Paralegal

The Office of General Counsel at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University is seeking a full-time Paralegal. 

Job Summary

The Paralegal provides legal and operational support to the Office of General Counsel at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. Reporting to the Downstate Chief Campus Counsel, the Paralegal assists attorneys with contracts and procurement, litigation and claims, legal and factual research, Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) and records matters, investigations, and the administration of legal operations. The position works collaboratively with campus departments and external stakeholders to support the timely and accurate handling of institutional legal matters.

Key Responsibilities & Duties

• Assist attorneys with the review, preparation, and processing of contracts, Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Requests for Information (RFIs), and other procurement-related documents; coordinate with campus stakeholders to facilitate timely processing.

• Coordinate and administer the campus small claims process under attorney direction and assist with notices of violation and governmental or regulatory matters.

• Provide support for litigation, claims, investigations, and administrative proceedings, including fact gathering, document collection and production, witness coordination, and maintenance of legal matter files.

• Assist with coordination among the Office of General Counsel, the New York State Office of the Attorney General, and other counsel on litigation and claims matters.

• Assist in responding to FOIL requests, subpoenas, and other institutional records requests, including coordinating records searches, reviewing and redacting documents under attorney direction, preparing productions, and tracking deadlines.

• Conduct legal and factual research and assist attorneys with drafting correspondence, reports, guidance materials, legal documents, and related materials.

• Maintain legal matter and contract-management systems, including matter tracking, reporting, records management, and document organization.

• Track medical malpractice and other litigation matters, including case status, dispositions, settlements, and other significant developments, in coordination with counsel.

• Develop and update templates, databases, clause libraries, spreadsheets, and other tools to support consistent and efficient legal operations.

• Assist with special projects, document review and redaction, and training or support of legal staff as directed.

• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree.

• 3+ years of relevant paralegal or comparable legal experience in a law firm, government agency, in-house legal department, or similar environment.

• Strong written and oral communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to manage multiple matters and priorities, exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and recognize issues requiring attorney attention.

• Strong attention to detail and ability to collaborate effectively with attorneys, administrators, and internal and external stakeholders.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat, with the ability to learn and use legal research, matter-management, document-management, and other legal technology systems.

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• Or, a satisfactory equivalent combination of experience, education and training. 

   

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education, healthcare, government, or another complex institutional environment.

• Experience supporting litigation, claims, investigations, or work involving government counsel, including the New York State Office of the Attorney General.

• Experience with contracts, procurement, or business transactions, including familiarity with New York State procurement and contracting processes.

• Experience managing substantial volumes of legal records, documents, and matters.

• Paralegal certificate or degree.

• New York State Notary Public commission, or willingness to obtain one within one year of hire.