GOT-IT

Legal Assnt 2

Grade 17

New York State has approximately 214 positions* in this title statewide. You may view a breakdown of positions by county. This position exists in various agencies statewide. View links to all New York State agencies including agencies that have this title. For more information, New York State employees can contact the Career Mobility Office at (518) 485-6199 or (800) 553-1322. If you are not a current New York State employee, you can use the Department of Civil Service Web site to explore possible employment opportunities.

*The number of positions is approximate and represents the number of positions established (both filled and vacant); it is not an indication or reference to position type or duration, or intent to be filled. If you are viewing a trainee title, please note this number reflects the number of positions established at the journey level. Agencies may fill at the trainee level(s) or at the journey level based on employee qualifications. GOT-IT does not provide information on any job postings or job availability. For information on current job postings, please visit State Jobs NY. You may also visit specific New York State Agency websites for information about an agency and its job opportunities.

Career Ladder

A listing of titles that are most commonly used as steps for upward mobility for this title series. The salary schedule for this career ladder is also available.

  1. Legal Assnt Trainee 1

    Similar to Grade 11

  2. Legal Assnt Trainee 2

    Similar to Grade 13

  3. Legal Assnt 1

    Grade 14

  4. Legal Assnt 2

    Grade 17

Summary of Job Description

As a Legal Assistant 2, under the general direction of staff attorneys in various areas of law, you would be responsible for compiling and organizing documentation; preparing and assisting in the preparation of legal documents and forms; ensuring court documents, including judgments, are properly and timely filed; logging information; and preparing correspondence and subpoenas. You would respond to inquiries and complaints, track cases, maintain calendars, and ensure deadlines are met; you would conduct research into complex legal matters, analyze materials, and present both verbal and written comments on your findings. You might prepare and maintain files, cases, and calendars, interview witnesses and clients, respond to inquiries and complaints, record and monitor the status of legislation, conduct research into complex legal matters, analyze materials, and present both verbal and written comments on your findings, and gather and create materials and summaries of legislation and current legal developments pertinent to the agency. The use of computer software and the Internet is integral to these positions and may be used in any of the following areas: preparing documents, creating or updating databases or spreadsheets, tracking and researching assignments or litigation, and communicating. You might supervise paraprofessional or clerical staff. You might take depositions and summarize trial transcripts, review discovery demands and serve or arrange service of subpoenas. You might calculate monies owed to the State and determine responsible parties. This position requires the ability to work independently and is characterized by increased responsibility and greater freedom of judgment than is typical of a Legal Assistant 1.

View the classification standard for this title, on the Classification and Compensation webpage.

The NYS Title and Salary Plan provides additional information regarding other titles. If there is a classification standard available there will be a link under the column labeled STD. NO. If no link is available there is no classification standard available at this time for that title.

Summary of Minimum Qualifications

Please note: qualifications for this position may be subject to change. If substitutions for education and/or experience are allowed, this information would be available on the announcement.

You must take and pass a Civil Service examination in order to be considered for this position.  

There are two examinations for this position. Please note: New York State employees may qualify for both.

For employees of New York State, on or before the date of examination, you must be a qualified employee of New York State and have had three months of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service as a Legal Assistant 1, Legal Assistant Trainee 2, or Legal Assistant Trainee 1. - Only the title or titles listed are qualifying.

For all other qualified individuals, on or before the date of examination, you must have:

Either 1: a bachelor's degree (or higher) in a paralegal/legal assistant program from a regionally accredited college or university, or college or university accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) or one approved by the American Bar Association (ABA); AND one year of subsequent full-time experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant (see “definition" below);

Or 2: an associate's degree (or higher) in a paralegal/legal assistant program OR a certificate in a paralegal/legal assistant program where either the degree or certificate was granted from a regionally accredited college or university accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) or one approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) AND two years of subsequent full-time experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant (see “definition" below).

Definition: For the purposes of this examination, a Paralegal/Legal Assistant is someone who applies knowledge of the law and legal procedures in rendering direct assistance to lawyers, clients, and courts; prepares and interprets legal documents and forms; researches, compiles and uses information from legal materials to provide both written and verbal comments on their findings; and analyzes and handles routine procedural problems independently with minimal attorney oversight.

Substitution: Graduation from an accredited (ABA approved) law school with a degree required by New York State Bar admittance will be accepted as meeting the educational requirements for either examination.

Non-qualifying degrees: Non-qualifying degrees include but are not limited to degrees in Criminal Justice, Legal Studies, Liberal Arts, Political Science, Business Administration and Business Management.

Non-qualifying experience: Non-qualifying experience includes but is not limited to experience which is limited solely to general clerical or secretarial duties performed in a law office.

Important: Non-degree certificates of completion or diplomas awarded by a training institution or company not regionally accredited or accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) or approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) are not qualifying.

For informational purposes only, click on the examination number(s) listed below to see the current or previous examination(s) that are used to fill this title.

26-785 38-609

How to Apply

When this examination is scheduled to be held, the announcement can be found on the Department of Civil Service, Examination Announcements web page. If you do not see an examination currently scheduled please check back on a monthly basis or sign up for announcement notification by email so that you will automatically be notified when new examinations are being offered.

Career Mobility

Career mobility is not just limited to the titles in the Career Ladder, above. Additional movement may be achieved through other examinations, additional education and/or work experience or transfer opportunities. For additional information or clarification of transfer determinations, current State employees should contact the Career Mobility Office. Visit ELMS Online to view established open-competitive, promotion, and transition eligible lists. If you are not a current New York State employee, see Employment Opportunities with New York State and find out how to become a New York State employee.

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