Legal Secretary

Our Mission

To Provide the Most Compassionate and Expert Defense of Clients and the Constitution

Creating Expert Teams of Advocates for Justice, Bringing Respect and Dignity to our Clients to Achieve Holistic and Equitable Outcomes

Our work changes lives! OPD’s work makes a difference for the people in our communities. Public Defenders work for their clients, protect constitutional rights, and ensure the system remains fair. We are proud of the work we do. To find out more about OPD visit our website.

The ability to work and play in the beautiful state of Montana is one of the benefits you will love about this opportunity! Montana offers theaters, museums, fairs, rodeos, a high-quality educational system, and many recreational opportunities. Montana's mountains, rivers, and lakes provide year-round opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Fishing, hiking, camping, boating, biking, hunting, skiing, and snowmobiling can be accessed throughout our great state.

• Health coverage
• Retirement plans
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Work/life balance
• Flexible schedules
• Opportunities and room for professional growth
• Telework (when applicable)
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness - Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive public service loan forgiveness – visit the Federal Student Aid website to learn more!

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• References: Please provide contact information for (2) current or former supervisors and (1) professional peer.

The Legal Secretary is instrumental in ensuring the effective operations of the Appellate Defender Division by performing a variety of high level administrative and office support activities. This position’s responsibilities are to ensure the smooth and effective operations of the office which include but are not limited to data input and maintaining files, scheduling appointments, providing correspondence, assisting clients and office staff with information requests, and ensuring that all court requirements are met.

A Legal Secretary provides exceptional customer services to all clients, courts and internal customers in support of the Appellate Defender Division and reports to the Office Manager.

• Opens, maintains, closes, and destroys client and matter files in the Agency’s case management system pursuant to statutory requirements, the Montana Rules of Appellate Procedure, and all Division and Agency policies and procedures. Ensures files are complete, up-to-date and in proper format.
• With direction and upon approval of Appellate Division Administrator, drafts and edits pleadings and all appropriate opening case documents necessary for perfecting an appeal, obtaining transcripts, and pursuing the appeal, including Notices of Appeal, Petitions for Out-of-Time Appeals, Requests for Production of Transcripts, and Motions for Extensions of Time in accordance with the Montana Rules of Appellate Procedure and Division and Agency policies and procedures.
• Coordinates with official court reporters and clerks of court statewide for production and delivery of appellate record. Reviews record of lower court proceedings, including the district court record and transcript, for completeness. Retrieves legal documents, records, and transcripts as necessary.
• Proofreads, edits, and formats draft appellate briefs, motions, declarations/affidavits, petitions, responses, and correspondence in accordance with the Montana Rules of Appellate Procedure, if applicable, and Division and Agency policies and procedures.
• Electronically files completed and approved briefs, motions, and other pleadings.
• Prints, binds, and submits required copies of appellate briefs for filing in the Montana Supreme Court.
• Arranges for delivery of legal and other correspondence to clients, attorneys, and court officials, and personnel and routes correspondence received to the appropriate Division personnel.
• Manages and responds to information…