Legal Assistant III

Dallas Area Rapid Transit; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 43,902 - 72,438; Full time

Job summary

Dallas Area Rapid Transit is seeking a detail-oriented legal administrative professional to support the Legal Department. You will handle calendars, pleadings, and records management, with emphasis on litigation and contract-related tasks.

Excellent organizational and communication skills are essential. The role requires an associate degree and several years of legal secretary experience, including litigation, and proficiency with Microsoft Office and case management software.

Qualifications

• Associates degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Legal studies or related field.
• Six (6) years specialized legal secretary training and experience, including a minimum of three (3) years in litigation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and case management software.
• Ability to type 40 words per minute.
• Strong organizational and communication skills for confidential matters.

Responsibilities

• Supports the entire Legal Department including litigation, contracts, procurement, real estate, labor and employment and open records.
• Performs administrative and clerical functions under minimum supervision.
• Types and edits written materials and court pleadings.
• Maintains calendars and case management system for attorneys.
• Answers calls, maintains messages, and directs inquiries to appropriate personnel.
• Organizes workflow, prioritizes court calendars and dockets.
• Provides legal assistant support to attorneys and paralegals as requested.

Skills

Litigation support

General legal administration

Interpersonal communication

Time management

Document handling

Microsoft Office

Outlook

Case management software

Attention to detail

Education

Associates degree in Business Administration or Legal studies

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Microsoft Outlook

Case management software

Job description

Pay Range: $43,902.00 - $72,438.00

Supervisory Organization: Deputy General Counsel

Country: United States of America

Address: 1401 PACIFIC AVE

City: DALLAS, TX 75202

FLSA: Non - Exempt

Professionals: 06 - Admin Support (EEO-4-United States of America), 6A - Secretaries and Administrative Assistants (EEO-SubCategory)

General Summary:

Performs a variety of legal administrative and clerical functions for the Legal Department. Under minimum supervision.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Receives results expected assignments, with due dates and general instruction.
• Supports the entire Legal Department including litigation, contracts, procurement, real estate, labor and employment and open records.
• Performs administrative special projects, creates reports, spreadsheets, etc. as required.
• Types and edits written and recorded materials and court pleadings.
• Maintains calendars and case management system for DART attorneys.
• Copies, assembles, mails, files written and recorded materials including trial and administrative records for appeals and hearings.
• Organizes workflow and prioritizes and monitors court calendars and dockets.
• Performs legal assistant, secretarial and clerical services dealing with sensitive or confidential matters related to various DART departments and works with other staff outside the Department.
• Answers incoming calls and maintains message system. Responds to routine inquiries and refers more difficult matters to appropriate personnel.
• Maintains files as necessary.
• Provides legal assistant assistance to attorneys and paralegals as requested, to include correspondence, file maintenance, answering telephones, distributing mail and reception of visitors.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

Note: An equivalent combination of related education and experience may be substituted for the below stated minimums excluding High School Diploma, GED, Licenses, or Certifications.

• Associates degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Legal studies or related field.
• Six (6) years specialized legal secretary training and experience to include a minimum of three (3) years in litigation. Preferred areas of experience include public employer, labor and employment, real estate, open records, civil government, contracts, procurement and torts.
• Proficient using computer and laptop to include Microsoft software applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and the entire Windows Office Suite. Also, adept at case/litigation management software and workflow software. Knowledgeable of electronic mail systems, preferably Microsoft Outlook.
• Ability to type 40 words per minute.
• Proficient with office equipment such as copier, scanner, typewriter, recording devices, calculator, facsimile, postage meters, CD/DVD duplication, binding and hole punch and audio/visual equipment.
• Organized and self-motivated, working with minimal supervision.
• Interpersonal skill to effectively communicate with all levels of supervisory and non-supervisory employees, outside counsel, government entities, the community, and others both inside and outside of DART.
• Ability to be dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers. Gets first-hand customer information and uses it for improvements in products and services. Acts with customers in mind. Establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect.
• Ability to marshal resources (people, funding, material, support) to get things done. Can orchestrate multiple activities at once to accomplish a goal. Uses resources effectively and efficiently. Arranges information and files in a useful manner.
• Ability to use his/her time effectively and efficiently. Values time. Concentrates his/her efforts on the more important priorities. Can attend to a broader range of activities.
• Ability to be action oriented and full of energy for the things he/she sees as challenging. Not fearful of acting with a minimum of planning. Seizes more opportunities than others.
• Ability to use rigorous logic and methods to solve difficult problems with effective solutions. Can see hidden problems. Is excellent at honest analysis. Looks beyond the obvious and does not stop at the first answers.
• Ability to be able to write clearly and succinctly in a variety of communication settings and styles. Can get messages across that have the desired effect.
• Ability to pick up on technical things quickly. Can learn new skills and knowledge. Is good at learning new industry, company, product, or technical knowledge. Does well in technical courses and seminars.
• Ability to use his/her time effectively and efficiently. Values time. Concentrates his/her efforts on the more important priorities. Can attend to a broader range of activities.
• Ability to be action oriented and full of energy for the things he/she sees as challenging. Not fearful of acting with a minimum of planning. Seizes more opportunities than others.
• Ability to use rigorous logic and methods to solve difficult problems with effective solutions. Can see hidden problems. Is excellent at honest analysis. Looks beyond the obvious and does not stop at the first answers.
• Ability to be able to write clearly and succinctly in a variety of communication settings and styles. Can get messages across that have the desired effect.
• Ability to pick up on technical things quickly. Can learn new skills and knowledge. Is good at learning new industry, company, product, or technical knowledge. Does well in technical courses and seminars.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Works in an environment where there is minimum exposure to dust, noise, or temperature. May be moderately exposed to unpleasant working conditions to include dust, noise, temperature, weather, petroleum products, and chemicals while visiting DART's operating facilities, assuming incumbent is observing all policies and procedures, safety precautions and regulations, and using all protective clothing and devices provided.

Note:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. The statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All employees may perform other duties as assigned.

DART is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, supporting diversity in the workplace. M/F/D/V

Open until qualified applicants are identified.