Legal Administrative Assistant

SMRLS is seeking to fill a Legal Secretary position in its Mankato office. This is a full-time position to support three attorneys and one paralegal, among other duties.

The SMRLS Southwest Region has offices in Mankato and Worthington to assist low income persons in the 17 counties of southern Minnesota west of Interstate 35 to the South Dakota border. There are currently 10 attorney positions in the two offices, including two attorneys working on its Intake Hotline, along with 8 non-attorney staff.

SMRLS is a non-profit law firm that receives federal, state, local public, and private funding to provide free legal help to low-income and elderly people who reside in 33 counties in Southern Minnesota. As Minnesota’s oldest legal aid program (founded in 1909), SMRLS has established a tradition of partnership with the private bar, a bi-partisan Legislature, the Minnesota Supreme Court, and other Minnesota Legal Service Coalition members in providing access to justice. SMRLS has an experienced, dynamic staff of more than 60 attorneys, 40 additional staff and 750 volunteer attorneys who provide legal assistance to over 200,000 eligible people.

SMRLS is a client-centered organization committed to its Mission to provide a full range of high quality legal services, in a respectful manner which enable clients to: enforce their legal rights; maintain freedom from hunger, homelessness, sickness and abuse; empower persons to ensure equal opportunity, thus, helping persons to help themselves and become economically self-reliant, to the extent their individual ability and circumstances permit. SMRLS values, welcomes and promotes diversity in all aspects of its work. SMRLS has adopted Practice Standards and Guiding Principles to accomplish its Mission.

Mankato is located on the Minnesota River, about 90 miles southwest of the Twin Cities and has a state university. It is the regional hub for an estimated 260,000 persons in southern Minnesota.

Responsibilities:

Provide secretarial support for attorneys and paralegals by performing secretarial and clerical functions such as keyboarding and transcribing legal and technical materials, writing court orders, preparing subpoenas, and filing documents in court.

Type and/or transcribe on word processor or typewriter, a variety of legal documents or letters,

memoranda from rough draft, dictation, copy or digital dictation file. Prepare documents

from general instructions or by following standard procedures. Proofread typewritten or word

processed materials to ensure quality. Photocopy and assemble legal documents, compose

routine correspondence, including letters of inquiry and acknowledgment and maintain files of

correspondence and clients. Oversee signing of legal papers by clients and notarize documents

where necessary. Complete any necessary statistical data forms and prepare reports.

May perform duties relating to public contacts, general office services and other miscellaneous

tasks such as photocopying, filing or other secretarial or clerical duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

An Associate Degree in Secretarial Studies or successful completion of a Two-Year Legal Secretary or Secretarial Program at a business school or vocational/technical institute. Completion of one year business school or vo-tech secretarial certificate program and two years of Legal Secretary experience with satisfactory evaluations may substitute for the two-year educational requirement. Three years of Legal Secretary experience may substitute for the one-year educational requirement.

Knowledge of spelling and grammar, general office procedures, legal terminology is required.

Ability to use computer software, including word processing, basic spreadsheets, email, and

internet browsers are required. Experience using electronic typewriters, transcription equipment, photocopiers, calculator and telephone equipment are preferred.

Ability to do sustained and accurate typing (60 words per minute) of technical and legal material is required. Ability to set priorities and meet work deadlines, to work independently in the absence of instructions and demonstrated use of discretion in the handling of confidential

information is required. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with

attorneys, other employees and clients is required. Ability to understand written and oral

instructions, to work under pressure, cope with emergencies and meet deadlines is

required. Must be attentive to detail and be able to communicate effectively by phone and in

person.

To Apply:

Please send a cover letter, resume and three references to:

Peter.Hemberger@smrls.org

Applications will be considered until position is filled.

Salary: $46,518 DOE, according to scale. Excellent benefits provided.

SMRLS is committed to diversity in the workplace. Women, people of color, and people with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $46,518.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid sick time
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Salary : $1,000 - $46,518