Legal Assistant

The Earl Carl Institute is seeking a skilled and experienced legal assistant to support our legal team using their work experience and organizational skills to prepare and maintain legal documents, file motions,legal briefs, interview clients and witnesses, and conduct legal research.

Essential Duties Summary

* Serves as point of contact for the assigned area and answers routine and complex questions

concerning department activities and operations. Screens and directs telephone calls and

visitors to appropriate person(s). Takes messages as necessary.

* Assists with the coordination and tracking of pending assignments, requests for information

from internal and external contacts, and scheduling of appointments.

* May independently troubleshoot and resolve complex issues related to a diverse client base,

as appropriate. Organizes, screens, and responds to requests for assistance from the

Innocence Project, and assists in investigation, case preparation, and litigation as needed.

* Provides diverse and complex administrative support to the Innocence Project staff by

drafting, typing, editing and proofing complex academic and legal documents and

correspondence related service and administrative operations to include but not limited to,

client and other legal letters, legal memoranda, pleadings and other research and writing,

scholarly papers, PowerPoint and other presentations, email, drafting of internal/external

correspondence in accordance with appropriate writing and citation standards.

* May assist with research or involved in research/legal activities such as locating and compiling

internet information, compiling demographics, generating charts, graphs and statistics using

software, or gathering and preparing documents for hearings, trials, and submissions to

courts, administrative agencies, or fact-finders.

* Makes copies of and scan correspondence or other printed materials and operates a variety

of standard office equipment. Prepares outgoing mail, correspondence, and communication,

including e-mail and faxes. Sorts and distributes incoming mail. Orders and maintains

supplies and arranges for equipment maintenance and repair. Selects and recommends

purchases of appropriate office supplies and equipment.

% FTE

1.0

Hiring Range $40,613.11-$51,781.72 Education

Required:

Some college or Associate Degree (A.A.) and/or vocational or technical school and/or specialized training or certification

Preferred:

Bachelors degree

Required Licensing/Certification

Preferred:

Completion of Legal Secretary, Paralegal Training Certificate.

Microsoft Office Suite Certification.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

* Federal, State, Local, and County laws

* Policies, procedures, and practices

* Specialized practices, equipment and procedures

* Blackboard, WESTLAW, LEXIS/NEXIS and HEIN Online or similar.

* Microsoft Office Professional or similar applications

Skill in:

* Excellent both verbal and written communication

* Project management, time, and organizational skills

* Excellent customer service

* Critical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making

* Strong analytical skills

* Coordinating work of others

* Strong writing skills are a given, considering the need for them to create papers and articles on

* their research results that clearly and concisely convey their findings

Ability to:

* Work with students in a learning environment

* Work effectively and efficiently under pressure is essential

* Use job related software such as, but not limited to, Lexis/Nexis, Westlaw and legal databases

* Work independently

* Communicate effectively

Work Experience

Preferred:

* Strong organizational skills be detail-oriented and to work independently and take assigned projects to completion.

* Must be familiar with legal terminology and legal citation references such as the Bluebook

(current edition) and/or other job-related reference

Working/Environmental Conditions

Prolonged standing and/or walking.

Handling light weight objects.

Using or carrying equipment.

Desired start date Position End Date (if temporary)