Legal Assistant III - Civil Division

Pay

Salary $5,602.13 – $6,792.93 per month.

Schedule

Full‑time.

Location

Yakima, WA.

About the role

The City of Yakima Legal Department is seeking a Legal Assistant for the Civil division. The position works under the direction of the City Attorney to analyze, process, and respond to public records requests in compliance with state law, Model Rules published by the State Attorney General, and City policies. The role requires discretion, confidentiality, and the ability to collaborate in a professional law‑office environment.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent AND:
  • Four (4) years of increasingly responsible legal paralegal, legal assistant, or legal administrative experience in civil litigation, civil municipal law, or direct support of an attorney.
• A Bachelor’s degree in pre‑law, economics, business, political science, English, communication, or sociology may substitute for one year of experience.
• OR two (2) years of paralegal, legal assistant, or legal administrative experience PLUS legal certification(s) such as Professional Legal Assistant (PLS), Legal Studies, Accredited Legal Professional (ALP), Certified Paralegal, or a directly related credential.
• Previous experience in a municipal legal department or private law firm focused on municipal law or civil litigation is preferred.

Licenses, Registrations, and Certifications

• Pass a Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) background check and become CJIS ACCESS approved by the Washington State Patrol before the hire date.
• Ability to become bonded as a Notary Public of the State of Washington.
• May be required to attend remote training for specialized operations and skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform duties of a Legal Assistant I or II, drafting, formatting, and filing pleadings in municipal, district, superior, or higher courts.
• Provide leadership, guidance, training, and direction to subordinate staff; serve as a resource on policies, procedures, and techniques.
• Offer feedback to supervisors and City attorneys on process improvements, policy issues, and subordinate performance; contribute to performance evaluations.
• Prepare, organize, review, and file legal pleadings such as trial briefs, motions, orders, judgments, notices of appearance, answers to summons and complaints, depositions, affidavits, interrogatories, and subpoenas.
• Prepare and finalize discovery (both propounded and responsive); review discovery requests and identify needed information.
• Assist attorneys during trial as needed.
• Draft, prepare, type, and process legal forms and documents (ordinances, resolutions, legislation, leases, agreements, contracts, easements, legal descriptions, jury instructions, memoranda, briefs) and ensure timely, accurate completion.
• Ensure all work is neat, orderly, and professionally presented without oversight.
• Draft, prepare, and type correspondence and other written materials independently or from rough drafts, notes, or verbal instructions.
• Proofread and edit legal documents for accuracy and completeness; correct errors and omissions.
• Assist the Risk Management division with intake, tracking, and preparation of contracts for attorney review, approval, signature, and routing; administer and track claims against the City; perform case management for the Civil division.
• Review and redact documents subject to public disclosure, assess and apply exemptions, and respond to public records requests; stay current with public‑record laws and collaborate with the City Clerk’s office.
• Conduct legal research, search computer databases, retrieve, store, edit, and print documents as needed.
• Assist attorneys in trial preparation by contacting and preparing subpoenas for witnesses.
• Receive, screen, and answer inquiries from witnesses, attorneys, and staff regarding pending claims or litigation; explain policies and refer to appropriate offices.
• Assist in supervising organization and maintenance of complex, confidential departmental files; pull files and make appropriate notations.
• Assist in assigning, prioritizing, and monitoring work assignments.