Description:

Summary of Position:
The Golden Valley City Attorney's Office is offering a valuable opportunity for a motivated, knowledgeable, and detail-driven Paralegal or Law Clerk to contribute to critical legal functions within a municipal context. This position focuses on document review and legal compliance, with a particular emphasis on assisting with responses to public records requests. It provides direct exposure to the legal frameworks that govern local government operations, offering meaningful experience at the intersection of public law, data privacy, and government transparency.

Designed for law students with an interest in how public institutions manage legal responsibilities, this role provides practical experience in interpreting and applying the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. This position will assist in evaluating records, identifying sensitive information, and redact documents to ensure compliance with all applicable legal protections and confidentiality laws, including but not limited to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA), attorney-client privilege, work product doctrine, and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) where applicable.

As a Legal Clerk you will also collaborate closely with the City Attorney and legal staff, gaining firsthand experience in how legal strategy is shaped in local government. This position offers an exceptional opportunity to develop skills in legal analysis, risk management, and regulatory compliance.

This position will be open until filled, priority candidate consideration is based on the following application dates:

First Round of Candidate Consideration: 07/09/2025
Second Round of Candidate Consideration: 07/16/2025
Third Round of Candidate Consideration: 07/23/2025
Fourth Round of Candidate Consideration: 07/30/2025
Fifth Round of Candidate Consideration: 08/06/2025
Sixth Round of Candidate Consideration: 08/13/2025
Seventh Round of Candidate Consideration: 08/20/2025
Eighth Round of Candidate Consideration: 08/27/2025

Expected Hours of Work
This position requires a 12-month commitment, with hours ranging from 25 to 40 hours per week. Hours are typically Monday-Friday from 8 am to 4:30 pm.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform these essential functions:

Conduct thorough review of documents and communications responsive to public records requests under the MGDPA.
Identify and redact or withhold data protected under:

MGDPA classifications (public, private, confidential, nonpublic, and protected nonpublic data).
Attorney-client privilege and attorney work product.
HIPAA and other relevant federal or state confidentiality laws.
Other applicable laws, rule, regulations, and policies

Assist City Attorney with legal research and application of statutory exceptions to disclosure.
Maintain detailed records of redactions and legal justifications for withholdings.
Coordinate with internal departments to gather, clarify, and prepare responsive materials.
Prepare privilege logs or data classification indexes as required.
Ensure timely and compliant responses to requests.
Stay current on developments in data privacy law, MGDPA, and related regulations.
Perform other legal or administrative tasks as assigned.

Other Duties:
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Supervisory Responsibility:
This position does not have employee supervisory responsibilities.

Minimum and Desired Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Completion of at least 3 semesters of law school at an ABA accredited law school, or Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Legal Studies or Paralegal Studies.
Strong analytical and organizational skills.
Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage large volumes of documents.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and document management tools.
Ability to work independently and manage time effectively under deadlines.
Strong attention to detail, accuracy, prioritization and time management.
Ability to work with sensitive materials and keep information confidential.
Ability to complete the essential duties and responsibilities of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Desired Qualifications:

Completion of an ABA-approved paralegal program or equivalent experience preferred.
2+ years of experience in a legal, compliance, or public records review environment.
Experience working in a government or public sector legal office.
Experience with e-discovery platforms or public records request software.
Knowledge of administrative law or open records compliance best practices.
Familiarity with:

Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA).
Federal and state confidentiality laws (including HIPAA).
Attorney-client privilege and work product doctrine.

Knowledge of legal research methods and techniques as well as public record maintenance principles.

Competencies:
Communication:

Customer Focus
Teamwork
Positive Attitude
Hard Work
Equity & Inclusion
Decision-Making
Ethical
Leadership
Organized
Problem Solving
Innovation

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

Work Environment & Physical Demands:
Work is conducted primarily indoors. Employees in this position are generally free from work hazards.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to:

Regularly read and interpret documents and other written material.
Regularly communicate and exchange information with others in person, over the telephone, and using written communication methods.
Frequently remain in a stationary position and regularly move within the building to attend meetings and access files and office machinery.
Occasionally travel locally to meetings or events.
Regularly operate computers and other office equipment, such as a copy machine, printer, and telephone, as well as equipment/tools consistently found in office environment.
Occasionally move or transport items weighing up to 25 pounds

EEO Statement:
The City of Golden Valley is an Equal Opportunity Employer in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. It will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.