Supplemental Information

PNO-714-012323-AM

WHO WE ARE
The Port of New Orleans is a diverse deep water port uniquely located on the Mississippi River near the Gulf of Mexico. This naturally strategic location allows unparalleled access to 30-plus major inland hubs such as Dallas, Memphis, Chicago and Canada via 14,500 miles of waterways, six Class I railroads and interstate roadways. The alignment with New Orleans Public Belt Railroad strengthens our position as an integrated hub and supports our vision for regional freight-based economic development.

Port NOLA generates approximately $100 million in revenue annually through our four lines of business — cargo, rail, industrial real estate and cruises. As a self-sustaining political subdivision of the State of Louisiana, we receive zero tax dollars.

WHO YOU ARE
The Port of New Orleans is looking for a highly-motivated, first-class Paralegal to join us in supporting the Port of New Orleans and New Orleans Public Railroad.
In this role, you will gain many intangible skills, such as time and task management, critical thinking and problem solving, the ability to communicate complicated problems in a concise manner with internal and external colleagues of all levels. If you are well-organized and able to manage multiple critical tasks under tight deadlines, have good customer service skills, and thrive in a fast-paced and diverse environment, this job is for you!

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Litigation Preparation and Related Matters (generally requires supervision of attorney)

• 
  Prepares subpoenas and verifies service
• Serves as court runner
• Drafting correspondence, including demand letters, briefs, memoranda, discovery responses, and form pleadings.
• Gather and review potential responsive discovery materials to determine responsiveness, relevancy, and whether any exceptions or privileges apply
• Interviews potential witnesses
• Arranges depositions, discovery related inspections and other meetings involving litigation
• Creates summaries of medical records, depositions, and other litigation matters
• Prepares and organizes trial exhibits, testimony and trial notebooks

Contracts

• Assist in drafting and maintaining form agreements and leases
• Gather documents necessary for attorneys to review agreements and leases
• Draft correspondence regarding contract disputes or legal matters

Legal research

• Conducts legal research and prepares briefs for Board attorneys
• Maintains and organizes reference files

Public Records Requests and Department Records

• Works with the Board’s Custodian of Records to gather and review documents and other materials to determine responsiveness and whether any exceptions or privileges apply
• Assists with responding to public record requests
• Maintains the departments repository of records and manages the department’s records retention schedule

Assists claims manager with investigation of claims

Miscellaneous

• Serves as a back-up to the legal assistant in answering phone calls, taking messages, gathering and delivering mail, etc.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Completion of a Paralegal Studies or Legal Assistant study program based at an accredited four-year college or junior college, or of any Paralegal Studies or Legal Assistant study program approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) plus two years of paralegal experience.

SUBSTITUTIONS:
A Juris Doctorate will substitute for the study programs specified above.

Possession of the Certified Paralegal (CP) certification issued by the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc. will substitute for the study programs specified above.

Port NOLA offers competitive benefits that prioritize safety, health and wellness for our employees. Employees have access to the following benefits:

• Medical / Dental / Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Medical and/or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Life Insurance options
• Long Term Disability Plan
• State of Louisiana LASERS state pension program
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 plan) with employer match
• Paid Louisiana State Holidays; and paid Annual and Sick Leave
• Wellness Center located in the Port Administration Building
• Ship Shape Wellness Program

No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.

To apply for this vacancy, click on the “Apply” link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

*Resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete. *

For further information about this vacancy contact:
April McKnight
Port of New Orleans / Human Resources
P.O. Box 60046
New Orleans, LA 70160
504-528-3277

Qualifications

NOTE:

Disbarred attorneys and those who have permanently resigned from the practice of law in lieu of discipline may not be hired in any position in connection with the practice of law. Suspended attorneys or an attorney transferred to disability inactive status during the period of suspension may not be hired in any position in connection with the practice of law unless such hiring is first preceded by the submission of a fully executed registration statement to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, on a registration form provided by the Louisiana Disciplinary Board, and approved by the Louisiana Supreme Court. See Rule 5.5(e)(1) of the Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct; In Re Davenport, 2021-01371 (La. 11/3/21) and 326 So.3d 882; In re Sharp, 2012- 2463 (La. 1/11/13), 106 So.3d 105. The hiring agency is responsible for conducting the necessary background checks prior to appointment.

NOTE:

Any college hours or degree must be from an accredited college or university.

Job Concepts

Function of Work:
To perform a variety of legal tasks for an attorney.

Level of Work:
Experienced.

Supervision Received:
Broad review from an attorney.

Supervision Exercised:
None.

Location of Work:
May be used by any state agency.

Job Distinctions:
Differs from an attorney by lack of a law degree and license to practice law in the state.

Examples of Work

Conducts legal research as an aid to an attorney in finding laws and court decisions for determining the proper application of a department's rules and regulations.

Prepares cases for court by drafting pleadings.

Interviews potential witnesses in preparation for trail.

Searches, examines, and collects authorities on points of law in connection with the preparation of cases for trial.

Composes briefs, memoranda, and other correspondence on legal matters affecting a department.

Collects delinquent payments through personal contact with debtors by phone or by demand letters.

Indexes legal opinions and maintains legal library.