Legal Assistant
Catholic Charities of Ingham, Eaton, & Clinton Counties See More Job Openings by This Employer
Job Description
Job Summary
At Catholic Charities of Ingham, Eaton, and Clinton Counties, every team member plays an essential role in advancing our mission to serve vulnerable individuals and families with compassion and dignity. As part of our team, you will contribute to a wide range of services aimed at fostering hope, healing, and empowerment within the communities we serve.
The Part-Time Legal Assistant plays a vital role as part of a team providing administrative support to two immigration attorneys. This role is focused on facilitating access to legal services for individuals navigating the complex U.S. immigration system, often with limited resources. Individuals in this role have strong organizational and communication skills, with high attention to detail. They exhibit cultural sensitivity and empathy for vulnerable individuals. Bilingual abilities are valued, but not required.
Key Responsibilities
- Respond promptly to all incoming program phone calls, communicating clearly and professionally with individuals whose primary language is not English; arrange for language interpreters as needed
- Assess and prioritize all incoming service requests using sound judgment
- Conduct conflict checks in accordance with agency and legal requirements
- Manage and coordinate schedules for two attorneys, volunteers/interns, and interpreters, while effectively utilizing limited office space
- Record detailed case notes for every client communication
- Collect, log, and distribute all incoming mail
- Maintain a tickler system to track deadlines and follow-up tasks for all active cases
- Draft correspondence for attorney review and signature, applying discretion and familiarity with case details
- Process and send all outgoing mail promptly
- Oversee file management, including processing new and closed files, updating the file location database, and retrieving files as needed
- Provide comprehensive clerical and administrative support to attorneys
- Take and print passport photos for clients
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
- Education: Associate degree or equivalent experience
- Experience:
- Office experience preferred
- Fluency in written and spoken English
- Required Licenses, Certifications, and Training: Valid Driver's License; Excellent computer skills and written and verbal skills required.
Personal Attributes Anticipated
- Mission-Driven: Demonstrates a deep commitment to the mission and values of Catholic Charities of Ingham, Eaton, and Clinton Counties, and incorporates them into daily work
- Collaborative Team Player: Thrives in a team environment, contributing positively and working effectively with others to achieve shared goals
- Solution-Oriented Problem Solver: Proactively identifies challenges and develops practical, innovative solutions to address them
- Culturally Sensitive: Demonstrates awareness and respect for the cultural diversity of both colleagues and clients, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment
- Integrity: Upholds a strong moral character, consistently doing what is right, and responsibly using time and resources to serve the organization’s mission
Work Environment & Physical Demands
- This position is on-site and may not be eligible for remote work
- Attendance at occasional meetings or events outside regular business hours is required
- The role involves working with sensitive or potentially traumatic information and direct interaction with individuals or families in crisis
- Physical requirements include frequent use of hands for handling objects, tools, or controls; talking, bending, squatting, twisting, climbing, kneeling, reaching, and occasionally lifting or carrying up to 30 pounds
- Vision requirements include close-up work, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus
- The work environment may involve varying degrees of physical discomfort and occasional loud noise
- Occasional driving, potentially with Clients, during the workday may be needed for operational purposes
- Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions
Comments:
This job description is intended to outline the essential functions, general supplementary tasks, and key requirements for successful performance in this role. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position. Additional tasks may be assigned, and management reserves the right to modify duties as needed
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