Legal Assistant - Confidential

Responsibilities

• Prepare documents and confirm compliance with statutes, court decisions, or other legal authorities.
• Assist attorneys to prepare, assemble, and organize legal opinions and memoranda such as briefs, pleadings, appeals, motions, search warrants, contracts, complaints, petitions, ordinances, interrogatories, and other legal documents.
• On behalf of attorneys, make appointments and maintain calendar of court dates and conferences.
• Recommend form revisions and procedural changes as appropriate.
• Take appropriate follow-up action on legal documents, such as filing documents with appropriate courts, arranging for court trial dates, and coordinating with opposing counsel.
• Type a variety of material from handwritten or typed draft copy, and prepare correspondence or reports.
• Perform routine clerical tasks such as filing, duplicating, photocopying, and assembling mail.
• Interview witnesses, collect statistical data, and conduct financial investigations (as needed).
• Assist in training and directing the work of subordinate clerical staff.
• Process, prepare, and maintain legal documents in the assigned office.
• Research information from various codes and other legal records.
• Operate a personal computer and other office equipment.
• Analyze data, interpret directions, procedures, and regulations, and develop appropriate responses.
• Perform job duties under stressful conditions and respond appropriately to situations.
• Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations.

Requirements

• Three (3) years of experience preparing a variety of legal documents, supplemented by coursework in legal office practices and business law, preferably with at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to a Legal Secretary.
• OR three (3) years of documented experience in performing research and analysis, and drafting subpoenas, writs, complaints, or similar para-legal activities.
• OR completion of an approved legal para-professional training program and two (2) years of experience in the preparation of legal documents.

Skills

• Knowledge of legal documents, procedures, terminology, and forms.
• Understanding of filing procedures and legal terminology.
• Familiarity with legal office practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of civil and/or criminal law.
• Proficiency in operating computers, office equipment, and machines.
• Strong business English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Ability to prepare and maintain court calendars.
• Perform difficult and complex assignments with speed and accuracy, meeting deadlines.
• Collect and examine financial data.
• Understand and apply legal principles and precedents.
• Draft contracts, resolutions, letters, and other legal documents.
• Make logical presentations of statements of facts.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with attorneys, officials, and the general public.
• Read, understand, interpret, and apply technical material and directions.
• Basic understanding of accounting procedures.
• Learn to input, access, and analyze data using a computer.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action.
• Keep and maintain records.
• Use good judgment in recognizing the scope and limit of delegated authority.

Physical Demands

• Frequent use of depth perception, peripheral vision, and color perception.
• Frequently lift, carry, reach, push, pull, twist, and manipulate large and small objects.
• Frequent use of hand-eye coordination; use of data entry device; repetitive hand and arm motion.
• Occasionally lift and carry up to 40 pounds.
• Regular attendance is an essential function.
• Normal dexterity, frequent holding, and grasping.

About the County

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