Legal Assistant

New Hampshire Public Defender; Laconia (NH); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holidays/PTO/Sick Time

State Health and Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life/Disability Insurance

403(b) Retirement Account

Professional Development Opportunities

Job summary

New Hampshire Public Defender is seeking a Legal Assistant to provide clerical, informational, logistical, and reception support to clients, attorneys, and staff. The role involves collaboration with attorneys, investigators, and other Legal Assistants to ensure efficient office operations.

The position requires a high school diploma or GED, with preferred post-secondary education in Paralegal Studies or Criminal Justice and prior legal experience.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Post-secondary education in Paralegal Studies, Criminal Justice, or related field highly desired.
• Previous work in a legal setting is highly desired.

Responsibilities

• Provide in-office, electronic, and telephone services for clients and stakeholders.
• Manage calendars for attorneys, including court dates and appointments.
• Produce documents as requested by assigned attorneys.
• Support 3–4 assigned attorneys and collaborate with the office team.
• Maintain accurate data in the case management system for attorneys.

Skills

Keyboarding

Proofreading

Editing

Word processing

Office software

Education

High school diploma or GED

Paralegal studies / Criminal justice education

Tools

Case management software

Job description

Working as part of a team, the Legal Assistant provides clerical, informational, logistical, and reception support to clients, attorneys, management, staff, and other Program constituents. The Legal Assistant works collaboratively with the office team, including attorneys and investigators and, as applicable, other Legal Assistants, to support the effective and efficient operation of the office.

Key Responsibilities

• Provides in-office, electronic, and telephone services for clients and other stakeholders.
• Provides information to clients and listening empathetically, without giving legal advice.
• Supports 3-4 assigned attorneys.
• Produces documents as requested by assigned attorneys.
• Manages calendar for attorneys including court dates, client appointments, meetings, and other events.
• Manages computer-based case management system accurately so that all necessary information is available for attorneys.
• Work with attorneys in planning and scheduling to meet deadlines and ensure the completion of assignments and projects.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Maintains a professional appearance, in dress and in work area.
• Demonstrates respect for clients and is consistent with a professional services environment.
• Works well under pressure and demonstrates proactive attitude toward problem solving, conflict resolution, and the needs of the office staff.
• Excellent keyboarding, proofreading, and editing skills.
• Strong word processing skills and facility with standard office and computer systems.

Education and Experience

• A high school diploma or GED is required.
• Previous work in a legal setting is highly desired.
• Post-secondary education in Paralegal Studies, Criminal Justice, or a relative field, is highly desired.

Physical Requirements

Physical requirements include retrieving and distributing files, written documents, or office supplies weighing up to 20 pounds; retrieving and replacing objects from shelves up to eight feet high; sitting and keyboarding for extended periods of time.

Benefits

• Holidays/PTO/Sick Time
• State Health and Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life/Disability Insurance
• 403(b) Retirement Account
• Professional Development Opportunities