralegal;
  • Rules, statutes, and case authority applicable to areas of law served by the unit to which the paralegal is assigned, including but not limited to paternity, family law, guardianship, unlawful detainers, and small claims;
  • California court procedures, rules of evidence and burden-of-proof issues;
  • Principles, practices and techniques of legal research and writing;
  • Methods and techniques of effective interviewing;
  • Methods and techniques of legal research and investigation;
  • Legal forms and the content required for filing cases, including, but not limited to, family law, small claims, landlord-tenant and guardianship;
  • Standard business software and specialized legal software and programs;
  • Correct English usage including spelling, grammar and punctuation; practices of legal communication;
  • Effective customer service practices and techniques.
  Ability to:
  
  • Conduct legal research using legal databases and books and analyze factual and legal claims and issues;
  • Draft a wide variety of legal documents competently, ensuring that they meet all legal requirements and deadlines;
  • Present statements of fact, law and basic arguments clearly, logically and concisely;
  • Use interviewing skills to obtain accurate, useful information from court customers to identify their problems/needs and develop appropriate support measures;
  • Understand, interpret, communicate and apply specialized and complicated legal information and procedures applicable to the assignment;
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with court staff attorneys, officers of the court, judicial system employees, litigants and the public;
  • Operate a computer and use specialized legal software/programs, as well as standard business software;
  • Stay up-to-date on new/developing laws, forms and legal information relevant to the assignment;
  • Manage multiple tasks, set priorities and meet deadlines;
  • Exercise confidentiality and use tact, diplomacy and compassion when dealing with customers' personal issues and confidential situations.
  The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  
  Physical Demands
  
  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk and stand; talk and hear; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and perform repetitive movements of hands or wrists. The employee is frequently required to lift up to ten (10) pounds unaided.
  
  Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
  
  Mental Demands
  
  While performing the duties of this class, an employee uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets data, information and documents; analyzes and solves problems; uses math and mathematical reasoning; observes and interprets people and situations; learns and applies new information and skills; performs highly detailed work; deals with changing deadlines, constant interruptions and multiple concurrent tasks; and interacts with others encountered in the course of work, including frequent contact with the public.
  
  Work Environment
  
  The employee works in an office environment where the noise level is usually quiet.
  
  REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS:
  
  The Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process may contact the Human Resources Office at (909) 521-3700 or via email at HR@sb-court.org. Individuals with hearing and/or speech impairments may also contact the recruiter for this position through the use of the California Relay Service by dialing 711.

• About the company

  Welcome to the Superior Court of San Bernardino County’s official Twitter page. Follow us for the latest news and updates!

Notice