Legal Assistant (CS/TLT/SDA)

King County • Seattle, WA

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

The King County Department of Public Defense (DPD) is seeking applicants for Legal Assistant positions across its four divisions. These roles require good independent judgment and the ability to apply office guidelines, legal procedures, work methods, court rules, and applicable laws. This recruitment will fill current vacancies as Career Service, Term-Limited Temporary (TLT), or Special Duty Assignments (SDA) and will establish an eligibility pool for vacancies over the next six months. DPD provides legal representation to indigent clients in various case types and advocates to reduce the harm of legal systems and address systemic racism. DPD fosters an inclusive, respectful, and supportive workplace culture based on an anti-oppression framework.

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience as an office or administrative assistant.
• Must be able to lift/move up to 20-pound boxes.
• Must have a Washington State Driver's License or ability to travel to required destinations around King County.
• Knowledge of spelling, grammar, and vocabulary.
• Proficiency in advanced office equipment and software programs.
• Knowledge of legal procedures, work methods, court rules, and applicable laws.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service, including communicating with people of diverse backgrounds who may be experiencing stress, trauma, and/or mental illness.
• Ability to use office productivity tools such as Microsoft Office 365 (Excel, Word, and Outlook), document management, and Internet search engines.
• Ability to apply procedures, policies, and guidelines.
• Ability to adapt to ever-changing work needs and requirements.
• Ability to learn new and/or increasingly complex duties.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, multifaceted environment with high attention to detail.
• Must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite.

Nice To Haves

• Prior work in a legal setting and criminal legal system is a plus.
• Lived experience involving the criminal legal system.
• Knowledge of Superior Court Management Information System (SCOMIS), Judicial Information System (JIS), and Electronic Case Records (ECR).
• Fluency in a foreign language.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced administrative duties, both in-office and remotely, including word processing of complex and confidential materials, requiring independent judgment and initiative.
• Identify prior division involvement with individuals in discovery and provide detailed descriptions to attorneys for conflict analysis.
• Open and distribute cases to assigned attorneys.
• Maintain the Master Court Calendar with supervisor and attorney supervisor.
• Verify monthly reports, close client case files, and process closed files daily.
• Obtain criminal history information from jails or prisons via telephone, email, or regular mail.
• Maintain professional and accurate records, both in-office and remotely, including confidential reports and information in electronic and written formats.
• Accurately docket and enter case assignment information following case management system procedures.
• Process debits and credits daily into the case management system.
• Request case credit and assignments from the Director's Office.
• Provide excellent customer service as the first point of contact for DPD clients, both in-office and remotely.
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity when engaging with a diverse population.
• Use professional communication skills and empathy with clients, many of whom may suffer from trauma and/or mental illness.
• Answer and return calls reliably, providing authentic support and assistance.
• Monitor and respond to voicemail and email messages.
• Greet clients and visitors, ensuring they are comfortable and connected with the correct personnel.
• Provide clear and reassuring communication to DPD clients.
• Request discovery from other agencies.
• Review case assignments with the attorney supervisor.
• Organize office supplies.

Benefits

• Pension plan
• Holidays
• Transit pass
• Training and education opportunities
• Paid sick and vacation leave
• Medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, life and disability insurance for employees and dependents
• Retirement and deferred compensation

What This Job Offers

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