Paralegal

The University of Maryland, College Park is one of the nation’s preeminent public research universities
and the State of Maryland’s flagship university. The Office of General Counsel at the University of
Maryland seeks an experienced paralegal to join its team.

Paralegals provide legal and administrative support services to all attorneys in the Office of General
Counsel (OGC), the in-house office that provides legal support and advice to the University of Maryland,
College Park. OGC is a fast-paced office that serves many high-priority client needs. The breadth of
OGC’s legal practice requires Paralegals to be capable and willing to support OGC, its attorneys, and its
support staff in a wide range of legal, operational, and administrative tasks. These include but are not
limited to assisting with transactional legal work, including contract review, drafting, and negotiation;
assisting with litigation, hearings, and other adversarial matters; legal and factual research and writing;
performing records management; tracking the wide variety of matters handled by OGC; and supporting
the University’s responses to information requests, human resources, corporate, transactional, real
estate, and policy matters. Paralegals provide general administrative support (e.g., copying, scanning,
filing) to the OGC attorneys and each other whenever the need arises.

Paralegals work under attorney supervision to review, edit, and draft legal documents, legal memoranda,
and varied communications; perform legal and factual research and provide written analysis; review,
prepare, and maintain documents, exhibits, and presentations; analyze, preserve, and maintain evidence;
monitor and update internal tracking processes; and communicate and interact with clients, outside
counsel, and third parties, including other governmental units.

Paralegals assist with the University’s responses to internal and external information requests, such as
Public Information Act (PIA) requests; subpoenas or court/legal/administrative orders; Employee
Grievance Hearings; Public Safety Denial of Access Appeals; and similar matters handled by OGC. As
the need arises, Paralegals may be assigned primary responsibility for such matters.

Paralegals work collaboratively and cross-train extensively with OGC’s Executive Assistant(s) and Legal
Coordinator(s) to provide administrative support for OGC and its attorneys as needed, which may include
scheduling, coordinating, and tracking matters; supporting office operations and information
management; and maintaining filing systems.

OGC is looking for a self-motivated person who has the ability and desire to be a team player and
understands that no task is too small or mundane if it is in support of the office. The ideal candidate is: a
strong writer who has attention to detail when it comes to grammar, spelling, and punctuation; provides
solid legal analyses; able to assist with many assignments at the same time, prioritize them, and meet
deadlines; one with excellent verbal communications skills; proficient in using the Microsoft Office Suite of
applications, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel; proficient in using Google Workplace, including
Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Drive; and proficient in using virtual platforms, including Zoom and
Box.

Minimum Qualifications:
Education:

• BA or BS degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience:

•  Four (4) or more years’ experience providing support to practicing attorneys. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Demonstrated ability to perform legal research involving federal and state statutes, regulations, other administrative guidance, and case law.
• Strong proficiency using Microsoft Office suite of applications, specifically Word, PowerPoint, and Excel; and Google Workplace, including Gmail and Google Calendar. Ability to become proficient with new software applications as needed.
• Excellent organizational, planning, problem solving, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to be a team player, understanding that no task is too small if it is in support of the office.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing; use discretion and good judgment; and work under multiple deadlines and with any matter assigned.
• Interact courteously and professionally with all constituencies and maintain strict confidentiality regarding all OGC matters.
• Ability to follow directions, take initiative, and work independently in a deadline-driven environment.
• State of Maryland notary or ability to become a notary upon employment.

Preferences:

• BA or BS in Legal Studies, Business, Criminal Justice, English, or other relevant fields.
• Previous experience working in the higher education industry or public sector.
• Paralegal degree or certification.
• Working knowledge of Maryland law and laws applicable to a research-intensive university.
• Previous experience as a litigation or transactional paralegal or legal assistant, including business, procurement, or real estate transactions.
• Demonstrated ability to perform legal research involving federal, state, and administrative statutes, regulations, and case law.
• Ability to create and update websites.
• Proficiency with one or more legal document/case management applications.

Physical Demand:
Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment
and keyboards. Must have the ability to lift and carry small parcels, packages and other items, to walk
short distances, and drive a vehicle to deliver and pick up materials/supplies.