Legal Assistant - Hampton

Virginia Information Technologies Agency•Hampton, VA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Virginia Indigent Defense Commission (VIDC), a Commonwealth of Virginia independent agency, is dedicated to protecting and defending clients’ rights through zealous, compassionate, high-quality legal advocacy. The Hampton Public Defender Office provides dedicated, compassionate, client-based, and community-embedded representation to indigent clients. It is hiring a Legal Assistant to provide administrative and clerical support to attorneys, investigators, and mitigation specialists. The position reports to the Chief Public Defender of the Hampton Office and is employed at-will. The role includes welcoming visitors, operating and screening a multi-line telephone system, scheduling appointments, preparing and reviewing correspondence and legal documents, maintaining filing and records systems, handling mail, and communicating with office colleagues, clients, and judicial system personnel. Employment is contingent upon a successful fingerprint-based criminal background check. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States; the agency uses E-Verify and does not provide sponsorship. The position qualifies for Public Service Loan Forgiveness depending on the applicant’s loan type.

Requirements

Working knowledge of office practices and procedures, including creating and editing letters, memos, and legal documents.
Experience using Microsoft applications, specifically Word and Excel.
Familiarity with Google Suite applications, including Gmail and Google Docs.
Experience creating and managing electronic and manual filing systems.
Keyboarding skills.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, team-driven environment.
Ability to communicate effectively and compassionately with clients, their support networks, and other participants in the legal system.
Successful completion of a fingerprint-based criminal background check.
Authorization to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience within the criminal justice legal system.
Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Responsibilities

Greet persons entering the Public Defender Office and operate a multi-line telephone system.
Screen and forward calls, provide information to callers, take messages, and schedule appointments.
Type, edit, and review memos, letters, and various legal documents.
Maintain filing and record-keeping systems.
Collect, sort, distribute, and prepare mail.
Communicate and interact with Public Defender Office colleagues, clients, and judicial system personnel.
Provide administrative and clerical support to attorneys, investigators, and mitigation specialists.