Legal Assistant - Suffolk

DHRM•Suffolk, VA

10d

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 Suffolk Public Defender Office provides dedicated, compassionate, client-based, and community-embedded representation for indigent clients. It is accepting applications for 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 Suffolk Office and is employed at-will. The Legal Assistant welcomes people entering the office; operates a multi-line telephone system; screens and forwards calls; provides information, takes messages, and schedules appointments; types, edits, and reviews correspondence and legal documents; maintains filing and record-keeping systems; and handles incoming and outgoing mail. The role involves communication with office colleagues, clients, and judicial system personnel. Employment is contingent upon successfully completing a fingerprint-based criminal background check. Authorization to work in the United States is a precondition of employment; the agency uses E-Verify and does not provide sponsorship.

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 is a condition of employment.
Authorization to work in the United States is required; sponsorship is not provided.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience within the criminal justice legal system will be strongly considered.
Experience working in a law firm or in the Virginia court system will be strongly considered.

Responsibilities

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 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.