Legal Assistant - Newport News

Virginia Information Technologies Agency•Newport News, VA

About The Position

The Virginia Indigent Defense Commission (VIDC) is a Commonwealth of Virginia independent agency dedicated to protecting and defending clients’ rights through zealous, compassionate, high-quality legal advocacy. The Newport News Public Defender Office provides dedicated, compassionate, client-based, community-embedded representation to indigent clients. The Legal Assistant provides administrative and clerical support to attorneys, investigators, and mitigation specialists in the office. The position reports to the Chief Public Defender of the Newport News Office and is employed at-will. The role involves greeting visitors, operating a multi-line telephone system, screening and forwarding calls, providing information, taking messages, and scheduling appointments. The Legal Assistant types, edits, and reviews memoranda, letters, and legal documents; maintains filing and record-keeping systems; and collects, sorts, distributes, and prepares mail. The role also requires communication and interaction with office colleagues, clients, and judicial system personnel. Employment is contingent on successfully completing a fingerprint-based criminal background check. Authorization to work in the United States is a precondition of employment. The position qualifies for Public Service Loan Forgiveness depending on the type of loan.

Requirements

Working knowledge of office practices and procedures, including creating and editing letters, memoranda, 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, and 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 ability in English and Spanish.

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 memoranda, 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.