Legal Assistant

Duties of the legal assistant include, but are not limited to, the following, some of which tasks may be assigned to one or more legal assistants within an office:

1. Type, file and handle all clerical office matters for the casehandlers to whom assigned;
2. Maintain client files and applications and complete assigned work on case files within the required time frame;
3. Make copies of documents as requested;
4. Create files for all new cases;
5. Notarize documents;
6. Maintain office law library;
7. Communicate with clients and other lawyers as requested;
8. Coordinate schedules and maintain case requirements calendar of casehandlers, as requested;
9. Prepare standard pleadings for review by attorneys;
10. Set hearings, depositions and other appointments with clients and other attorneys as requested;
11. Compose routine correspondence;
12. Obtain information from data base and check conflict of interest;
13. Make appropriate disposition of applications as instructed by assigned attorney;
14. Answer office telephone as required, and take messages for other staff;
15. Handle incoming and outgoing mail, ensuring that all income mail is distributed to the appropriate parties and that outgoing correspondence is prepared in time and is placed in the appropriate location for mailing;
16. Assist in overflow work to ensure smooth office operations;
17. Maintain office equipment by replenishing toner in copiers and printers when necessary and refilling copier and printer paper trays as needed; and respond to equipment breakdowns, distracting office conditions and other office conditions requiring management attention;
18. Maintain office supply inventory and requisitions supplies and office equipment when necessary;
19. Maintain trust accounts according to standard accounting procedures, including typing of trust account checks or receipts or reporting, whichever is assigned by the branch manager;
20. Orient new employees on office procedures and briefs employees on policy and procedure changes;
21. Coordinate staff leave and travel arrangements for staff;
22. Verify time sheets and distributes payroll checks and other compensation;
23. Translate;
24. All other secretarial duties as may be requested by the immediate supervisor.

Qualifications

1. Type minimum of 45 words per minute;
2. Experience with word processing
3. Preference given to persons with high school degree or equivalent;
4. Minimum of two years secretarial experience;
5. Bilingual in English and Spanish.