Legal Assistant I

General Summary

This generous Ada County Total Rewards package increases the base salary by approximately 40 percent.

Essential Functions

• Assists attorneys in the preparation of files for litigation;
• Researches files for information;
• Enters required data from cases into a computer database;
• Corresponds with appropriate law enforcement agencies to receive needed information;
• Prepares legal documents, including correspondence, pleadings and discoveries;
• Processes criminal complaints, warrants, subpoenas and legal documents;
• Proofreads briefs and other material for accuracy, completeness, grammar and punctuation;
• Writes draft pleadings and agreements based upon the general instruction of the attorney;
• Manages calendaring system for attorneys of court appearances, deadline attentions, interviews and appointments, creates ticklers for case files;
• Schedules hearings, meetings, and appointments with witnesses, courts and other individuals as required;
• Sorts files and indexes office records, legal documents, library materials and case materials;
• Manages calendaring system, creates ticklers for case files, and pulls appropriate files;
• Tracks assigned cases to assist the attorney with court case management and to help assure events are accomplished in the proper sequence and in the proper timeframe;
• Maintains reference files and associated logs;
• Creates jury lists;
• Files necessary documents with the appropriate authority (agency, District Court, Court of Appeals, etc.); an
• Answers written and verbal inquiries for routine information.

• Acts as receptionist when needed;
• Prepares and processes retainers, extraditions, habeas corpus documents and fugitive warrant cases;
• Prepares travel arrangements and expense vouchers for motels, airline tickets, mileage and meals for witnesses;
• Drafts and prepares probation violation pleadings;
• As required, provides clerical assistance to other departmental offices (i.e., Civil, Juvenile and Magistrate); and
• Performs related work as required.

Job Requirements

• Associate's degree in paralegal studies, criminal justice, business administration, public administration or related field;
• Previous general experience in public administration, professional law office, or public safety agency performing advanced administrative support duties, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience;
• A typing speed of 55-60 WPM;
• Knowledge of business English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and arithmetic;
• Knowledge of modern office equipment, practices and procedures;
• Knowledge of legal terminology and legal forms, methods and procedures and rules of the court preferred;
• Intermediate to advanced skill in Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Outlook and PowerPoint, experience with Adobe or PDF editing software preferred;
• Skill in the operation of a personal computer;
• Ability to type from rough draft copy at a high rate of speed and accuracy;
• Ability to prepare accurate reports from statistical or legal information;
• Ability to prepare effective correspondence on routine matters;
• Ability to work in a team environment;
• Ability to be flexible in responding to a variety of requests;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, members of other agencies and the general public;
• Ability to interact with the general public, some of whom may be irate or under stress, in a tactful and courteous manner;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

• The incumbent is subject to a criminal records check and fingerprinting;
• Must adhere to the Code of Ethics set for the legal profession;
• The incumbent will work closely with law enforcement and court personnel.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Work is performed primarily in an office environment and the employee in this class is subject to inside environmental conditions;
• May be required to lift up to 10 lbs.;
• Requires sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, which permits the employee to function in a general office environment to accomplish tasks.