Legal Office Specialist #00033567-23900, Full-Time, Perm in Clovis, NM

About the role

Acting under general direction, serve as a liaison providing legal support to court staff, attorneys, other state agencies and the public.

Responsibilities

• Provide routine legal support according to court rules and guidelines.
• Compose correspondence, notices, and legal documents.
• Perform administrative support functions.
• Keep court associates apprised of operational and procedural changes.
• Manage and coordinate the timely processing of documents, case files, and statistics.
• Research legal material and records.
• Analyze and process cases, maintain and manage case flow for rule compliance, and stamp and docket pleadings and legal records.
• Identify cases for judgments and court orders pursuant to directives by the judge or commissioner.
• Maintain calendar of deadlines and appointments, coordinate the timely processing of documents, and manage office files and records.
• Create agendas, schedule appointments, prepare materials for meetings, and manage administrative minutes.
• Communicate and apply complex rules for case administration, filing, court procedures, and legal processes under the New Mexico State Law.
• Utilize and update legal reference materials.
• Review court rules and make recommendations to address non-routine legal issues that may fall outside court rules and guidelines.
• Provide guidance to, consult, and assist new law clerks and other legal office specialists in the technical and procedural aspects of the job.
• Assist the judge or hearing officer in the courtroom.
• Provide customer service and information to the general public, attorneys, and judicial partners.
• Prepare transport list, data collection, and compile and prepare statistical reports.
• Prepare legal pleadings, proofread documents, and follow up on overdue arbitrations.
• Provide assistance for backup and serve as a liaison with state agencies and the public.
• Prepare draft memoranda in areas of law and maintain law library.
• May serve as a court monitor.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Education: Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university in any field.
• Education Substitution: Two (2) years of experience as a legal assistant, legal office specialist, judicial specialist, or directly related field.
• Experience: Three (3) years of experience as a legal assistant, legal office specialist, judicial specialist, or directly related field.
• Experience Substitution: Additional relevant education may substitute for up to one (1) year of experience. Thirty (30) semester hours equals one (1) year of experience.

The successful applicant should demonstrate knowledge of legal terminology; procedures, court rules, policies, and operations; case management systems and applicable software; authorized and unauthorized practices of law; Supreme Court Rules and Regulations; New Mexico One Source of Law and other electronic legal databases; New Mexico Statutes Annotated (NMSA); New Mexico Judicial Branch Personnel Rules; Arbitration, Settlement Facilitation, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), civil and criminal processes, Pro Se, On-Record Appeals, etc.; rules and statutes of Notary Public; office management and customer service practices; research methodology; filings in magistrate court; journal docket; sources for fact gathering; and data collection.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

Work is performed in an office or court setting. A valid driver's license and travel may be required. The assigned work schedule may include nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime. The employee must regularly interact positively with co-workers, clients, the public, judges, and justices.

Benefits

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Rx, Short, and Long Term Disability Insurance Programs, employee assistance program (EAP)
• State paid life insurance, supplemental and dependent life insurance
• Optional flexible spending accounts for medical, day-care, and travel expenses
• Paid vacation and sick leave up to eight (8) weeks
• Eleven (11) paid holidays
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan
• Lifetime Defined Benefits Retirement Plan
• Flexible work schedules and alternative work locations
• Free health care, Rx, and lab work at the facility (Stay Well Health Center) in Santa Fe, NM
• Bilingual compensation
• Training and career development opportunities
• Higher education opportunities, educational leave, and tuition reimbursement
• May qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• May receive overtime holiday or shift differential pay
• May receive physical fitness leave