Legal Assistant - Norfolk

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

Benefits offered by this job

State benefits

PSLF eligibility

Job summary

Commonwealth of Virginia seeks an Administrative Legal Assistant in Norfolk to support attorneys, investigators, and mitigation specialists. The role reports to the Chief Public Defender and is at-will employment.

The position emphasizes greeting visitors, handling calls, drafting memos and filings, and maintaining filing systems in a fast-paced, client-focused office.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of office practices and procedures (letters, memos, legal docs).
• Experience using Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Familiarity with Google Suite (Gmail, Docs, etc.).
• Experience creating/managing electronic and manual filing systems.
• Strong written and verbal communication; ability to work independently and with a team.

Responsibilities

• Greet visitors and operate a multi-line phone system.
• Screen calls, provide information, take messages, schedule appointments.
• Typing, editing, and reviewing legal memos and documents.
• Maintain filing and record-keeping system.
• Sort, distribute, and prepare mail.
• Interact with colleagues, clients, and judicial personnel.

Skills

Office practices

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Google Suite

Filing system

Keyboarding

Communication

Independent work

Job description

Title: Legal Assistant - Norfolk

State Role Title: Admin and Office Specialist I

Hiring Range: $42,145.00 + State Benefits

Agency: Indigent Defense Commission

Location: NORFOLK 321

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 Norfolk Public Defender Office is committed to providing dedicated, compassionate, client-based, and community-embedded representation for our indigent clients. The Norfolk 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 Norfolk 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.

Special Instructions

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.