Legal Assistant, Tribal Law

Status: Non-Exempt, Salaried

The Legal Assistant will provide administrative and outreach support for the Tribal Law Attorney and the Tribal Law Practice Group (TLPG). This legal assistant position provides pro se assistance to clients and coordinates communication between the applicants, clients, intake specialists, and the Tribal Law Attorney regarding case status.

Specific Duties

• Coordinate communication among the applicants, clients, intake specialists, and Tribal Law Attorney regarding case status.

• Communicate with applicants and clients to obtain more information as needed in a timely manner.
• Perform conflict screening, assist applicants with forms, and coordinate with intake staff in the gathering of relevant information.
• Conduct outreach and education regarding Indian Wills and estate planning, coordinate Wills clinics.
• Assist clients in gathering the documentation and information needed in order to draft wills and other estate planning documents.
• Assist in organizing outreach and circuits on Indian Reservations.
• Provide overall support to the Tribal Law Supervising Attorney.
• Draft correspondence and simple pleadings or use appropriate MLSA forms.
• Calendar case-related dates and events in the system.
• Assist with case file management including organizing and maintaining electronic and paper files.
• Manage TLPG cases, consistently review Awaiting Callback list and Monthly Native American Intakes reports.

• May be asked to assist with answering incoming HelpLine calls, general applications, and front desk coverage from time to time.

• Other duties as assigned by the Tribal Law Attorney or Director of Advocacy.

Additional Duties as Appropriate

• Draft final wills and other estate planning documents; provide basic estate planning advice and information to clients.
• Coordinate TLPG’s statewide outreach efforts including designing, preparing, and providing outreach materials to courts and service providers; draft monthly update emails to TLPG partners and maintain mailing list; conduct outreach and scheduling related to TLPG travel schedule.
• Assist with grant reporting and contract management for TLPG specific funding.
• Facilitate and track tribal bar admissions for all MLSA staff members.

Required Skills & Attributes

• Commitment to providing high quality legal assistance to low-to-moderate income Montanans.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to work with diverse, low-income clients.
• Ability to travel, occasionally overnight if needed.
• Ability and willingness to work cooperatively and collegially within a decentralized statewide law firm.
• Proficient at the use of technology, including, but not limited to, word processing, spreadsheets, internet-based programs, and computer-based legal research.
• Willingness to learn and further develop technology skills and abilities.

Preferred Skills & Attributes

• Associate’s degree or paralegal training.
• Prior legal experience and a demonstrated commitment to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion through volunteer activities and internships is valued.
• An understanding of the civil equal justice legal needs of low-income people, including the unique needs of populations that experience particular barriers to access to justice systems, and of effective approaches and methods for addressing those needs.
• Experience working collaboratively and empathetically with diverse groups of colleagues, firm partners, and clients who have varying cultural backgrounds, perspectives, experience, and expertise.

MLSA is an equal opportunity employer and we consider the diversity of our staff to be vital to our organization's success. We strongly encourage and welcome people of all cultures, races, educational backgrounds, life experiences, socio-economic classes, sexual orientations, ages, genders, and physical abilities to apply.

Salary : $38,000 - $46,000