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Job Description
Job Purpose: The Legal Assistant/Paralegal of the Family Justice Center of Ouachita Parish is responsible for providing support to the Family Justice Center Attorney (s) by preparing legal documents, maintaining departmental records and preparing files for intake and court for clients seeking family law counsel as a result of domestic violence.
Experience & Knowledge:
- Minimum of 3 years of legal assistant/paralegal experience, domestic violence/family law preferred.
- Understanding of the effects and cycle of domestic violence
- Strong organizational skills
- Strong communication skills
- Office equipment/computer skills
Skills & Abilities:
- Must be sensitive to the needs of people while performing a variety of tasks.
- Must have excellent interpersonal skills and be receptive to new ideas.
- Must have adequate skill in typing, including drafting pleadings, filing and general office operation practices.
- Must have the ability to prepare letters, memoranda, drafts, legal documents, in forma pauperis affidavits, Hearing Officer Conference affidavits, and other correspondence as assigned.
- Must have the ability to review and proofread documents and correspondence to ensure accuracy.
- Must have ability to provide administrative support including copying, scanning, faxing, and mailing documents.
- Must have knowledge of procedures and techniques used in legal research, including the various related sources of legal information.
- Must have adequate working knowledge of legal terminology and legal formats.
- Works independently within the guidelines established by supervisor.
- Is professional and responsible about all aspects of work and makes good use of time by possessing the ability to prioritize tasks in accordance with the attorney’s timeline.
- Possesses excellent verbal and written communications’ skills.
- Has experience in compiling statistical information.
- Has ability to develop and maintain professional relationships with clients from various cultural, ethnic and racial backgrounds. Greets and screens callers and visitors, making referrals to appropriate personnel.
- Has good working relationship with other staff; fosters teamwork, is very cooperative and handles delicate situations tactfully.
- Has ability to maintain effective working relationships with other FJC professionals and to be cooperative in handling referrals.
- Maintains poise and self-control even under extreme stress and unexpected crises.
- Is appropriately assertive even in difficult situations.
- Maintains personal appearance consistent with FJC standards.
- Effectively plans and arranges work responsibilities.
- Assumes responsibility for own learning.
- Has ability to work within the purpose, structure and constraints of the Center and to make suggestions for change in a responsible manner.
- Is committed to continued professional growth.
Core Values of Staff
- Service: I act with a servant’s heart to contribute meaningfully to the wellbeing of others.
- Teamwork: I willingly help my teammates.
- Respect: I recognize the dignity, worth and importance of others.
- Open-hearted: I am kind, caring and compassionate.
- iNtegrity: I am honest and ethical in all that I do.
- Growth: I embrace challenges and change with a positive attitude.
Job Related Training Courses Programs
- Orientation
- On-going in-service with local, state, regional and & national workshops, conferences.
Principal Duties & Responsibilities
- Delivers Direct Services to clients by
- Supporting FJC attorney(s) with clients in Family Law and specifically domestic violence issues.
- Taking pleadings to the Clerk of Court for filing.
- Taking items to the Post Office for mailing.
- Assist in trial preparation by preparing proposals/documents as directed for child support, spousal support, contested and uncontested child custody, divorce, visitation, welfare issues, protective orders, housing, property settlements, paternity, vacating divorce judgments contracts, and bankruptcy cases.
- Contact victims/witnesses for information and courtroom appearances.
- Processes case dispositions (sentence orders); enters information into computer database, purges files as appropriate including opening, closing, scanning, filing and reports, etc. indicating status, to the funders, etc.
- Receives court notices and enters into a computer database; adds court date to the calendar of the attorney assigned to the case; updates information in the computer system as information is received from the Court, law enforcement agencies or other parties.
- Typing legal documents, correspondence, filing.
- Being proficient in the use of office equipment such as computer, printer, fax machine and copier, etc.
- Reviews local court rules for compliance and prepares related court documents; comply with statutory requirements on appeals by providing documentation to the Court of Appeals.
- Ensuring activities carried out in the name of the Center are in accordance with the Center’s mission, policies and procedures.
- Supports FJC by ensuring a competent, productive, and satisfied professional legal staff by
- Modeling teamwork, efficiency, and accuracy
- Seeks educational and experiential growth opportunities.
- Protects the physical assets and fiscal integrity of the Family Law legal services by
- Maintaining secure files
- Maintaining confidentially
- Assuring that assets are adequately maintained and not at unnecessary risk
- Maintains professional competency by
- Participating in continued education and personal growth experiences.
- Participating in monthly, quarterly and annual agency meetings and training,
- Maintains a harmonious working relationship with the volunteers, executives and staff of other related service agencies, public officials, etc. by
- Amenable and cooperative contacts on FJC role
- Acting as a role model for volunteers, staff and for the wider community at large
- Promotes a positive image of the Center by
- Ensuring an understanding of program services available,
- Conducting oneself according to a professional code of ethics.
- Always maintains safety of clients and staff by
- Complying with agency procedures, rules and regulations
- Coordinating and cooperating with law enforcement as needed
- Ensure safety procedures will be followed at all times
- Performs other duties as related to the position and as assigned
- Work non-traditional hours and/or alternate schedule during special projects or to meet agency deadlines
