What are the responsibilities and job description for the Legal Assistant II position at WSSC Water?
The Legal Assistant II performs a variety of complex legal administrative work in support of Associate Counsel I and/or Associate Counsel II.
Essential Functions
- Takes notes (either verbatim or in the form of minutes) for legal meetings
- Prepares attorney for meetings by compiling, reviewing, and organizing necessary documents
- Schedules meetings, witness preparation meetings, depositions, and administrative hearings
- Communicates with internal and external clients, attorneys, and the various courts and administrative agencies
- Maintains attorney’s calendar, including tickler system for follow-up on various matters
- Monitors and provides updates on the status of pending litigation
- Under the general supervision of an attorney, drafts and prepares a variety of legal correspondence and documents
- Under the general supervision of an attorney, prepare drafts, proofreads, formats, and electronically files a variety of pleadings, with Maryland State Courts, Federal Courts, Appellate Courts, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Office of Administrative Hearings, Maryland Commission on Civil Rights, the Maryland Public Service Commission, and other courts as deemed necessary
- Assists attorney in gathering and organizing discovery requests which may include indexing and bates numbering documents
- Opens and maintains files for general legal and litigation matters
- Prepares and assembles trial notes, exhibits, testimony transcripts, witness summons, subpoenas/subpoenas duces tecum, court instructions, etc., for the attorney’s use in court
- Checks legal citations, research materials, case law, etc., for accuracy and completeness
- Sets up video conference calls
Other Functions
- Answers telephone, screens callers, and may resolve routine matters independently
- Maintains mail log of all incoming correspondence received in the GCO
- Serves as department receptionist, which includes greeting and assisting internal and external visitors
- Orders and maintains office supplies
- Maintains law library
- Performs related duties as assigned
Work Environment And Physical Demands
Business casual office setting
Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
- Comprehensive knowledge of legal assistant procedures and practices
- Excellent knowledge of the English language, grammar, spelling, and punctuation
- Thorough knowledge of legal terminology and legal research techniques and sources
- Familiarity with standard legal documents, including pleadings, motions, law memoranda, briefs, etc., together with understanding the purpose and role of each such document
- Good knowledge of office procedures, equipment, and computer applications such as spreadsheets, word processing, email, and databases
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to recognize confidential information and maintain the integrity of such information
- Excellent organization skills and attention to detail
- Ability to deal courteously and tactfully with coworkers, superiors, and the general public
Minimum Education, Experience Requirements
- High School diploma (or equivalent)
- 4 years’ experience supporting attorneys in a law office setting
The Legal Assistant II performs a variety of complex legal administrative work in support of Associate Counsel I and/or Associate Counsel II.
