What are the responsibilities and job description for the Legal Assistant position at Hall County Public Defender Office?
NATURE OF WORK
Under general supervision of Office Manager and Public Defender. Performs specialized secretarial duties for assigned attorneys, including preparing legal documents and correspondence, calendaring, maintaining records and providing assistance with routine problems and public inquiries which are not of a legal nature.
EXAMPLES OF WORK
Maintains current knowledge of assigned caseload and status of cases; provide general information to the public, acts as a liaison between legal professionals and other legal staff throughout the longevity of a case assignment; determine what information may be provided and which requests must be referred to professional legal staff.
Format, prepare and type legal documents and correspondence in final format according to court procedure requirements and attorney instructions. Creating rough drafts for attorney review and approval; edit, merge and organize electronic documents; create template libraries on legal software; proofread and review for proper citation format; prepare and attach exhibits for trial prep; create special sections such as indexes, table of contents, authorities, and brief covers pursuant to Supreme Court Rules.
Arrange Bond Reviews and accurately record the events in the legal software.
Required to obtain and notarize signatures on legal documents.
Provide clerical support to assigned Attorneys; receive and screen visitors and telephone calls; respond to inquiries on a variety of matters such as the status of cases; open, review and document incoming mail and determine priority of article when routing; maintains attorney calendar, schedule appointments, due dates of documents prior to hearing, court appearances, conferences, meetings and Depositions.
Creates and maintains attorney case paper and digital files, ability to attached and record digital information accurately into legal software. Follow opening new file protocols ensuring all pleadings are filed timely. Maintain legal correspondence filing and cross filing systems as necessary; record case inventory information in order to maintain accurate records and provide for efficient retrieval of information; prepare files for archiving and storage in compliance with established retention schedules.
Perform detailed criminal background reports using the approved software
Searches computerized and hard copy files and records.
Operates office equipment and machines.
Assists as needed with coverage and duties. Identify workflow problems and prioritize day to day workload and communicate with Office Manager of any unresolved issues.
Performs related work as assigned.
DESIRABLE KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS
Working knowledge of:
Legal practices and procedures for various court and judicial districts; legal terminology; clerical requirements for preparing and typing a variety of complex legal documents, forms, and other related materials; procedures and processing and filing documents with courts in proper legal format and legal office procedures.
Ability to:
Work independently and follow through on assignments; interpret and apply complex rules, regulations, policies and procedures to specific problems and issues; receive inquiries and resolve complaints from staff and clientele; establish, organize and maintain complex filing systems including indexed and cross-reference materials; research information from a variety of departmental and available sources; compile and update information related to specific management activities; prepare appeals briefs complex in nature which requires a comprehensive knowledge of legal procedures and terminology.
Ability to get along well with others.
English language proficiency.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Graduation from senior high school or equivalent education and three years of clerical experience, two of which performing progressively responsible legal secretarial work capacity; OR one year of experience as a Secretary I, with some experience performing legal clerical and secretarial duties or any equivalent combination thereof.
DESIREABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
Ability to speak and read bi-lingual language (Spanish)
SPECIAL NECESSARY REQUIREMENT
Qualified to become a notary public.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $19.19 - $21.60 per hour
Expected hours: 40 per week
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Monday to Friday
- No weekends
Work Location: In person
Salary : $19 - $22