Legal Assistant

We recognize our competitive advantage -- our people. We believe in our people, who share our vision of meeting the needs of our employees, customers, and communities and who carry out the continued success of the company.

Our employees are committed to the company's foundational values: integrity, excellence, teamwork, environmental stewardship, and community commitment. In turn, we invest in our employees, providing opportunities for challenge and advancement and offering a competitive compensation package.

BRIEF POSTING DESCRIPTION:

The P NC LEGAL Department of the P LEGAL Division at Hawaiian Electric Company has 1 Management vacancy available. (Role: Non-Exempt)

JOB FUNCTION:

Provides legal assistance to the General Counsel, Director of Legal, Sr. Associate General Counsels and Associate General Counsels and departments within Hawaiian Electric Company and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• With respect to non-litigation matters, drafts legal and non-legal documents and correspondence; performs legal research, evaluation and analysis of facts and issues; prepares reports and memoranda incorporating findings and recommendations. Collects information, works with databases, and develops, implements, and maintains efficient office systems (including developing and implementing efficient processes and procedures for handling executed contracts, records, files, litigation cases), forms and procedures, with minimal oversight from supervisor. Conducts training on internal database(s) and/or office systems for staff members. Legal Assistant is the subject matter expert (SME) for internal databases.
• Uses independent judgment and discretion to coordinate, monitor, analyze, prepare reports, and provide document control, analysis and recommendation, for all Company Legal Due Diligence with minimal oversight from supervisor.  Proactively manages the Legal Due Diligence process to meet deadlines for SOX certifications. 
•  Under attorney supervision, assists in with all aspects of prosecution and defense of major litigation including but not limited to, pre-trial litigation process and documentation, filing of a complaint/demand, preparing responses to pleadings and motions, discovery, summary judgment, mediation, witness preparation, trial and post-judgment process including appeal.  Assists claims adjusters (Claims Dept.) with handling of claims in Small Claims Court.
• Responds to subpoenas, summons, income assignments garnishments, levies, and other requests for Company information by contacting clients, opposing counsel, agencies, or other interested parties to obtain, coordinate and disseminate necessary information and documentation in an efficient and timely manner. 
• Assists in large projects such as financing, sales, purchases or creation of businesses, real estate transactions, construction and other large capital projects by preparing, reviewing, analyzing and organizing documents, obtaining necessary certificates and government records, making required filings, manages the flow of information among various parties, preparing closing documents, memoranda and closing binders and following up on miscellaneous legal matters.
• Supports and undertakes special assignments as directed by the Supervising Legal Assistant or Director of Legal, such as participating on a task force, emergency response team, conducting internal investigations (including interviewing witnesses, preparing information requests, analyzing, and reviewing and organizing data) and preparing recommendations and reports.
• Obtains and updates relevant statutes, ordinances, resolutions, regulations and standards from government and private agencies and publications. Answers inquiries (or routes to the appropriate staff member) questions from customers, internal clients, and staff members. Processes legal hold and legal directive notices. Coordinates with Information Assurance and Information Technology departments on legal hold matters.
• Participates in Company and Legal Department emergency response activities as assigned, including any activities required to prepare for such emergency response.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge Requirements

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (including Outlook, Word, Excel and Powerpoint), SAP Ariba, mainframe systems, related software applications, and databases, including Sharepoint and Counsellink software programs, etc.
• Thorough understanding of the rules of civil procedures and processes applicable to Hawaiʻi state and federal courts.
• Working knowledge of litigation lifecycle, including prelitigation negotiations, filing of a complaint/demand, post-filing discovery, summary judgment, mediation, trial, and post-judgment process including appeal.
• Working knowledge of legal collections process, including but not limited to, judgment enforcement, judgment liens, debtor examination, wage garnishment, and bank attachment.
• Working knowledge of state and federal laws pertaining to wage garnishment and assignment of wages.

Skills Requirements

• Strong analytical, conceptual, organizational, and administrative skills to assess the demands of the job and ensure timely, accurate and efficient completion of tasks and work assignments.
• Ability to create project plans with clear goals, deadlines and to effectively use resources, recommend proper actions, and demonstrate the ability to handle multiple complex systems, projects, and programs with minimal supervision.
• Ability to handle details without losing sight of broad goals.
• Ability to handle confidential, difficult and/or sensitive issues using tact, courtesy and discretion in dealing with a wide range of people.
• Excellent written, oral, and listening communication skills.
• Ability to produce high quality work independently while remaining flexible in a demanding work environment and adapting to rapidly changing priorities.
• Exhibits good judgment, common sense, and a high degree of professionalism in asserting self and following through on projects.
• Ability to digest, understand, retrieve, and organize large amounts of information and documentation on a wide range of subjects, to pick up on technical things quickly and to learn new skills and knowledge.

