Judicial Assistant - Part-Time

Montgomery County; Norristown (GA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

Montgomery County is seeking a Judicial Assistant to work in a judge’s chambers within the Courthouse. Daily duties include processing legal documents, scheduling matters, and providing secretarial support to the law clerk, with a high degree of confidentiality.

Responsibilities include drafting orders and verdict sheets, maintaining the judge’s calendar, handling correspondence, and ensuring proper file management. This is a non-remote, part-time position in Court Administration.

Qualifications

• General knowledge of legal standards.
• Ability to record, convey and present information, explain procedures and follow instructions.
• Shorthand and clear handwriting.
• Ability to utilize computer software/hardware and other office equipment such as a Dictaphone and phone system.
• Ability to organize materials and develop procedures.
• Effective oral and written communication.
• Ability to establish and maintain relationships.
• Initiative and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to function independently and exercise good judgment.

Responsibilities

• Channels signing matters through the chambers, forwarding to the proper person or department.
• Drafts miscellaneous orders and prepares verdict sheets.
• Prepares divorce decrees and returns to the Prothonotary after signing.
• Types all orders, opinions, letters and memos for the Judge and Law Clerk.
• Maintains Judge’s calendar and scheduling to avoid conflicts.
• Notifies Court Services of schedule changes and emergency adjustments.
• Readies files for hearings and schedules conferences when needed.
• Maintains up-to-date policies and procedures in chambers.
• Processes incoming mail and distributes to the appropriate parties.
• Ensures supplies are available and files are properly stored.

Skills

Legal knowledge

Record keeping

Communication

Independent judgment

Discretion

Education

College degree preferred

Paralegal certificate preferred

Tools

Dictaphone

Job description

Posting number: 26-547

Department: Court Administration

Job classification: Judicial Assistant - Part-Time

Posting type: Open

Categories: Court Administration, Office and Administrative Support

Summary

This is a professional position working within a judge’s chambers within the Courthouse. Daily administration of Judge’s chambers tasks include processing all legal documents and correspondences; scheduling and follow through to completion all criminal, civil, family and juvenile matters; providing secretarial support to the law clerk; normal administrative duties. Work requires a high degree of confidentiality and discretion.

Examples of duties

• Channels signing matters (civil, criminal and family) through the chambers, forwarding to the proper person or department, copying the appropriate parties.

• Drafts miscellaneous orders.
• Drafts and prepares verdict sheets for both civil and criminal trials; replaces appropriate pages in the Judge’s civil and criminal charge book after trial.
• Prepares divorce decrees, returning to the Prothonotary after the judge signs the documentation.
• Drafts miscellaneous civil and criminal orders.
• Types all orders, opinions, letter and memos for the Judge and Law Clerk.
• Reviews all orders from the courtroom; determines if further judicial action is required. Maintains record of action taken.
• Maintains Judge’s calendar; creates chambers schedule ensuring no conflicts; makes necessary adjustments.
• Addresses cancellations, late arrivals or emergencies that may occur. Notifies Court Services of Judge’s schedule (including changes), when trials settle/plea, are rescheduled, etc.
• Readies appropriate files for scheduling of hearings; schedules conferences when necessary.
• Responsible for keeping up to date on policies and procedures adopted by Judges and Court Administration.
• Processes incoming mail – dates and reads all documents; distributes to the appropriate person or department.
• Ensures all supplies are available in chambers.
• Files law books in the appropriate place.
• Maintains records for appeals, outstanding criminal matters, post-trial motions, and appealable and interlocutory civil argument matters.
• Performs related work as required.
• Non-remote work required.

Qualifications

Education and Credentials

• College Degree preferred (not required), or other related field required, or an equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.
• Paralegal Certificate preferred (not required), or other related field required, or an equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

Experience and Skills

• General knowledge of legal standards.
• Must possess ability to record, convey and present information, explain procedures and follow instructions.
• Shorthand and clear handwriting.
• Ability to utilize computer software/hardware and other office equipment such as a Dictaphone and phone system, necessary to carry out essential functions.
• Ability to carry out assignments requiring organization of materials and development of procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Must possess initiative and problem-solving skills.
• Must possess ability to function independently and exercise good judgement.

Supplemental information

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Regularly required to stand; walk; sit; and talk and hear.
• Significant and repeated use of a keyboard.
• Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and depth perception.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.