PARALEGAL

Job Summary

This position performs complex detailed legal and administrative tasks to assist the attorneys in the legal department’s mission to serve as the initial and primary provider of legal services to the System. The position requires high attention to detail, careful judgment and discretion, and strict confidence in the handling of assigned tasks. While the position performs many tasks independently, thoughtful collaboration with the attorneys is expected.

Essential Functions

• Prepare departmental documents for routine and special projects.
• Communicate in a positive and professional manner on behalf of the department with internal and external parties.
• Perform legal research using Westlaw and other external and internal resources.
• Review Powers of Attorney, guardianship documents, withholding orders, and similar documents as directed by the attorneys.
• Assist with review and processing of Qualified Illinois Domestic Relations Orders (QILDROs) and providing Benefit Information for Divorce statements.
• Assist with benefit overpayment collection matters in coordination with the accounting department.
• Prepare and compile documents and perform research regarding felony forfeitures.
• Maintain familiarity with technical functionality of the public record FOIA portal. Assist internal users and requesters in the use of the FOIA portal. Provide backup assistance to the FOIA officer.
• Coordinate with System counsel, the hearing officer, and the board’s executive assistant to draft and organize documents and to prepare hearing records for presentation to the claims hearing committee of the TRS board of trustees.
• Assist with litigation matters as directed by the attorneys.
• Assist with review of routine investment documentation.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidential information
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure or tight deadlines
• Excellent organizational skills
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism

Minimum Requirements

• 3 years of experience as a paralegal in a law firm or legal office setting
• Paralegal certification or equivalent professional certification
• Bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies at an accredited institution is strongly preferred