Legal Assistant - Springfield

State of Missouri; Springfield (MO); On-site; USD 36,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Defined pension plan

Generous leave and holidays

Health insurance coverage

Job summary

The Missouri State Public Defender is seeking a dedicated Legal Assistant to support attorneys with client intake interviews, case preparation, and a variety of administrative tasks in Springfield, MO. The role emphasizes independence and teamwork in a fast-paced public defense office.

The position requires a high school diploma, at least three years of clerical experience, and strong organizational and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Education equivalent to graduation from high school.
• Three years of experience in office or related clerical work.
• Preferably, some legal experience.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.

Responsibilities

• Assist attorneys with client intake interviews and case preparation.
• Locate and copy discovery materials for case files.
• Organize and summarize client files for easy reference.
• Contact and interview clients and witnesses to gather information.
• Prepare reports and serve subpoenas as required.
• Conduct limited legal research under attorney supervision.
• Assist attorneys during court proceedings.
• Make indigence determinations based on MSPD guidelines.
• Attend court in-person or via WebEx and interact with judges and court personnel on matters related to indigence determinations.
• Conduct jail and prison visits with clients.
• Monitor court e-notices and update client files and attorney calendars.
• Frequently interact with the public, including answering phones, responding to client and family inquiries, and staffing the reception desk during public business hours.
• Perform other administrative tasks as needed to support the legal team.

Skills

MS Office proficiency

Strong communication skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal abilities

Independent work

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma

Tools

MS Office

Legal terminology

Job description

The Missouri State Public Defender is an agency dedicated to providing legal representation to individuals who are unable to afford an attorney in criminal cases. We are committed to upholding the constitutional right to counsel and ensuring fair and just legal proceedings for all citizens.

We are seeking a motivated and organized individual to join our team as a Legal Assistant. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in assisting attorneys with client intake interviews, case preparation, and various administrative tasks.

• Assist attorneys with client intake interviews and case preparation.
• Locate and copy discovery materials for case files.
• Organize and summarize client files for easy reference.
• Contact and interview clients and witnesses to gather necessary information.
• Prepare reports and serve subpoenas as required.
• Conduct limited legal research under attorney supervision.
• Assist attorneys during court proceedings.
• Make indigence determinations based on MSPD guidelines.
• Attend court in-person or via webex and interact with judges and other court personnel on matters related to indigence determinations.
• Conduct jail and prison visits with clients.
• Monitor court e-notices and update client files and attorney calendars.
• Frequently interact with the public, including answering phones, responding to client and family inquiries, and staffing the reception desk during public business hours.
• Perform other administrative tasks as needed to support the legal team.
• Education equivalent to graduation from high school.
• Three years of experience in office or related clerical work.
• Preferably, some legal experience.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Ability to work independently and as a part of a team.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite and other relevant software
• Knowledge of legal terminology and procedures is a plus.

This is a full-time position based in Springfield. The successful candidate will receive competitive compensation and State of Missouri benefits that include a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Learn more about benefits at Here . Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found Here .

The salary listed reflects the base pay rate. Verified prior state service, subject to applicable eligibility requirements, may increase total compensation.

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