LEGAL ASSISTANT (57252)

Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Inc.; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Inc. in Austin, TX is seeking a Legal Assistant to support case handlers with clerical tasks, file management, and calendar coordination.

The role requires accuracy, punctuality and the ability to handle multiple assignments in a fast-paced legal aid environment. The candidate should type 45 wpm, have word processing skills, and be bilingual in English and Spanish, with a minimum of two years of secretarial experience, and a high school diploma or equivalent.

Qualifications

• Typing 45 words per minute.
• Word processing experience.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum two years secretarial experience.

Responsibilities

• Type, file and handle all clerical matters for assigned case handlers.
• Maintain client files and calendars; prepare pleadings for review by attorneys.
• Coordinate hearings, depositions and appointments with clients and attorneys.
• Answer phones and relay messages; manage mail and office communications.
• Translate as needed; assist with overflow work to ensure smooth operations.

Skills

Typing 45 wpm

Word processing

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

# LEGAL ASSISTANT (57252)TRLA-AUSTIN - Austin, TX 78751## OverviewSalary Range$41,765.00 - $53,269.06 Salary/year## Job DescriptionTexas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA) provides free civil legal services to residents in 68 Southwest Texas counties and represents migrant and seasonal farm workers throughout the state and in six other southern states. TRLA serves about 23,000 clients each year. However, more than 2.6 million residents of Southwest Texas are considered eligible for TRLA services, a ratio of almost 21,000 potential clients per legal aid lawyer. As a result, thousands of low-income Texans still lack access to civil legal representation.TRLA has an opening for a Legal Assistant in its Austin office. The candidate should be detail-oriented, punctual, self-driven, able to work on multiple assignments at once, and responsive to the legal needs of low-income persons. The work schedule is Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., plus additional hours if occasionally requested to meet deadlines. Duties of the legal assistant include, but are not limited to, the following:Type, file and handle all clerical office matters for the casehandlers to whom assigned;Maintain client files and applications and complete assigned work on case files within the required time frame;Make copies of documents as requested;Create files for all new cases;Notarize documents;Maintain office law library;Communicate with clients and other lawyers as requested;Coordinate schedules and maintain case requirements calendar of casehandlers, as requested;Prepare standard pleadings for review by attorneys;Set hearings, depositions and other appointments with clients and other attorneys as requested;Compose routine correspondence;Obtain information from data base and check conflict of interest;Make appropriate disposition of applications as instructed by assigned attorney;Answer office telephone as required, and take messages for other staff;Handle incoming and outgoing mail, ensuring that all income mail is distributed to the appropriate parties and that outgoing correspondence is prepared in time and is placed in the appropriate location for mailing;Assist in overflow work to ensure smooth office operations;Maintain office equipment by replenishing toner in copiers and printers when necessary and refilling copier and printer paper trays as needed; and respond to equipment breakdowns, distracting office conditions and other office conditions requiring management attention;Maintain office supply inventory and requisitions supplies and office equipment when necessary;Maintain trust accounts according to standard accounting procedures, including typing of trust account checks or receipts or reporting, whichever is assigned by the branch manager;Orient new employees on office procedures and briefs employees on policy and procedure changes;Coordinate staff leave and travel arrangements for staff;Translate;All other secretarial duties as may be requested by the immediate supervisor.## Qualifications & Preferences1. Type minimum of 45 words per minute;2. Experience with word processing3. Preference given to persons with high school degree or equivalent;4. Minimum of two years secretarial experience;5. Bilingual in English and Spanish.