Legal Assistant - Newport News

DHRM • Newport News, VA

2d

About The Position

The Virginia Indigent Defense Commission (VIDC) is a Commonwealth of Virginia independent agency dedicated to defending clients’ rights through zealous, compassionate, high-quality legal advocacy. The Newport News Public Defender Office provides dedicated, client-based, community-embedded representation for indigent clients and 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 Newport News Office and is employed at-will.

The Legal Assistant greets office visitors, operates a multi-line telephone system, screens and forwards calls, provides information, takes messages, and schedules appointments. The role also involves typing, editing, and reviewing correspondence and legal documents; maintaining filing and record-keeping systems; handling mail; and communicating with colleagues, clients, and judicial-system personnel.

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.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative and clerical support to attorneys, investigators, and mitigation specialists.
• Greet people 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 legal documents.
• Maintain filing and record-keeping systems.
• Collect, sort, distribute, and prepare mail.
• Communicate and interact with office colleagues, clients, and judicial-system personnel.

Benefits

• State benefits
• The position may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, depending on the type of loan.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed