Legal Assistant, Employment | Civil Division

City of Seattle; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 48,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Hybrid schedule (3 days in office, 2远)

Job summary

The Seattle City Attorney’s Office in Seattle is seeking a legal assistant to support attorneys who give labor and employment advice to City departments and handle employment-related litigation. The role emphasizes file management, drafting and editing court documents, and electronic filing in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities include calendar management, preparing pleadings, coordinating meetings, and learning new databases while maintaining meticulous attention to detail.

Qualifications

• Two years of post-secondary coursework in legal secretarial or business skills.
• One year of litigation support experience or equivalent.
• Knowledge of legal terminology, procedures, and court rules.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and e-filing systems.
• Ability to manage multiple projects under time pressure.

Responsibilities

• Preparation of court documents for service and filing.
• Word processing, including proofreading and editing.
• Managing litigation and client files, including electronic files.
• Using applications for litigation support.
• Assisting with attorney calendars.
• Coordinating and arranging meetings.
• Learning and using new databases and software as needed.
• Tracking case assignments and deadlines.
• Tracking invoices from outside vendors and attorneys.
• Developing organizational system improvements when necessary.

Skills

Legal terminology

Time management

Collaboration

Attention to detail

Multitasking

Education

Two years of post-secondary coursework in legal secretarial or business skills

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Excel

e-filing systems

Litigation support software

Job description

With more than 200 attorneys and professional staff, the Seattle City Attorney’s Office is one of the largest law offices in Seattle and is the third-largest public law office in the state. Our office is committed to making Seattle a safe, healthy, empowered, and thriving community for everyone. We strive to address historical injustices within the court system with self-examination and to pursue justice in Seattle with integrity, creativity, and fairness. We believe working transparently, innovatively, and in collaboration with our partners in the community is necessary to achieve outcomes that promote equity, accountability, and healing.

The Employment Section of the Seattle City Attorney’s Office is looking for a legal assistant to join their team! This position provides administrative support to attorneys who give labor and employment advice to all City departments and who represent the City in employment-related litigation.

The work of the Employment Section is dynamic and often fast-paced. These attorneys shepherd a vast array of projects and cases with multi-dimensional legal questions. They appear in numerous forums, including federal and state court; the Public Employment Relations Commission; the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals; two Seattle Civil Service Commissions; and in arbitration proceedings. The group takes a collaborative, team-oriented approach to both litigation and advice work, seeking to build effective and lasting relationships with City departments and their leadership. The section’s legal assistants are critical to this professional philosophy and are valued members of our enthusiastic and experienced team.

Legal assistants in the Employment Section are required to think intelligently and strategically to assist the work of these attorneys. They must apply their knowledge of legal terminology, legal and regulatory procedures, proper formatting of documents, electronic filing systems, and general office practices. The legal assistants must be highly skilled in the use of Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Outlook and Excel. They must also be capable of quickly learning and using a variety of other technological resources. The City Attorney’s Office is increasingly relying on electronic storage and filing. Legal assistants serve a crucial role in enabling this process and providing support to attorneys.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Preparation of court documents for service and filing;
• Word processing, including proofreading and editing;
• Managing litigation and client advice files, including electronic files;
• Using a variety of applications for litigation support;
• Assisting with attorney calendars;
• Coordinating and arranging meetings;
• Learning and using new databases and software as needed;
• Tracking case assignments and deadlines;
• Tracking invoices from outside vendors and attorneys and preparing them for payment;
• Developing organizational system improvements when necessary

The successful candidate will have demonstrated abilities to perform the above-described job responsibilities. This includes but is not limited to:

• Comprehensive knowledge of legal terminology, legal procedures, court calendaring practices, court e-filing programs, and court rules, including for litigation.
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and work effectively under significant time pressure.
• Capability of providing timely products with great attention to detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other team members.
• Ability to represent the Law Department in a professional and ethical manner at all times and demonstrate professionalism in all interactions with both employees and outside contacts.
• Ability to use a variety of software packages for litigation support, calendaring, and email-archiving.

Additionally, the City Attorney’s Office is committed to integrating the City of Seattle’s Race and Social Justice Initiative into both the work provided to clients as well as within the organization. The person hired to fill this role will be an active participant in these efforts.

This position requires two years of post-secondary coursework in legal secretarial or business skills and one year of litigation support work demonstrating familiarity with legal form, terminology, and documents (or a combination of education, training and/or experience which provides evidence of the ability to perform the work of the class)

The full pay range for this step-progression position is $34.92 - $39.18 per hour. New employees begin at Step 1 of the pay progression, which is $34.92 hourly. Current City employees' starting rate of pay will be based on Personnel Rules regarding promotions. Advanced initial step placement may be considered under limited circumstances, but step salaries are not subject to negotiation.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, 12 official holidays and 2 floating holidays, sick, and paid parental leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees. Additional benefits include executive leave, and eligibility for merit leave. City Attorney’s Office employees also have the opportunity to participate in a defined benefits retirement program. More information about benefits can be found at https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits

Public Service Loan Forgiveness is a federal program that forgives the remaining balance of your federal student loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments are made while working full-time for a qualifying public service employer. Forgiveness is tax-free by statute under 26 U.S.C. § 108(f)(1). Learn more about PSLF and confirm whether your loans and payments qualify. StudentAid.Gov/PSLF

The Seattle City Attorney's Office has a Flexible Work Arrangements Policy. Employees have the option to work a hybrid schedule (3 days in the office, 2 days remote). This is subject to change as circumstances and business needs dictate.

Office Location: Columbia Center, 701 5th Avenue, Suite 2050, Seattle, WA 98104

Who may apply – This position is open to all candidates who meet the minimum qualifications.

The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, family or marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, pregnancy, or other protected characteristics. The Seattle City Attorney's Office encourages people of all backgrounds to apply.