PRA Paralegal/Analyst (CALIFORNIA)

Best Best & Krieger LLP is a nationally recognized law firm focused on delivering effective and client-service oriented solutions to complex legal issues facing public agencies, businesses and individuals across the U.S. BBK is proud to trace the firm's success back to the groundwork of professionalism and community service laid by its founders 135 years ago. Today, with nearly 250 attorneys in offices throughout California and in Oregon and Washington, D.C., we efficiently and meaningfully assist our clients with complex, multi-disciplinary issues and provide creative solutions.

At BBK, we place a high degree of value in creating and nurturing a work environment that attracts the best talent and reflects our commitment to culture, community and equal opportunity. We are proud of our workplace culture, where we respect and value our colleagues for their unique perspectives and experiences.

The Public Records Act (PRA) Analyst or Paralegal performs a variety of substantive legal work focused on the PRA for public agency clients. The Analysts/Paralegal works directly with Lead Paralegals in the Advanced Records Center (ARC) adept in the review of documents collected in response to requests on behalf of public agency clients at the direction and supervision of attorneys engaged in the practice of municipal and public law. Under this practice, the legal work will focus exclusively on the PRA and assisting public agency clients in analyzing requests for public records, reviewing databases of documents to separate responsive records from exempt or privileged records, redacting documents based on privilege and/or exemptions found in the PRA, and working with attorneys in preparing responses for the public agency client to provide to the requester.  

Incumbent is expected to possess analytical skills in terminology, procedures, deadlines, and be able to exercise discretion in the disposition of complex problems.  Some duties require collecting, analyzing, and utilizing information to make an independent decision and recommendation to the supervising attorney or to prepare documents specific to the practice area, such as informative or explanatory materials on laws, agency regulations, and policies for general use by the agency and the public.

REQUIRED RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Track and analyze public records requests that are submitted to public agency clients.
• Assist with determining the scope of search that the public agency must undertake to find responsive records.
• Collaborate with public agency staff to transfer documents to the law firm for review. Reviews databases of documents to determine responsiveness of documents. Tags documents as privileged or exempt, as necessary, or otherwise redacts documents. Such work will require the paralegal to have experience with the PRA and other public records-related statutory exemptions, as well as case law.
• Assist attorneys in drafting response letters to records requesters. Maintains deadlines to ensure that records are provided to the public agency client in time for the public agency to provide records to requesters within the statutory requirements. Consult with attorneys and client on conclusions regarding exemptions for withholding records and records to be produced.
• Review public agency client records (written, verbal and electronic) and confers with Lead Paralegal and/or assigning attorney to prevent the unauthorized release.
• Review large volume of records being able to spot legal and public policy issues of importance to the public agency client. Consults with attorneys on how to best communicate these issues to the client before producing the records.
• Act as a representative on behalf of the public agency counsel, demonstrating a positive attitude with professionalism, courtesy, and appropriate tact and discretion in all interactions with members of the public, opposing counsel, other agencies, and other employees.
• Researches state, statutory, case and other authorities applicable to the California Public Records Act.
• Conducts legal, public records, and other research (including cite check/Shepardizing) relating to simple and complex matters, summarizes findings and recommends proposed courses of action and/or solutions to the assigning attorney; is knowledgeable about internet research sources; assists with problem formulation, data collection, and analysis as needed by the assigning attorney.
• Prepares legal documents and correspondence applicable to the practice area in draft and final forms – including redline, as directed by the assigning attorney, and utilizes independent judgment to determine proper distribution; proofreads legal documents and correspondence and makes required corrections in spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Maintains accurate calendar for deadlines – as required.
• Searches for, obtains, reviews materials and prepares and maintains appropriate control measures – such as databases - for expedient search and retrieval re the same.
• Timely maintains documents necessary to meet the firm’s and/or practice group’s objectives.  For example, daily timekeeping log for billing purposes.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• The degree of knowledge and ability as outlined under this section is that which is necessary to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of this position set forth above and:

KNOWLEDGE OF THE FOLLOWING:

• Excellent organizational, analytical and case management skills.
• Proficient in the use of a variety of technology both in-house programs and various courts.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Ability to interact with clients and colleagues in a courteous and professional manner to provide case status and obtain necessary information.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to successfully pass the Association of E-Discovery Specialists Certification.
• Conduct other tasks as workflow necessitates.

REQUIRED EDUCATION:

• B.A. or B.S. degree from an accredited college or university, or equivalent experience.
• Paralegal certificate from an ABA approved program or an affidavit regarding work experience sufficient to comply with California Business and Professions Code Sections 6450-6456.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE:

• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience with electronic document review in a law firm or government setting.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND CHARACTERISTICS:

(not position specific)

• Previous work experience in a public agency or law office practice serving public agency clients and experience responding to public records act requests.

The reasonably expected pay scale for this position with 5 or more years of experience is $75,000 - $85,000 annually, non-exempt.  The actual salary within that range will depend on the selected candidate’s location and experience.  We encourage all interested candidates to apply.

Best Best & Krieger is an equal opportunity employer.