Experience Requirements

• Legal Assistant or Paralegal certificate or degree with a minimum of 1 year of experience in that role, OR
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in a legal support role in a private law firm, in-house legal department or with a government entity.

Role: Non-Exempt 

Number of Vacancies: 1 

Location: Honolulu – Oahu

Hiring Range: The hiring range for the Legal Assistant [Req ID 9361] position is $63,400.00 to $67,400.00 The person selected will be placed according to his/her skills and qualifications. 

About Hawaiian Electric Companies
Hawaiian Electric Companies provide electricity and services to 95 percent of the state's 1.4 million residents. The company is also one of the state's leading employers and a major contributor and supporter of community and educational programs.

The demand for power that has fueled the growth of the Hawaiian Islands has been met by Hawaiian Electric Companies for well over a century. And as the next millennium unfolds, the company is committed to providing quality service and seeking clean local energy sources to power generations of Hawaii families and businesses to come. Visit us at http://hawaiianelectric.com.

Interested individuals should apply online. The application must clearly indicate the demonstrated experience/knowledge/skills/abilities the candidate possesses which specifically qualifies him/her for the position.

Applicant Certification
By submitting an application for the position, candidates:
1. Authorize the Hawaiian Electric Companies to confirm all statements contained in the application and/or any materials submitted and made a part of the application as they relate to the position and to the extent permitted by law;
2. Authorize and consent to, without reservation, the Hawaiian Electric Companies sharing any and all information regarding previous or present employment, educational training or personal information from their records and from any other source with the hiring department or subsidiary company;
3. Release, discharge, and hold harmless, Hawaiian Electric Companies, from any and all liability for any damage which may be claimed as a result of furnishing such information to the hiring department or subsidiary company;
4. Authorizes release and transfer of all personnel records to be maintained by the hiring company in the event of an inter-company transfer; and
5. Authorize, direct, and consent to Hawaiian Electric Companies and/or its authorized agents to conduct investigations into candidates' background. These investigations may include, but are not limited to searches for information about applicants; record of criminal convictions to the extent permitted by law, education records, professional certifications, personal character references, and employment history.

EEO Statement
Hawaiian Electric Companies is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. We actively seek diversity among our employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex/gender (including gender identity/expression), ancestry/national origin, disability, marital status, arrest and court record, sexual orientation, pregnancy, veteran status, genetic information, domestic or sexual violence victim status, or other protected categories in accordance with state and federal laws. We further encourage individuals with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply.

Hawaiian Electric Companies complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Any request for reasonable accommodation needed during the application process should be communicated by the candidate to the HR Service Center at (808) 543-4848.

Affiliate Disclaimer
Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc., Maui Electric Company, and Hawaii Electric Light (“Company”) are Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (“PUC”) regulated companies. The disclosure relating to Affiliate Transaction Requirements that follows is made pursuant to the PUC’s Decision and Order No. 35962, issued on December 19, 2018, and subsequently modified by Order No. 36112, issued on January 24, 2019 in Docket No. 2018-0065.

By submitting your application, you understand and acknowledge that, if you are hired by the Company and subsequently transferred, assigned or otherwise employed by an Affiliate, said Affiliate will be required to make a one-time payment to the Company in an amount up to twenty-five percent (25%) of your base annual compensation.  

In addition, if you are hired by the Company and subsequently transferred, assigned or otherwise employed by an Affiliate or an Affiliate-Related Entity, for a period of one year, you cannot appear in negotiations or otherwise interact directly with the Company or work on the same matter that you worked on while with the Company. 

Affiliate is defined as “any person or entity that possesses an ‘affiliate interest’ in a utility as defined by section 269-19.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes (“HRS”), including a utility’s parent holding company, except as otherwise provided by HRS section 269-19.5(h).”

Affiliate-Related Entity is defined as “a third party that provides electricity-related services in a regulated utility’s service territory that has a material financial, operational, or ownership interest with an unregulated affiliate of the utility and of whom the utility has reasonable knowledge.” 

For a current list of all Affiliates and Affiliate-Related Entities, please see:
https://www.hawaiianelectric.com/about-us/key-performance-metrics/financial/affiliate-transactions

This list may be amended, updated or revised from time to time without notice.