Legal Assistant

Federal Public Defender, Western District of Texas; Del Rio (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

FEHB Health Benefits

FEDVIP Dental/Vision

FEGLI Life Insurance

Job summary

The Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Texas is seeking a Legal Assistant to be stationed in the Del Rio office. The role provides legal secretarial and clerical support for one or more Assistant Federal Defenders, including calendar management, document drafting, and file maintenance.

Qualifications include a high school diploma, 2+ years general experience with 1 year specialized, Spanish fluency, and proficiency in Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 2+ years general experience and 1 year specialized experience (relevant coursework may substitute).
• Sound judgment; apply policies; recommend practical solutions.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat.
• Proactive; works independently and collaborates effectively.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Thrives in a high-volume, fast-paced law office.
• Spanish fluency required.
• Preferred: Prior law office experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage attorney calendars, including court settings and filing deadlines.
• Answer and route calls; handle general inquiries professionally.
• Maintain organized, accurate case files and records.
• Draft and review legal documents, briefs, and correspondence in Word; verify accuracy.
• Perform conflict checks as required.
• Provide office support: heavy word processing, filing, photocopying, translating (oral/written), and mail routing.
• Deliver documents to the courthouse as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Spanish fluency

Excellent communication

Independent and collaborative

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

The Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Texas is accepting applications for the position of Legal Assistant, to be stationed in the Del Rio office.

POSITION DUTIES

The Legal Assistant provides legal secretarial and clerical support services for one or more Assistant Federal Defenders. The duties of a Legal Assistant include:

• Manage attorney calendars, including court settings and filing deadlines.
• Answer and route calls; handle general inquiries professionally.
• Maintain organized, accurate case files and records.
• Draft and review legal documents, briefs, and correspondence in Word; verify accuracy.
• Perform conflict checks as required.
• Provide office support: heavy word processing, filing, photocopying, translating (oral/written), and mail routing.
• Deliver documents to the courthouse as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 2+ years general experience and 1 year specialized (relevant coursework may substitute).
• Sound judgment; apply policies; recommend practical solutions.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat.
• Proactive; works independently and collaborates effectively.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Thrives in a high-volume, fast-paced law office.
• Spanish fluency.
• Preferred: Prior law office experience.
• Employment contingent on a satisfactory background check (FBI name & fingerprints).

BENEFITS

• Retirement benefits under the Federal Employees Retirement System.
• Optional participation in Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB).
• Optional participation in Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP).
• Optional participation in Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI).
• Position is excepted service, without competitive civil service tenure.

The Federal Public Defender is an equal-opportunity employer.