Legal Assistant, Criminal Appeals

State of South Carolina • Richland County, SC

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, performs legal administrative duties on behalf of the assigned attorney or the section. Duties include preparing, processing, and maintaining legal documents, mail, and other records. Responsible for administrative details normally handled by the attorney. Prepares routine correspondence and pleadings for the review and signature of attorneys. Creates and maintains standard form documents of legal correspondence and pleadings. Proofreads and processes attorney work product at the direction of assigned attorneys and section supervisor. This entails making copies, both physically and digitally, of prepared and signed documents and ensuring physical and/or electronic mail service is completed, as directed. Processes and distributes incoming mail. Manually updates mail logs, calendars, case management system, and document management system. Physically delivers incoming mail to attorneys and delivers outgoing mail to appropriate pick-up point. Promptly advises victim’s advocate division of any development and/or status of assigned cases by promptly updating case management system. Assists with telephone reception in the Section; screens and transfers calls appropriately. Manually prepares written messages and personally delivers them when appropriate or necessary. Maintains current knowledge and/or information regarding legal formats, points of contact, addresses, etc. to ensure efficient and proper handling of assigned work. Promptly files all documents in the appropriate case files, maintains case files in an orderly manner in the file room, and closes files promptly. This entails physically inserting and removing material in the files and the taking of closed files to the file coordinator. The ability to lift and shelve physical files with or without reasonable accommodation is required. Handling reasonable requests or tasks as required by the administrative coordinator or the section supervisor, including auditing physical and digital files upon request and maintaining spreadsheets in Microsoft Excel. Acts as a representative for the assigned attorneys in communications with public officials, including solicitors, judges, court staff, private individuals, including attorneys, and victims; and governmental agencies.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and meaningful exposure to legal or administrative work, OR a high school diploma and four years of legal or administrative experience.
• Frequent stooping and/or bending.
• Frequent lifting: 25 lbs.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of the principles, policies, and practices of office management.
• Knowledge of applicable terminology.
• Knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, policies, and organizational functions.
• Ability to effectively plan and organize work activities and prioritize task completion according to schedules and goals.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in interpreting and applying policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Preparing, processing, and maintaining legal documents, mail, and other records.
• Preparing routine correspondence and pleadings for attorney review.
• Creating and maintaining standard form documents of legal correspondence and pleadings.
• Proofreading and processing attorney work product, including making physical and digital copies.
• Ensuring physical and/or electronic mail service is completed.
• Processing and distributing incoming mail.
• Manually updating mail logs, calendars, case management system, and document management system.
• Physically delivering incoming mail to attorneys and outgoing mail to pick-up points.
• Advising victim’s advocate division of case developments and status.
• Assisting with telephone reception, screening, and transferring calls.
• Preparing and delivering written messages.
• Maintaining knowledge of legal formats, points of contact, and addresses.
• Filing documents, maintaining case files, and closing files promptly.
• Auditing physical and digital files and maintaining spreadsheets in Microsoft Excel.
• Acting as a representative for attorneys in communications with public officials, private individuals, and governmental agencies.

Benefits

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility.
• Paid parental leave.
• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouses, and children.
• Fifteen days of annual (vacation) leave per year.
• Fifteen days of sick leave per year.
• Thirteen paid holidays.
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level