LEGAL ASSISTANT II

Thurston County•Olympia, WA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Thurston County Public Defense (TCPD) is currently recruiting for one (1) regular full-time Legal Assistant II in the Superior Court Unit. A Legal Assistant II provides assistance in explaining detailed regulations, procedures, and complex requirements within the legal or judicial system. This position supports Defense Attorneys and researches and answers questions or inquiries from the public, law enforcement, or other agencies. Immediate placement for this position will be in the Superior Court Unit. Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following: Provides direct legal support to Defense Attorneys that are representing clients in Superior Court. Court calendar preparation. Processes requests of information, faxes, and other case related documentation. Receives, monitors, and processes case files and legal documents and maintains records. Reviews incoming documents and processes according to procedures. Files and records legal documents, obtains required signature sand authorizations, maintains case files, and records dates on which subsequent actions must occur. Verifies appropriate information is included on paperwork or in file to ensure accurate processing. Verifies the accuracy/completeness of legal documents identifying inconsistency with statutes and provides technical information for compliance. Enter and retrieves case information using the appropriate computer-based data system. Sets up and monitors casefiles to assure timely action or review. Reviews and inputs pertinent case information into database. Identifies appropriate RCWs, court rules and procedures before entering judgments. Tracks, updates, logs and monitors activities of cases. May prepare reports requiring the extraction of database information and provides information to affiliated agencies for program compliance. Provides and requests information to and from agencies and other jurisdictions requesting specific defendant information and case disposition. Tracks and monitors files as prescribed and closes, purges and archives files according to policies and procedures. Obtains and prepares case files for court sessions ensuring appropriate documentation is in the files and may be requested to attend and assist attorneys in court. Using a word processor, generates basic legal documents for court proceedings according to established formats, policies, and procedures. Prepares responses to legal correspondence either from dictation, oral instruction or independently.

Requirements

Must have a high school diploma or GED.
Associate degree in legal assistant or paralegal studies, or legal-related studies, and/or Paralegal certificate from an accredited program.
Or, four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in a legal-related field, which include two years in a Legal Assistant I level position; or any combination of education and relevant experience which demonstrates the ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the position.
Must be able to type 60 words per minute.
Current Washington State Driver's license, or have requested and obtained an appropriate accommodation, may be required.

Responsibilities

Provides direct legal support to Defense Attorneys that are representing clients in Superior Court.
Court calendar preparation.
Processes requests of information, faxes, and other case related documentation.
Receives, monitors, and processes case files and legal documents and maintains records.
Enters and retrieves case information using the appropriate computer-based data system.
Obtains and prepares case files for court sessions ensuring appropriate documentation is in the files and may be requested to attend and assist attorneys in court.
Using a word processor, generates basic legal documents for court proceedings according to established formats, policies, and procedures.