Legal Support Specialist

Public Defender Position

Provides legal secretarial support to the legal staff within the Public Defender's Office.

Essential Job Functions:

• Answers and directs telephone calls.
• Reviews incoming legal cases and documents for completeness and accuracy.
• Prepares a variety of legal pleadings and correspondence to clients as directed by an attorney; submits to an attorney for review.
• Processes all documents for court and legal action.
• Maintains daily dockets for annual statistical reports.
• Schedules pen calls for attorney staff to speak to clients for the preparation of trials.
• Assembles all necessary case materials for an attorney in preparation for court.
• Creates and maintains case files; updates narrative as the case progresses; enters case information into the appropriate database.
• Prepares routine correspondence as assigned.
• Provides information concerning case status to clients; answers questions from the general public.
• Copies, files, and processes documents following office procedures.
• Transcribes hearings, abstracts, and briefs.
• Conducts research as requested by legal staff; reports findings in written or verbal form.

Secondary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Performs other related duties as required.

Personnel Supervised: None

Working Conditions:

Work is performed primarily in a smoking-restricted office environment.

Minimum Qualifications:

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

• Good knowledge of the responsibilities and services provided by the Public Defender's Office.
• Considerable knowledge of the preparation and maintenance of court dockets, legal documents, and case files.
• Considerable knowledge of office practices, procedures, equipment, and terminology.
• Good knowledge of filing and record-keeping systems.
• Some knowledge of laws and policies that govern the functions of the Public Defender's Office.
• Ability to maintain detailed accurate record-keeping systems.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
• Ability to handle confidential materials in a reliable manner.
• Ability to prepare narrative and informational reports.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
• Ability to maintain detailed record keeping.
• Ability to prepare numerical reports.
• Ability to attend work regularly and reliably.
• Skill in the operation of a computer.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to communicate orally in person and by telephone.
• Digital dexterity is needed for keyboard operation.
• Visual acuity is necessary for the use of a computer screen.

Education and Experience:

Completion of high school or GED equivalency; considerable clerical work experience with customer service or record-keeping in a legal, court system, or related area; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities.