Legal Assistant 4

Pierce County•Tacoma, WA

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position is on-site. However, there can be up to one day per week of working from home after probation, and subject to approval from Supervisor. This is a highly responsible, supervisory role within the Department of Assigned Counsel. As an experienced legal professional, you will supervise a small team of legal support staff and act as the primary administrative support to an Assistant Chief Deputy Attorney. You are responsible for directing the workflow and overseeing delegations of duties for the legal assistants in the division. You will work with attorneys, court staff, clients, and other community stakeholders, so excellent communication, confidentiality, and professionalism is required. This is meaningful work that directly impacts those in our community navigating the legal system. The Department of Assigned Counsel (DAC) is responsible for the delivery of mandated legal services to indigent persons accused of crimes in the Pierce County Superior Court; Pierce County District Court; Municipal Court of Tacoma; and Pierce County Juvenile Court proceedings. DAC also provides constitutionally mandated legal services to persons detained for Involuntary Civil commitment proceedings at Western State Hospital, and other evaluation and treatment facilities, and a limited number of participants in Dependency proceedings. The mission of the Department of Assigned Counsel is to provide and administer the public defense delivery system in Pierce County in a manner that assures eligible people receive professional and effective representation while efficiently utilizing public resources.

Requirements

Four or more years of responsible experience as a legal assistant, legal secretary, or related legal staff support function.
One or more years in a supervisory/lead position.
Upload a substantive cover letter and a resume
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Training by an accredited vocational school, college, or university in the field of legal support work or related area is preferred.
Experience and/or education in the field of Criminal Justice preferred.

Responsibilities

Supervises and coordinates activities of legal support workers.
Determines work schedules and determines methods of expediting workflow.
Issues instructions and oversees work for exactness, neatness and conformance to procedures and policies.
Provides legal information and advice, prepares legal papers and correspondence of legal nature.
Investigates grievances involving subordinates and recommends resolutions; recommends promotional and disciplinary actions; approves leave requests and overtime; schedules vacations to assume adequate coverage for maintenance of production standards.
Prepares appraisals to evaluate performance of subordinates; establishes standards of performance for each class of positions being supervised.
Consults with management regarding legal support needs; attends staff meetings; makes recommendations regarding budget requirements for the unit such as staffing, equipment, etc.
Provides information and advice concerning specialized or technical services rendered and related office functions, including responses to difficult problems and questions raised by the public served or by subordinates.
Composes management correspondence and routine letters in reply to correspondence concerning legal proceedings, court information or other informational requests.
Reads incoming letters and gathers data to formulate reply.
May complete form letters or dictate reply.
Composes memos to inform department staff of policy or procedural changes.