Legal Secretary - Madison Trial Office
Introduction
The State Public Defender (SPD) is recruiting to fill one full-time Legal Secretary position in our Madison Trial office. SPD's mission is to enhance the quality of justice throughout Wisconsin by providing high-quality, cost-effective representation to indigent clients, protecting the rights of accused individuals, and by serving as advocates for effective defense services and a rational criminal justice system. At SPD, we are committed to diversity in hiring, retention, and career development.
What We Offer
- Access to the region's best health plans
- Generous paid time off starting with 3.5 weeks of vacation, 9 paid holidays, and ample sick leave
- Participation in one of the nation's top-rated pension plans
- Eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Why Work With Us
At the SPD, we pride ourselves on fostering an inclusive, human-centered and family-friendly culture, where everyone is encouraged to bring their "whole self" to work. Professional development is encouraged and supported, and we offer a wide variety of training opportunities to help you grow in your career. Our leadership's goal is to provide a work environment dedicated to ensuring that each and every staff member is treated with respect and dignity, recognizing each individual's contributions to the team.
Who We Are
SPD provides legal representation for persons who are accused of crimes or are defendants in certain specified civil matters, and who meet statutory financial eligibility criteria. The mission of the SPD is to zealously represent clients, protect constitutional rights, and advocate for an effective and fair criminal justice system. Our commitment is to treat our clients with dignity and compassion, as they are at the center of everything we do.
Position Summary
The Legal Secretary provides clerical and administrative support to the local office staff, including attorneys.
Salary Information
This classification is in pay schedule/range 02-12 with a starting salary of $27.08 per hour. A one-year probationary period will be required. Final selected candidates may be eligible for moving expense reimbursement to relocate to the place of employment.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications (Required):
- Providing administrative, clerical or office support (e.g., greeting visitors, answering phones, mail distribution, etc.)
- Working with Microsoft Office Suites and/or Google Workspace (e.g., Google drive files, word processing, database entry, email, scheduling, spreadsheets, etc.)
- Proofreading documents (note: your cover letter will be used to assess your proofreading abilities and will be assessed for proper punctuation, grammar and spelling)
A well-qualified candidate will also have experience and/or training in:
- Working with the criminal justice system and/or in other legal settings
How To Apply
Click "Apply for Job" to start the application process. You will be asked to attach a resume and a letter of qualifications. Your letter of qualifications and resume are very important parts of your application and are used during our evaluation process to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job. If both documents are not submitted, you will not be eligible for consideration. Application materials will not be accepted if received in an email, as a hard copy or a fax. Candidates who are deemed eligible will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to apply for this position, please reach out to the HR Specialist listed below.
Deadline to Apply: 11:59 pm on Sunday, September 20, 2026.
If you have any questions on this recruitment or how to apply, please contact Monica Endres at endresm@opd.wi.gov.
This response is AI-generated, for reference only.