City of Pasadena, CA

Please note: Applications will be accepted Thursday, October 9, 2025 through Thursday, October 23, 2025.

The City of Pasadena - City Attorney's Office is seeing a skilled, enthusiastic, and detail oriented paralegal responsible for a diverse legal caseload, including preparation of litigation and transactional work, and conducting legal research and drafts documents under the guidance of an attorney.

The ideal candidate is highly organized with great communication skills, excellent research and writing skills and possesses the ability to multi-task and work independently. The successful candidate will have recent experience working in a law office performing difficult and responsible paralegal duties assisting attorneys in the investigation and analysis of legal claims and preparation of cases for trial in conformance with complex court deadlines and legal requirements.

This is a great opportunity to work in a fast-paced environment with a team of dedicated legal professionals. Click here to learn more about the City Attorney's Office.

Essential Functions

The major responsibilities of this position are listed below. For more detailed information, please review the job description.

• Opens and organizes case files for matters of varying volume and complexity.
• Interviews attorneys and witnesses.
• Assists attorneys in written discovery and depositions in civil litigation.
• Conducts legal research and prepares written legal analysis on litigation claims, lawsuits and transactional matters as requested by attorneys.
• Drafts legal documents for attorney review.
• Assembles and prepares trial notebooks and exhibits; attends pre-trial conferences and participates in trial exhibit management discussions; prepares exhibit lists and witness statements; researches and drafts jury instructions.
• Drafts legal documents related to Pitchess motions.
• Represents the City in small claims trials.
• Monitors bankruptcy matters where City is creditor.
• Assists attorneys in researching and drafting ordinances, resolutions and contracts; assists attorneys in preparing administrative records in environmental, land use, employment, public record, and other writ proceedings.

Qualification Guidelines

CORE COMPETENCIES

The following list represents the core competencies needed for success in this position.

• Attention to Detail - Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products.
• Self-Management - Showing personal organization, self-discipline, and dependability.
• Informing - Proactively obtaining and sharing information.
• Writing - Communicating effectively in writing.
• Involving Others - Engaging others for input, contribution, and shared responsibility for outcomes.
• Fact Finding - Obtaining facts and data pertaining to an issue or question.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding and using written information.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Possession of the minimum education, experience, and/or certifications required to qualify as a Paralegal as required by Business & Professions Code Section 6450(c) and either at least three years of progressively responsible experience as a Paralegal preferably in a municipal law office or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

SELECTION PROCESS

The selection process may consist of a training and experience evaluation, written exam, interview panel and/or department level interviews.

VACANCY INFORMATION

There is currently one vacancy in the Civil Division of the City Attorney's Office. The resulting eligibility list from this recruitment may be used to fill this vacancy and similar vacancies in the future.

Candidates selected for this position are subject to a one year probationary work period.

Special Requirements

Must possess a valid California Class C driver's license and comply with the City's Motor Vehicle Safety Policy during the course of employment.

Must meet bi-annual mandatory continuing legal education requirements outlined Business & Professions Code Section 6450(d), both at time of appointment and for continued employment.

Effective January 1, 2013, new members to CalPERS or an agency with CALPERS' reciprocity or who have more than a six month break in service between employment in a CalPER (or reciprocal) agency will be subject to the provisions of the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) and will receive the 2% @ 62 benefit formula.

Employees who are current members of CalPERS or an agency with CalPERS' reciprocity, or who have less than a six month break in service between employment in a CalPERS (or reciprocal) agency and employment with the City will be enrolled in the 2.5% @ 55 benefit formula.

All employees are required to pay the full employee contribution to CalPERS.

Click link below to review the City's excellent benefits package https://ww5.cityofpasadena.net/human-resources/employee-benefits/