Legal Assistant

Location: Dallas

Salary: $49,943.25

Reports to: Managing Attorney

About the role

This legal assistant manages a variety of complex and highly confidential legal documents. This role prepares files and materials for use in court appearances in support of the managing attorney and trial team. Work requires problem solving, independent judgement and may involve limited supervision of interns.

Responsibilities

• Maintains client files, including file indexing and document management.
• Proofreads, edits drafts and completes materials for accuracy, proper grammar and format consistency.
• Performs a variety of general office support to other trial teams on an as-needed basis, including maintaining accurate records and files and providing coverage for other assignments.
• Uses a variety of office equipment, software and technology needed to print, scan, and reproduce documents.
• Provides support to attorneys, such as tracking and ensuring that all documents have been prepared, processed and appropriate actions taken in a timely manner.
• Prepares periodic spreadsheets to track status of cases.
• Works within critical deadlines in drafting pleadings, motions, orders, warrants, petitions, subpoenas, witness lists, jury instructions, voir dire questions, verdict forms, reports, general correspondence and other materials from drafts, notes, verbal instructions, and previous records.
• Assists with compilation of statistical data.
• Assists teams with PowerPoint presentations for plea and/or trial purposes.
• Coordinates the scheduling of appointments with District Attorney offices, jails and experts.
• Arranges travel and prepares reimbursement forms for office.
• Participates in team meetings and strategy sessions.

Requirements

• Any combination of education and experience that would provide the ability to be proficient in the essential duties listed.
• Must be able to type at a net rate of 50 words per minute.
• At least two years of experience in processing legal documents in a court, criminal justice or legal office setting preferred.

Skills

• Knowledge of legal office and criminal justice system terminology, forms, documents and procedures.
• Knowledge of the standard format for a variety of legal documents and forms, including briefs, motions, opinions, subpoenas and warrants.
• Knowledge of specified computer applications involving word processing, spreadsheets and standard report generation.
• Knowledge of standard office practices and procedures, including filing and the operation of standard office equipment.
• Knowledge of record keeping principles and practices.
• Knowledge of correct business English, including spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• General knowledge of the organizational, procedural and human aspects in supervising within an organization.
• Skill in independently preparing a variety of legal documents and forms.
• Skill in editing and reviewing for accuracy, format and correct English usage in technical and complex legal and court documents.
• Skill in using applicable legal office terminology, forms, documents and procedures.
• Skill in performing detailed legal office support work.
• Skill in composing correspondence or documents independently or from brief instructions.
• Ability to be flexible and competently perform in a variety of assignment areas.
• Ability to use sound independent judgment in following and applying appropriate laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Ability to maintain accurate legal office files.
• Ability to organize one’s own work, set priorities, work in a high volume setting and meet critical deadlines.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

Physical and Environmental Requirements

• Physical requirements include lifting/carrying 25 lbs. occasionally.
• Visual acuity, speech and hearing; hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate computer keyboard and basic office equipment.
• Subject to sitting, standing, walking, reaching and handling to perform the essential functions.