Legal Assistant - Franklin/Smithfield

DHRM•Franklin, VA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Virginia Indigent Defense Commission (VIDC) is seeking a Legal Assistant for the Smithfield Public Defender Office. This administrative position will provide essential support to attorneys, investigators, and mitigation specialists. The VIDC is committed to protecting and defending the rights of clients through zealous, compassionate, high-quality legal advocacy. The Smithfield Public Defender Office is dedicated to providing representation for indigent clients. This role reports to the Chief Public Defender of the Smithfield Office and is employed at-will.

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 an electronic and manual filing system.
Skills in keyboarding.
Ability to communicate 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 as well as their support networks and other participants in the legal system.
Being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience within the criminal justice system will be strongly considered.
Candidates who are bilingual in English and Spanish will be strongly considered.

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.