Legal Assistant - Bedford

DHRM•Bedford, VA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Virginia Indigent Defense Commission (VIDC) is seeking a Legal Assistant for the Bedford Public Defender Office. This role provides essential administrative and clerical support to attorneys, investigators, and mitigation specialists. The VIDC is dedicated to protecting clients' rights through zealous, compassionate, and high-quality legal advocacy. The Bedford Public Defender Office is committed to providing dedicated, compassionate, client-based, and community-embedded representation. The Legal Assistant will be responsible for greeting visitors, managing a multi-line phone system, screening calls, providing information, taking messages, and scheduling appointments. Duties also include typing, editing, and reviewing various legal documents, maintaining filing and record-keeping systems, and handling mail. The position involves communication with colleagues, clients, and judicial system personnel. The VIDC is committed to inclusive hiring and encourages applicants of all identities, cultures, backgrounds, and experiences.

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, Google Docs, etc.
Experience creating and managing electronic and manual filing systems.
Skills in keyboarding.
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 both effectively and compassionately with clients, their support networks, and other participants in the legal system.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Greeting persons entering the Public Defender Office and operating a multi-line telephone system.
Screening and forwarding calls, providing information to callers, taking messages, and scheduling appointments.
Typing, editing, and reviewing memos, letters, and various types of legal documents.
Maintaining a filing and record-keeping system.
Collecting, sorting, distributing, and preparing mail.
Communicating and interacting with public defender office colleagues, clients, and judicial system personnel.