Administrative Legal Secretary

WHO WE ARE:

California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. (CRLA) is an anti-poverty law firm dedicated to dismantling unjust systems through community lawyering in California’s historically rural areas. For over five decades, we have partnered with communities priced out of private legal representation to uphold civil rights in housing, employment, health, and public education. Building on a radical legacy rooted in the farm worker movement and the War on Poverty, CRLA continues to fight for the rights and prosperity of rural Californians through bold advocacy, systemic change, and a vision of thriving, empowered communities.

CRLA’s community-led legal services activate community power to achieve justice, ensuring our clients and partners have the tools to dismantle poverty, discrimination, and systemic inequities.

Position:
Administrative Legal Secretary

Experience:

1 + years of experience as a Legal Secretary or equivalent experience providing administrative support

Application Deadline:
Open until filled

Location:

Salinas Other: FLSA Non-Exempt, Union Position, Full Time (37.5hrs per week)
The Administrative Legal Secretary (ALS) manages all communications, correspondence, typing of legal documents, filing, travel, calendar, and general organizational matters within the local office. The ALS is also responsible for managing legal expenditures, minimal litigation coordination with outside counsel, maintaining/organizing records of litigated and transaction matters, and vendor, supplier, and other office contracts.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Maintains all duties of the Legal Secretary position

Assist with the new applicant and client intake process

Maintain the court and appointment calendar

Assure that legal deadlines are met in the processing of legal documents

Maintain/archive confidential client files, and arrange for confidential document destruction as directed

Administer petty cash and clients' trust accounts as needed

Serve as coordinator of the office, training and coordinating the office clerical staff

Delegate tasks to other clerical staff, coordinate clerical and litigation support responsibilities

Assist in the interviewing and selection of clerical staff

Disseminate information from statewide ALS meetings

Maintain statistical records as required, creates and produces reports using Legal Server Maintain office administrative and personnel files

Order and maintain office equipment and supplies as needed

Coordinate building maintenance, process invoices, bills, statements, and check requests as needed

Assist off-site IT personnel with the local provision of tech support

Perform other office duties as assigned, including

Qualifications:

Three (3) years of experience as a Legal Secretary or equivalent experience providing administrative support

Ability to work independently and collaboratively with all staff, clients, and community organizations

Type 55-60 wpm, efficiently and correctly into the case management system

Knowledgeable with Windows/Microsoft Office, Internet and willing to learn Legal Server and web-based programs

Knowledgeable of office equipment such as copiers, facsimile machines, and scanners

Ability to maintain client confidentiality of personnel and administrative records

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Knowledge of law office management

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…