City of San José
LEGAL SERVICES MANAGER (2124)
LEGAL SERVICES MANAGER (U) (8012)
CLASS PURPOSE
Under the general direction of Senior Management, the incumbent performs
supervisory and administrative work of considerable difficulty in the management
of legal support staff and services. An incumbent in this class coordinates the
paraprofessional, investigative, clerical and computer assignments of the
department and supervise all personnel within the classes of Legal Analyst,
Legal Administrative Assistant, Computer Network Engineer, Computer Network
Technician and Office Specialist, as well as contractual services in support of
attorneys. Performs related work as required.
TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESULTS (Any one position may not include all the duties
listed, nor do the examples cover all the duties which may be performed.)
- Participates in the preparation of department budget including the preparation
of fiscal analysis of special operating proposals and cost/benefit analysis
surveys.
- Reviews, analyzes and assigns for investigation claims filed against the City
and Redevelopment Agency; determines compliance with Government Code; evaluates
liability exposure, sets initial monetary reserves, supervises claim settlement
negotiations, and prepares statistical reports for claims and litigation
analysis.
- Assigns and directs the investigation of workers’ compensation claims against
the City of San Jose, including both fact finding and fraud investigations.
Determines the extent of investigation, including sub rosa investigation.
- Assigns and coordinates paraprofessional support for transactional services.
- Assigns and directs paraprofessional support for litigation services in the
preparation of civil discovery, various pleadings, administrative records,
deposition and medical summaries, and legal research.
- Oversees and coordinates paraprofessional support for workers’ compensation
litigation.
- Supervises clerical and computer support staff.
- Participates in the testing, interviewing and hiring of legal support staff
including clerical, analyst, computer and office specialist staff.
- Conducts employee performance evaluations for the clerical, analyst, computer
and office specialist staff.
- Participates in the drafting of complex legal research and discovery.
- Oversees and coordinates courier, process, deposition, and legal copy
services.
- Coordinates employee participation in City training courses and in-house
training programs.
- Develops, implements and coordinates ergonomic, safety, and emergency
programs.
- Participates in the review, implementation and analysis of computer software
programs.
- Coordinates telecommunications and voice mail services.
Typical End Results Include
Provide efficient administrative and legal support to the City Attorney's
Office; establish and enforce departmental policies and procedures; generate
complex records, reports, analyses and studies; hire highly qualified and
motivated support staff; improve departmental effectiveness by directing
activities of support staff; in-depth legal research and drafting of various
legal documents; investigation and negotiation of claims; departmental legal
services assistance; well prepared cases for trial.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Incumbents in this class provide over-all direction and management of the
investigative, paraprofessional, clerical and computer functions including
supervision of the legal support staff. Coordinates assignments delegated to
police officers assigned to the City Attorneys Office and contractual services
in support of attorneys. Incumbents in this class coordinate and perform the
most complex and difficult work in claims investigation and settlements,
litigation, research, analysis, and the preparation of cases for trial. This
class reports to Senior Management.
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of organization,
management, personnel administration and supervision.
- Thorough knowledge of civil litigation practice, civil and criminal court
rules and procedures.
- Thorough knowledge of liability insurance and investigations.
- Thorough knowledge of workers’ compensation practice and procedures including
methods and techniques for investigating workers’ compensation claims including
both fact finding and fraud investigations.
- Thorough knowledge of the City’s and Redevelopment Agency’s organizational
structure and functions as well as its departments, programs, and services for
obtaining information, materials and documentation.
- Thorough knowledge of the policies, procedures and role of the Office of the
City Attorney and General Counsel.
- Knowledge of governmental budgeting and accounting systems.
- Ability to supervise, direct and evaluate a large number of employees.
- Ability to perform investigations and complex legal research and effectively
draft pleadings, reports and other legal documents.
- Ability to review and approve expenditure documents, purchase requisitions and
personnel requisitions.
- Ability to use and evaluate law office computer software packages.
- Ability to collect, develop, analyze and interpret complex data.
- Ability to prepare and present fiscal analyses of project proposals.
- Ability to work well with all levels of employees, management, and the public.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Competency Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Thorough knowledge of the California Tort Claims Act, Code of Civil Procedure,
Penal Code, Vehicle Code, City Municipal Code and City Charter.
- Thorough knowledge of City and Agency policies, services, programs, projects,
and potential liabilities.
- Thorough knowledge of the departments accounting, budget and personnel
systems.
- Ability to supervise, train and evaluate legal support staff.
- Ability to coordinate reports and analysis for departmental management.
- Ability to draft complex research memoranda, reports, pleadings, discovery,
resolutions, contracts, amendments, bids, deeds and other legal documents.
- Ability to develop and effectively present solutions to organizational issues.
- Ability to develop investigations as well as negotiate and settle claims.
- Ability to assist trial attorneys and to prepare trial exhibits.
Education
Successful completion of a Baccalaureate Degree from an accredited college or
university.
Experience
Ten years of increasingly responsible legal support and/or administrative work
experience. Supervisory experience preferred.
Acceptable Substitutions
Possession of a Paralegal certificate may be substituted for one year of the
education or experience requirement.
Licenses/Certificates
Possession of a valid California Driver's License.
(Formerly Legal Support Supervisor); (3/17/89), (Rev. & Ret. 1/91), (Rev. & Ret.
2/93), (U Added 6/97), (1/15/98).