Legal Secretary ; Program

The work involves responsibility for the performance of secretarial functions and routine legal clerical tasks designed to assist a staff of attorneys in the Law Department, a Legal Division, or the District Attorney’s Office. An employee in this class prepares and types confidential legal documents including briefs, petitions, motions, orders, opinions, notices, and other legal correspondence. The work is performed in accordance with general instructions regarding objectives, policies, and procedures.

Supervision is not a function of this class. General supervision is received from an attorney or administrator. Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

Prepares and types general and legal correspondence, briefs, petitions, statements, reports, and various other legal documents.

Maintains confidential, litigation, and general office files.

Proofreads completed work to ensure quality and accuracy.

Answers telephone calls, takes messages and responds to requests for routine information in accordance with departmental procedures.

Schedules meetings, hearings, and court dates for attorneys and maintains appointment calendar.

Acts as receptionist for attorney, greeting visitors and scheduling appointments.

Prepares routine legal forms and memos.

Performs related clerical duties.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Good knowledge of legal terminology, the general course of legal proceedings, and legal forms.

Good knowledge of law office practices and procedures.

Good knowledge of the functions and capabilities of word processing equipment and software for legal documents.

Ability to understand and carry out complex written and oral instructions.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with attorneys, clients, other employees, and the general public.

Ability to prepare routine letters, memoranda, and legal forms.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Promotion:

• Three (3) years of permanent competitive class status in the title of Typist I in the District Attorney’s Office or the Law Department; or,
• Two (2) years of permanent competitive class status in the title of Typist II in the District Attorney’s Office or the Law Department.

Open Competitive:

• Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with a Bachelor’s degree and six months of work experience, or its part time equivalent, in a legal environment, which must have included typing or word processing of letters and documents, or six months of work experience which included reviewing and processing legal documents such as contracts;
  
  or,
• Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with an Associate’s Degree and one (1) year of work experience, or its part time equivalent, in a legal environment, which must have included typing or word processing of letters and documents, or one (1) year of work experience which included reviewing and processing legal documents such as contracts;
  
  or,
• Three (3) years of work experience, or its part time equivalent, which must have included typing or word processing of letters and documents, one (1) year which must have been in a legal environment or one (1) year of work experience which included reviewing and processing legal documents such as contracts; or,
• An equivalent combination of education and experience as described in A, B or
  
  C.

Special Note :

Possession of a Paralegal Certification will be deemed equivalent to one (1) year of work experience, or its part time equivalent, in a legal environment .