Legal Assistant

The final salary will depend on the candidate's qualifications. Those with 8 years or more of required experience can expect offers up to the midpoint of the salary range. Metra provides full pay ranges so candidates can consider their growth potential.

Metra is one of the largest and most complex commuter rail systems in North America, serving Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane, and McHenry Counties. The agency is linking communities in Northeastern Illinois by providing safe, reliable, and efficient commuter service.

Metra’s Law Department is supported by the General Counsel, who reports to Metra’s Board of Directors and CEO. The department provides legal counsel to the Board, Metra’s senior leadership and every department in the agency. The department is organized into three teams: Governance/Team Support, Corporate/Regulatory, and Litigation/Risk Management. Metra’s Ethics Officer is a member of the department. The Law Department focuses on proactively identifying and addressing legal issues in support of Metra’s mission to deliver safe, reliable, efficient, and affordable commuter rail service that enhances the economic and environmental health of Northeast Illinois.

Reporting to the Office Manager, the Legal Assistant will provide a range of day-to-day clerical and administrative functions in support the department's legal team; maintain records, documents, and files; compose routine legal correspondence; and conduct research.

The primary duties include: Answer phone calls; open and distribute mail; prepare and fulfill document and copy requests; schedule meetings, appointments, and court dates; reserve conference rooms and make travel arrangements; and ensure all relevant parties are apprised of pertinent dates and deadlines.

Draft shells for legal documents including motions, contracts, discovery, complaints, and subpoenas; prepare accurate finished legal documents from notes or transcribe from lengthy legal recordings; proofread and edit legal materials; and compose other routine legal memos, letters, and correspondence.

Open new and maintain existing electronic files and records; and assist with the preparation and distribution of reports.

Process procurement card (P-card) and other expenditures; submit check requests; track payments; and enter applicable information into electronic check processing system.

Ensure the electronic docketing system is current; log, calendar, and monitor case information; and track essential dates, court appearances, filing deadlines, and appointments.

Metra is a railroad employer subject to the provisions of the Railroad Retirement Tax Act, not the Social Security Administration.

1. High school diploma or GED is required.  

2. In addition to #1, four (4) years of experience as a legal assistant or legal secretary or related administrative support.  

3. Type at least 35 wpm.

4. Knowledge of:

• standard legal forms and terminology, documents, and formats.
• court filing and calendar procedures.
• office operations, practices, procedures, and equipment.

5. Proficient in Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

6. Strong:

• written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, external groups, and organizations.
• organizational skills with attention to detail.

7. Ability to:

• perform detailed work accurately.
• prepare legal documents from general instructions.
• transcribe lengthy legal recordings accurately.
• proof and correct draft documents.
• work in a demanding and fast paced environment.
• work with sensitive information and maintain strict confidentiality.

Preferences:

• Legal Secretary or Legal Assistant certification from an accredited program or an Associate degree is preferred. 

Metra employees in an active review period under the current discipline policy or who have documented attendance or performance issues will not be considered and/or selected for this position.

Please note: Regardless of any state laws that legalize marijuana, Metra prohibits applicants and employees’ use or possession of marijuana (or marijuana paraphernalia), or having detectable amounts of marijuana in their bodies, including synthetic and/or non-synthetic substances such as THC for any reason for pre-employment screening purposes, while on duty, subject to duty, on Metra property, or in Metra work equipment and vehicles.

Metra is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is our policy to fill vacant positions with qualified candidates without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, disability, or any protected categories, assuming an individual can perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.

Metra is committed to ensuring that our career website and recruiting process are accessible to all individuals. If you encounter difficulties or limitations in using or accessing our online application, or if you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, participate in interviews, complete any pre-employment testing, or engage in any other aspect of the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to RAC@Metrarr.com.