Legal Assistant: Docs, Filings & Scheduling

Merced County, CA; California; On-site; USD 60,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Merced County is seeking qualified candidates for a Legal Secretary/Paralegal support role to assist attorneys with preparing and organizing legal documents and memoranda. The position involves calendar management, filing, and coordination of court procedures, while maintaining confidentiality and meeting deadlines.

The role requires strong research, writing, and communication skills, with the ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing priorities.

Qualifications

• Three (3) years of experience preparing a variety of legal documents, supplemented by coursework in legal office practices and business law, preferably with at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to a Legal Secretary.
• Three (3) years of documented experience in performing research and analysis, and drafting subpoenas, writs, complaints, or similar para-legal activities.
• Completion of an approved legal para-professional training program and two (2) years of experience in the preparation of legal documents.

Responsibilities

• Process, prepare and maintain legal documents in the assigned office.
• Ability to research information from various codes and other legal records.
• Operate a personal computer and other office equipment.
• Communicate effectively with others in person and over the telephone.
• Analyze data, interpret directions, procedures and regulations, and develop appropriate responses.
• Perform job duties under stressful conditions and respond appropriately to situations.
• Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations.
• Frequent use of depth perception, peripheral vision and color perception.
• Frequently lift, carry, reach, push, pull, twist and manipulate large and small objects.
• Frequent use of hand-eye coordination; use of data entry device; repetitive hand and arm motion.
• Occasionally lift and carry up to 40 pounds.
• Normal dexterity, frequent holding and grasping.
• Regular attendance is an essential function.

Job description

This recruitment is being established to obtain a current eligible list for both Full time and Extra-Help vacancies. Extra-Help are not entitled to county benefits and are limited to a maximum of 25 hours per week. Extra-Help pay is $29.00 per hour.

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Prepare documents and confirm compliance with statues, court decisions, or other legal authorities.
  
• Assist attorneys to prepare, assemble, and organize legal options and memoranda such as briefs, pleadings, appeals, motions, search warrants, contracts, complaints, petitions, ordinances, interrogatories and other legal documents used by attorneys.
  
• On behalf of attorneys, make appointments and maintain calendar of court dates and conferences.
  
• May recommend form revisions and procedural changes as appropriate.
  
• Take appropriate follow-up action on legal documents such as filing documents with appropriate courts, arranging for court trial dates and opposing counsel.
  
• Type a variety of material from handwritten or typed draft copy, and prepare correspondence or reports.
  
• Perform routine clerical tasks such as filing, duplicating, photocopying, and assembling mail.
  
• May interview witnesses, collect statistical data and conduct financial investigations.
  
• May assist in training and directing the work of subordinate clerical staff.

Experience:
Three (3) years of experience preparing a variety of legal documents, supplemented by coursework in legal office practices and business law, preferably with at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to a Legal Secretary.

OR

Three (3) years of documented experience in performing research and analysis, and drafting subpoenas, writs, complaints, or similar para-legal activities.

OR

Completion of an approved legal para-professional training program and two (2) years of experience in the preparation of legal documents.

• Process, prepare and maintain legal documents in the assigned office.
  
• Ability to research information from various codes and other legal records.
  
• Operate a personal computer and other office equipment.
  
• Communicate effectively with others in person and over the telephone.
  
• Analyze data, interpret directions, procedures and regulations, and develop appropriate responses.
  
• Perform job duties under stressful conditions and respond appropriately to situations.
  
• Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations.
  
• Frequent use of depth perception, peripheral vision and color perception.
  
• Frequently lift, carry, reach, push, pull, twist and manipulate large and small objects.
  
• Frequent use of hand-eye coordination; use of data entry device; repetitive hand and arm motion.
  
• Occasionally lift and carry up to 40 pounds.
  
• Normal dexterity, frequent holding and grasping.
  
  
• Regular attendance is an essential function.
  
  

Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of legal documents, procedures, terminology, and forms.
  
• Various legal documents and their uses.
  
• Filing procedures and legal terminology.
  
• Legal office practices and procedures.
  
• Principles and practices of civil and/or criminal law.
  
• Operation and use of a computer, office equipment and machines.
  
• Business English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary and punctuation.
  
• Preparation and maintenance of court calendars.
  
  

Ability to:

• Perform difficult and complex assignments with speed and accuracy and meet deadlines.
  
• Collect and examine financial data.
  
• Understand and apply legal principles and precedents.
  
• Draft contracts, resolutions, letters and other legal documents.
  
• Make logical presentations of statements of facts.
  
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
  
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with attorneys, official and the general public.
  
• Read, understand, interpret and apply technical material and directions.
  
• Basic accounting procedures.
  
• Learn to input, access, and analyze data using a computer.
  
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action.
  
• Keep and maintain records.
  
• Use good judgment in recognizing the scope and limit of authority delegated.

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