Legal Analyst

Job Description

Legal Analyst, OGC | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

The Tone:
This is a full-time role at the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Education, located in Harrisburg, PA, with a hybrid telework option allowing up to two days per week from an approved Pennsylvania location. The Commonwealth is a large public service organization committed to serving the citizens of Pennsylvania, and the Department of Education supports and oversees the state’s educational framework. This position is critical for supporting the Office of Chief Counsel’s important legal work, offering an exciting chance to learn core legal skills while directly helping attorneys prepare cases and review sensitive information. Your careful work plays a key part in organizing documents and research, ultimately contributing to the protection of educators, students, and schools across the Commonwealth.

The TL;DR
• Role: Early Career
• Type: Full-time
• Location: Hybrid, Harrisburg, PA

• Team: Supports attorneys within the Office of Chief Counsel, Department of Education.
• Mission: To provide essential legal support by reviewing complaints, conducting research, and managing case information to aid attorneys in protecting the state’s education system.

What You’ll Actually Do
• Complaint Review: Analyze allegations thoroughly, gather relevant facts, and accurately determine whether submitted complaints meet required legal and procedural standards.
• Legal Research: Examine applicable laws, policies, and regulations in detail to provide comprehensive and informed support for all stages of case preparation.
• Case Preparation: Draft necessary legal materials, meticulously organize extensive case files, and provide direct assistance to attorneys with documentation required for hearings and other legal proceedings.
• Information Gathering: Proactively contact schools and courts to obtain essential records and diligently verify case details, ensuring accuracy and completeness of information.
• System Management: Consistently update and maintain internal tracking systems, ensuring all case information is accurate, complete, and efficiently managed for quick access.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Candidates must demonstrate a strong foundation in legal research and analysis through one of the following pathways: five years of legal research and analysis experience, including three years at a professional level, alongside an associate’s degree; or three years of professional experience in legal research and analysis combined with a bachelor’s degree; or possession of a Juris Doctor degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school; or an equivalent combination of education and training that includes at least two years of professional experience in legal research and analysis.
• Experience: This role requires professional experience ranging from two to five years in legal research and analysis, depending on the educational background, with an emphasis on applying these skills in a legal context.
• Skills: Essential skills include precise legal research, critical analytical thinking for evaluating allegations and facts, meticulous organization of legal documents and files, effective information gathering from external sources, and accurate management of data within tracking systems.
• Bonus: Applicants who are within three months of graduating with a qualifying degree, as specified in the minimum requirements, will be considered eligible to apply for this position.