Legal Secretary

Job Details

Job Location
:
Lamont Office - Lamont, CA 93241

Position Type
:
Full Time

Salary Range
: $22.56 - $34.41 Hourly

WHO WE ARE: California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. (CRLA) is an anti-poverty law firm that dismantles unjust systems through community lawyering in California’s historically rural areas. We work with people priced out of private legal representation so they can uphold civil rights in housing, employment, health, and public education. Through our 17 Rural Justice Centers, communities can access a broad range of legal tools, including direct legal services, place-based advocacy to expand equity in civic institutions, and specialized litigation to advance civil rights.

• Position:
  Legal Secretary
• Experience:
  
  1 + years of experience as a Legal Secretary or equivalent experience providing administrative support
• Final date to receive applications:
  Open until filled
• Location:
  
  Lamont Office
• Other: FLSA Non-Exempt, Union Position, Full-Time

Reporting to the Program Director, the Legal Secretary provides secretarial support to Indigenous Justice Program and Lamont Office staff, including attorneys and community workers. The Legal Secretary manages communication, correspondence, typing legal documents, filing, travel, calendar, and general organizational matters within the Indigenous Justice Program. Also responsible for managing legal expenditures; minimal coordination of litigation with outside counsel; and maintaining/organizing records of litigated and transaction matters.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Drafts a variety of legal correspondence, forms, petitions, pleadings, motions, and discovery and informational material.
• Types, reviews, and independently composes outgoing correspondence to ensure all legal documents/enclosures are in proper processing order and that correspondence is grammatically correct.
• Files documents with the court and stay updated with changes in local court rules and procedural requirements for litigation.
• Maintains records relating to legal matters in process and ensures that legal requirements and deadlines are met.
• Performs various responsible secretarial duties such as setting up and/or maintaining filing systems and appointment calendars, answering inquiries over the phone or in person, and managing secretarial and administrative details with minimum direction.
• Operates a variety of office machines.
• Input case and project information into CMS, including time records, calendaring, and other information as directed.
• Provides support to and works closely with the IJPTeam as needed.
• Assists with library maintenance.
• Performs other normal law office duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• At least one year of legal secretarial experience or equivalent.
• Type 55-60 w.p.m.
• Knowledge of computer software, including, but not limited to, Microsoft Windows.
• Word Perfect, Microsoft Office Suite, Table of Authorities, Internet & email skills.
• Ability to learn data entry and correctly enter information into CRLA’s case management system.
• Knowledge of or ability to learn and obtain proficiency in all office equipment functions such as copiers, fax, and scanners.
• Ability to work collaboratively with all CRLA staff, clients, and community organizations.
• Ability to maintain client confidentiality at all times.
• Bilingual (English & Spanish).

Preferred Education and Experience--A highly qualified and desirable candidate would also have the following:

• Experience working with low-income families and communities.
• Experience in a non-profit legal services environment.
• Prior experience in legal services.

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

We offer a diverse, family-friendly environment and compensation based on competitive public interest salaries; generous benefits package which includes 100% employer-covered medical, dental, vision, life, and short & long-term disability insurance for employees and up to 50% for dependents coverage; and 401K retirement plan with CRLA contribution effective immediately.…