Legal Assistant

The position is responsible for performing a wide variety of legal assistant and administrative support functions for the County Attorney and staff Attorneys as they prepare for and try civil and criminal cases in Yellowstone County; does related work as required.

This position requires multi-tasking, independent work performance, independent problem solving, and determining deadline priorities for attorneys. This position also requires a comprehensive level of understanding of the court system, legal terminology, confidentiality, and services available on a local and statewide basis to assist the public.  

• Performs a variety of complex legal assistant, secretarial and administrative support processes and procedures and analyzes a variety of subject matter required to determine appropriate actions to be implemented;
• Formats, prepares and proofs a wide variety of time-sensitive complex legal documents, including briefs, memos, complaints, affidavits, warrants, summons, writs, motions, notices, stipulations, findings of fact, judgments, petitions, warrants, dismissals and related papers in accordance with instructions or established customs and procedures, including e-filing;
• Attends Law and Motion, Omnibus Hearings, Trial Status Hearings, DN Hearings and Warrant Court (as required) assists assigned attorney during courtroom proceedings; studies case files and prepares proposed court orders for use by judges in criminal, domestic and civil actions, judgments, and dispositions after sentencing occurs; 
• Maintains Youth Court calendars, schedules hearings and attends Youth Court with assigned attorney and takes notes of the proceedings, as required;  
• Maintains attorney calendars including events and due dates; maintains Supreme Court, Post-Conviction Relief and License Petition calendars, deadlines, and decisions; schedules and notifies participants as needed; confirms court dates and times with inquiring parties;
• Receives and screens telephone calls from public, defense attorneys, law enforcement and medical personnel and direct calls to staff members; 
• Generates a Daily Booking Activity Report of recent arrests; schedule court appearances; track, research and calculate the current jail time served for defendants to determine revocable time on sentences;
• Establishes and maintains case files referred by law enforcement and other governmental agencies; 
• Arranges transport and video appearances for local and out-of-county inmates; coordinates legal activities and documents with judicial and/or penal systems, and other appropriate agencies;
• Aids attorneys on extradition and fugitive cases in accordance with the National Manual of Extradition Officials and Interstate Rendition; communicates with out-of-state officials and the Montanan Governor’s Office;
• Participates in trial preparations; prepares and maintains exhibits and exhibit lists and jury lists for voir dire; research criminal records of potential jurors prior to trial;
• Maintains computerized tickler for internal and external use, updating, adding, and removing information and cases as appropriate;
• Responds to letters or memoranda within assigned areas of responsibility and drafts responses to other letters or memoranda for review and approval by assigned attorneys;
• Assists with and coordinates involuntary commitments for persons with mental illness, which includes communication with hospitals and public agencies;
• Provide file contents/police reports per public record request, which includes redaction of confidential information;  
• Attends hearings, meetings, conferences, and workshops as necessary and appropriate for position;
• Performs related work as required.

• Education/Experience/Training:
  • Associate’s Degree in Legal Assistant Studies, Criminal Justice, or closely related field; and
  • One (1) year legal assistant or legal secretary experience; or
  • Any equivalent combination of experience and training totaling three (3) years.
• Certifications:
  • May be required to become CJIN/NCIC certified within six (6) month probationary period, if applicable; 
  • Notary Public within six (6) month probationary period, if applicable.

Salary : $22