Kind of Work
Important and independent administrative support work in performing a wide variety of complex and confidential technical and supervisory support tasks in support of attorneys. Work includes performing a variety of paralegal and secretarial duties in support of a major legal administrator. Incumbents in this classification are expected to work at a high level of independence, requiring the frequent use of discretion, initiative and independent judgment; and related duties as required.
Distinguishing Features of Work
The Legal Administrative Assistant class is distinguished from the general Principal Office Support Specialist class by the need for specialized training and experience required to perform legal secretarial work. The Legal Administrative Assistant class is required to perform specialized legal secretarial duties requiring knowledge of the legal system, including legal terminology, phraseology, documents, and forms. It is distinguished from the Paralegal in that the Paralegal work focuses on the performance of legal research and prepares standard legal documents.
Reports to: Attorney II or higher
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Examples of Work
Types legal documents, correspondence, briefs, memoranda, opinions, ordinances and resolutions, and other legal papers from handwritten notes, verbal instruction, or transcription utilizing word processing equipment and spreadsheet software as appropriate.
Responsible for processing and editing confidential information, and ensuring that the information is accurate.
Receives and screens calls, locates documents, copies of resolutions and ordinances, and correspondence to provide basic and specific information to telephone and in-person inquiries.
Maintains general and litigation files and electronic files including the docketing and filing of pleadings.
Manages filing systems, and opening or closing of files in a prompt manner.
Maintains a variety of legal logs, files and office documents.
Maintains calendars and schedules for legal staff members.
Maintains financial records of the office and handles procurement of supplies, preparation of departmental payroll and maintains leave records.
Compiles data and assists with the preparation of responses to legal inquiries;
Preparation of legal documents, notices, and coordinating scheduling and follow-up related to case management.
Necessary Knowledges, Skills and Abilities
Considerable knowledge of:
General litigation procedures.
Legal and general office practices and procedures.
Working knowledge of:
Computer and word processing systems.
Record keeping, report preparation, and filing methods.
Correct English usage including spelling, grammar, punctuation, basic arithmetic and legal vocabulary.
Legal terminology, legal processes and formats of legal documents.
Ability to:
Provide varied and complex administrative assistance to attorneys and other professional staff.
Make independent judgements within established guidelines.
Organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow up on assignments with a minimum of direction.
Operate a variety of office machines.
Maintain neat and accurate daily records, calendaring and tracking of court dates.
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Type/word process at a net rate of 35 words per minute.
Establish and maintain effective working relationship with those contacted in the performance of required duties.
Minimum Qualifications
A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university*. Original college diploma or official college transcript must be presented within two (2) weeks of filing an application.
Four (4) years of legal assistant experience.
*Additional legal assistance experience with responsibility for providing assistance to an attorney may be substituted for the Bachelor’s Degree on a year for year basis at the rate of (1) year of experience equals thirty (30) semester hours.
Kind of Exam
A qualifying computerized keyboarding test with a minimum of 35 words per minute after the deduction of errors, a qualifying written examination and a rating of training and experience, weighted 100%. Credit will only be given for experience gained within the last ten (10) years.
This is an original entrance examination.