Paralegal - Legal Program Services Manager

Legal Secretary Of State, Georgia - SOS

Position Summary: Under the supervision of the General Counsel, provides administrative, litigation, and research support for the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission ("GMCC"). GMCC is the State of Georgia's executive branch agency responsible for the regulation and licensing of limited, in-state cultivation, production, manufacturing, and sale of low-THC oil through retail dispensing to registered patients on the state's Low-THC Oil Registry.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities:

• Conduct legal research, including analyzing rules, regulations, case law, and statutory law.
• Assist in drafting, editing, and reviewing legal documents, briefs, and correspondence for internal and external communications.
• Research, review, and draft legal documents for requests for public records, hearings, inspections, investigations, meetings, and litigation.
• Create and monitor a legal case filing system including the tracking of deadlines and statuses of various cases, hearings, meetings, and litigation.
• Assist in searching, retrieving, and reviewing information responsive to requests made under the Georgia Open Records Act ("GORA").
• Assist in the coordination of GMCC meetings with Commission members, staff, and the Attorney General's office (e.g. prepare notices, agendas, summaries, and minutes).
• Maintain current knowledge of relevant legal trends, issues, rules, regulations, and laws related to medical cannabis.
• Attend meetings with staff, commission, and stakeholders as deemed necessary by general counsel.
• Ensure compliance with the Georgia Open Meetings Act, Georgia Open Records Act, and the laws related to GAMCC.
• Create and maintain legal research/library resources.
• Assists in the coordination of administrative hearings.
• Create and maintain legal files and records.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities:

• Ability to produce legal memorandum, reports, briefs, and other legal work products with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in verbally, and in writing, with a variety of internal and external parties.
• Ability to coordinate and prioritize multiple unique projects, including working with other divisions with shared responsibilities.
• Excellent computer skills, including, but not limited to, office suite software (Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, etc.), LexisNexis or Lexis Advance, and internet-based research tools.
• Excellent research skills in various areas of state and federal laws.

Minimum Qualifications:

• At least six years of related experience, three years of which must be in a legal support role OR Bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited college or university AND two years of related experience in the area of assignment OR Master's degree in a related field from an accredited college or university one year of related experience in the area of assignment
• If you are applying for this position based on college degree as a qualification, please submit a certified copy of your college transcript with your application. If a certified copy is not submitted, a certified copy may be required as a contingency of employment. This will help determine if you meet the qualifications for this position based on education. Failure to submit a transcript may result in not being eligible for this specific position if qualifying based on education.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Preference will be given to applicants who, in addition to meeting the minimum qualifications, possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed above and in the following areas:
• Successful completion of a paralegal studies certificate program.
• Legal or regulatory compliance experience in a local or state government setting.
• Experience researching and tracking state laws, rules, regulations, and legislative bills.
• Experience working with a government entity in promulgating rules.
• Experience working directly with a senior attorney, general counsel, or director of legal affairs.
• Experience working with or handling confidential information, such as trade secrets, patient information, and other information deemed confidential by state or federal law.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Working knowledge of computer operating systems and applications.

Additional Information:

• This position is based in Atlanta, Georgia.
• Requires the ability to work virtually and in-office.
• May require the ability to work in the field infrequently (in-state).
• May require infrequent in-state travel including overnight travel (up to 10%).
• May require driving a state and/or personal vehicle.
• Random employee drug screening required.