Legal Assistant - Hampton

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Hampton (VA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Job summary

The Indigent Defense Commission in Virginia seeks a dedicated Legal Assistant in Hampton to provide administrative and clerical support for attorneys, investigators, and mitigation specialists in the Public Defender office.

The role reports to the Chief Public Defender of the Hampton Office and requires experience with Word, Excel, and Google Suite, plus strong communication skills and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced setting.

Qualifications

• Working knowledge of office practices and procedures for creating/editing letters, memos, and legal documents.
• Experience using Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Familiarity with Google Suite (Gmail, Google Docs, etc.).
• Experience creating and managing electronic and manual filing systems; keyboarding skills.
• Strong oral and written communication; ability to work independently and in a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively and compassionately with clients and others in the legal system.

Responsibilities

• Greet visitors and operate a multi-line phone system.
• Screen and forward calls, provide information, take messages, schedule appointments.
• Type/edit legal documents and memos; review correspondence.
• Maintain filing and record-keeping systems.
• Sort, mail distribution, and handling.
• Communicate with colleagues, clients, and court personnel.

Skills

Office procedures

Word processing

Excel

Google Suite

Filing systems

Typing

Oral and written communication

Independent and collaborative work

Client communications

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Title: Legal Assistant - Hampton

State Role Title:Admin and Office Specialist I

Hiring Range: $42,145.00 + State Benefits

Agency: Indigent Defense Commission

Location:HAMPTON 325

Agency Website:www.vadefenders.org

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Indigent Defense Commission (VIDC), a Commonwealth of Virginia Independent Agency, is dedicated to protecting and defending the rights of our clients through zealous, compassionate, high-quality legal advocacy. The Hampton Public Defender Office is committed to providing dedicated, compassionate, client-based, and community-embedded representation for our indigent clients. The Hampton Public Defender Office is now accepting applications for the administrative position of Legal Assistant. The qualified candidate will provide administrative and clerical support for attorneys, investigators, and mitigation specialists in the Public Defender office. The Legal Assistant position reports to the Chief Public Defender of the Hampton Office and is employed at-will.

• Greeting persons entering the Public Defender Office and operating a multi-line telephone system.
• Screening and forwarding calls, providing information to callers, taking messages, and scheduling appointments.
• Typing, editing, and reviewing memos, letters, and various types of legal documents.
• Maintaining a filing and record-keeping system.
• Collecting, sorting, distributing, and preparing mail.
• Communicating and interacting with public defender office colleagues, clients, and judicial system personnel.

The IDC is committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our workforce. We encourage and welcome qualified applicants of all identities, cultures, backgrounds, and experiences.

Minimum Qualifications

• The position requires a working knowledge of office practices and procedures including creating and editing letters, memos, and legal documents.
• The position requires experience using Microsoft applications, specifically Word and Excel.
• The position requires familiarity with Google Suite applications, including Gmail, Google Docs, etc.
• The qualified candidate will have experience creating and managing an electronic and manual filing system and skills in keyboarding.
• The qualified candidate will effectively communicate both orally and in writing and work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, team-driven environment.
• The Legal Assistant position also requires the ability to communicate both effectively and compassionately with clients as well as their support networks and other participants in the legal system.

Additional Considerations

Prior experience within the criminal justice legal system will be considered. Candidates who are bilingual in English and Spanish will be considered.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a fingerprint-based criminal background check. Being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment. IDC uses the E-Verify system and does not provide sponsorship.

This position qualifies for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) depending on your type of loan.

Contact Information

Name: Ashley Washington

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.