Legal Assistant - Prince William

Commonwealth of Virginia; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Virginia's Indigent Defense Commission seeks a Legal Assistant for the Prince William Office. The role supports attorneys, investigators, and mitigation specialists with administrative tasks, file management, and client communications.

The position involves maintaining digital client files, transcribing court proceedings, and handling mail and scheduling, with a focus on accurate record-keeping and compassionate interaction with clients and the public.

Qualifications

• Strong data-entry and file-maintenance skills in a digital/paperless office.
• Experience using Microsoft Word and Excel and Google Suite applications (Gmail, Google Docs).
• Able to listen, communicate, and relate to others professionally in a fast-paced team environment.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain digital client files and records, including spreadsheets and case-management entries.
• Operate a multi-line phone system; screen, forward calls and provide information to callers.
• Transcribe audiotapes of court proceedings and type legal documents.
• Maintain filing and record-keeping system; manage mail and internal communications.
• Communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, and court personnel.

Skills

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Google Docs

Gmail

Data entry

Job description

Title: Legal Assistant - Prince William

State Role Title:Admin and Office Specialist I

Hiring Range: $46,358.00 + Local Salary Supplement + State Benefits

Agency: Indigent Defense Commission

Location:PRINCE WILLIAM 311

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 Prince William Public Defender Office is committed to providing dedicated, compassionate, client-based, and community-embedded representation for the indigent clients that we represent. The Prince William Public Defender Office is now accepting applications for the position of Legal Assistant. The qualified candidate will provide administrative and clerical support for attorneys investigators, and mitigation specialists in the Public Defenders’ office. The Legal Assistant position reports to the Public Defender of the Prince William Office and is employed at-will. Currently, employees of the Prince William County Public Defender’s Office receive a local salary supplement in addition to their state salary from the Prince William County Board of Supervisors.

Duties: Duties for the position include daily creation and maintenance of digital client files and records, including spreadsheets, client service records and case management system records. They include operating a multi-line telephone system, screening, and forwarding calls, providing information to callers, taking messages, and scheduling appointments. Duties also include transcribing audiotapes of court proceedings; typing a variety of documents including legal documents; maintaining a filing and record- keeping system; collecting, sorting, distributing, and preparing mail and communicating and interacting with public defender office colleagues, clients, and judicial system personnel. This position is responsible for maintaining client files to ensure that each attorney’s digital file is completely up-to- date, reflecting all court appearances, client interactions, and substantive work done in the case. The Legal Assistant candidate will communicate effectively and compassionately with clients, client support networks, and with members of the public or other members of the legal community.

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 both direct client contact and a significant amount of data entry and file maintenance in a digital/paperless office. As a result, the successful candidate will have both the ability to listen, communicate and relate to others on a professional level, and also aptitude with computer software, to include word processing, spreadsheet and database applications. The successful candidate should have experience using Microsoft applications, including Word and Excel, and Google Suite applications, such as Gmail, Google Docs, etc.

The successful candidate will take pride in producing and maintaining thorough, accurate and comprehensive records and client files, enabling the work of the larger team in serving the needs of our clients. The qualified candidate will be adept at working independently and collaboratively in a fast paced, team driven environment and should welcome training and feedback on a regular basis. The Legal Assistant position also requires the ability to effectively and compassionately communicate with our court- involved clients, as well as with their support networks and other participants in the legal system.

Additional Considerations

Prior experience providing administrative support in the Public Defense space or in another legal environment will be considered. Candidates who are bilingual in English and Spanish will be strongly 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.