Criminal Defense / Family Law Legal Assistant

The Garza Law Firm’s Criminal Defense / Family Law Legal Assistant position is an entry level position and is a support role for the Criminal and Family Law Division. The Criminal Defense Legal Assistant works closely with the Criminal Defense Paralegal(s), assigned attorneys (if applicable), as well as the Knoxville Office Manager by providing administrative support required for case management, acquiring legal documentation, and proper preparation for client meetings. 

The Criminal Defense/ Family Law Legal Assistant does not have the authority to practice law, give legal advice, or set strategy on a pre-case/per-client basis. 

• Criminal Team Support:   Criminal Defense / Family Law Legal Assistants provide work assistance to support the Criminal Attorneys and Criminal Paralegals on tasks as requested.
•  Family Law Attorney Support:   Criminal Defense / Family Law Legal Assistants provide work assistance to support the Family Law Attorney(s) and Family Law Paralegal (if applicable)   on tasks as requested.
• Criminal Case Preparation:   The Criminal Defense / Family Law Legal Assistant receives tasks via Filevine to ensure case files include warrants or citations, attorney notes, a copy of the Defendant’s Drivers License or Form of ID, the defendant’s contact information, a filed Notice of Appearance, as well as all necessary evidence the client has provided. 
• Legal Investigative Support:   The Legal Assistant ensures all body-cam or dash-cam video has been requested, the arrest or crash report has been requested, as well as any necessary 911 audio.
• Case Management:   The Legal Assistant monitors the Criminal Case Files via Filevine, to make certain all additional documents get added to the correct file over the course of the case.
• Expungement Management: The   Legal Assistant ensures all necessary expungements are submitted per the attorney's discretion, and all proper payments have been taken from the client to perform the expungement.
• New Potential Client Preparation:   The Legal Assistant ensures the warrant or citation has been requested prior to the potential client meeting. The Legal Assistant will ensure certain a slip-file is assembled before the attorney/new potential client meeting. 
• Family Law Drafting & Case Management: The Legal Assistant ensures all domestic cases are up to date with appropriate filing; drafts all necessary pleadings, discovery, and other necessary documents as directed by the Family   Law Attorney(s); correspond with opposing counsel and/or court clerk staff regarding domestic case filings and updates as necessary. 
• Family Law Billing:   The Legal Assistant will document all billable hours worked in the appropriate case files on Filevine and generate invoices as necessary,   ensuring all invoices are sent to clients and paid/paid towards by the client in a timely manner. The legal assistant will also oversee all bills associated with domestic cases, including but not limited to court-associated filing fees, transcript and/or court reporter invoices, and other related charges, and ensure they are paid out of client trust accounts and/or firm expenses in a timely manner. 

Work Experience

Required:

• Proficient with Microsoft 365 Suite Applications, including but not limited to, Outlook, Word, and Teams.
• Verbal and Written Communication Skills.
• Organizational Skills.

Preferred:

• 1-2 years of experience working in a legal firm.
• Experience with Case File Management such as Filevine.
• Experience with lead generation systems such as Lead Docket.
• Experience in Customer Service via in-person and over the phone, while monitoring and diffusing escalated issues. 
• Experience talking on the phone regularly and corresponding through email with a professional and confident tone.

Education / Certifications / Other Qualifications / Success Traits 

Required:

• Must have a High School Diploma or Equivalent.
• Ensure Accountability: Takes responsibility for their work and the performance of the firm. Owns commitments and shows a willingness to answer for their actions without being defensive or shifting blame.
• Client Focus: Intentionally seeks to understand Client needs. Proactively identifies opportunities to serve or create a benefit to the Client. Looks to exceed Client expectations by creating delight. Establishes and maintains effective Client relationships.
• Situational Adaptability: Rebounds from setbacks vs. emotionally responding with drama. Is confident under pressure. Handles or manages change or crises effectively. Maintains a positive attitude despite adversity. Grows from hardships and negative experiences. Action Oriented: Readily takes action on challenges, without unnecessary delay. Identifies and seizes new opportunities. Displays a can-do attitude in good and bad times. Steps up to handle tough issues without avoidance. 

Preferred:

•  Secondary education, bachelor’s degree preferred, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Success Measures / KPIs

• Orders 90% of body-cam and dash-cam footage within 48 hours of the client hiring our Firm.
• Orders 100% of warrants/citations within 48 hours of the client hiring the firm, if not already pre-ordered before the potential client meeting.
• Ensures 90% of all case files are assembled (digitally and physically) 48 hours post-client hiring our firm.
• Ensures 100% of necessary expungements are submitted within 5 days after the attorney's request.
• Ensures 90% of necessary, additional documents have been added to the case file within 24 hours of client or attorney notification.
• Ensures 100% of the Family Law cases have active billing.