Legal Assistant - Part Time

**Pay is Depending on Qualifications**

JOB SUMMARY:

Performs intermediate/advanced level of legal, secretarial and administrative work in the Family Law Information Center’s office. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Review and/or assist with completion of domestic legal pleadings (divorce and legitimation packets) completed by pro se litigants – by appointment (i.e., check forms for completion, copy and notarize documents).

Prepare Child Support Worksheets, Parenting Plans, and other pleadings as needed for qualifying pro-se litigants, as qualifications allow and at the direction of the Director.

Assist with e-filing on an as needed basis.

Explain procedures for filing and other mandatory Court processes in domestic actions (e.g., parenting class and mediation requirements).

Assist with submission of litigant motions/pleadings to Court as needed.

Assist with program financial qualifications. 

Field public walk-ins (FLIC-related), incoming calls and emails, directing individuals to outside resources if needed.

Schedule litigant follow-up appointments as needed and as able.

Use case management software to log calls, appointment summaries and appointment data.

Maintain and assist director with revising: procedural checklists, forms and samples, inter-office routing slips, etc. as needed for daily operational efficiency.

Order supplies and cover other administrative needs if Administrative Assistant is out of office.

Works closely with the FLIC attorneys to best cover all aspects of pro se domestic cases.

Coordinates with other staff to ensure full coverage of work load, including occasional coverage on the front desk, picking up and dropping off supplies and/or documents from court offices, filling in for other legal assistants, etc.

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Personal Computer, Practice Panther, ICON/CMS, Microsoft Office 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point) Scanner, Copy Machine, Phone.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Education and Experience:

High School diploma or G.E.D., two year college or four year degree preferred.

3-5 years legal assistant and/or paralegal experience.   Customer service experience required.

Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the minimum level of qualifications stated above.

Licenses and Certifications:

ABA Certified Paralegal Certificate (Desirable)

Notary Public (Desirable)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of office terminology, procedures and equipment and of business Arithmetic and English.  Court practices and procedures.  General office practices, procedures, equipment and technology.  Proofreading. 

Requires knowledge of legal terminology, drafting, and formatting legal domestic documents including but not limited to, child support worksheets, pleadings, motions, orders, and any other documentation as needed.

Knowledge of standard legal processes to include pleading sequences, drafting of pleadings, total case sequence and supporting documents.

Knowledge of personnel policies including, but not limited to, payroll.

Skill in operating various office equipment and in accessing information on legal computer systems (e.g., case management software, legal research).

Skill in assisting in training legal secretarial support staff to include prioritizing and monitoring work for accuracy and completeness.

Skill in legal reference research preferred.

Skill in processing of confidential matters with discretion.

Bilingual (Spanish and English) preferred.

Ability to type 60-70 w.p.m.

Skill in preparing correspondence on routine matters and to perform routine office management tasks independently.

Skill in typing and operating a computer (basic skills in generating Outlook Mail and Calendar, Excel, Word, Adobe Acrobat), printer, scanner and copier.  

Ability to draft communication emails, write and provide clerical support with accuracy.

Skill in operating a phone – transferring calls efficiently and tactfully.

Ability to deal professionally and courteously with the public, members of the legal community and other employees.

Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with individuals facing stressful and sensitive family law matters.

Ability to assist individuals with varied socioeconomic status and diverse social, religious, cultural or lifestyle beliefs or choices with discretion and without bias.

Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Collect and maintain statistical data as required.

Performs other related duties as required.

Regular and predictable attendance is required.

ADA Minimum Qualifications:

Physical Ability: Essential functions of this position continuously require the ability to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing); operate a computer and other office machinery, such as a calculator, copier, and printer. Incumbents must continuously be able to think analytically; handle stress and emotion, concentrate on tasks, remember names and other details; examine and observe details; make decisions, and adjust to change. Incumbents must also continuously direct others; meet deadlines; stay organized; use math/calculations and use a keyboard/type.

Essential Functions frequently require the ability to move about inside the office; and move/transport items up to 10lbs.

Essential functions occasionally require the ability to bend body downward and forward by bending spine and legs, and twisting at the waist, hips or knees; reach overhead; push or pull; and repetitively use hands/arms/legs. Incumbents in this position are occasionally required to be on-call and work irregular hours. 

Sensory Requirements: Essential functions regularly require the ability to use effective verbal and written communication; and use of hand/eye coordination and fine manipulation to use equipment.

Environmental Factors: Essential functions of this position continuously require the ability to either work with others or work alone. 

This class specification should not be interpreted as all inclusive.  It is intended to identify the major respon­sibilities and requirements of this job.  The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specifica­tion.