LEGAL SECRETARY - DISTRICT ATTORNEY OFFICE

La Crosse County; La Crosse (WI); On-site; USD 36,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

La Crosse County in Wisconsin seeks a Legal Secretary/Administrative Assistant to support the District Attorney's Office with legal secretarial functions across areas like Traffic, Juvenile, Domestic Abuse, Sexual Assault, and more.

The role includes typing complaints, proofreading documents, scheduling witnesses, preparing electronic discovery, and maintaining professional, courteous contact with the public and officials.

Qualifications

• Two years of office/clerical experience in a legal setting.
• Familiarity with court procedures in a prosecutor's office and with legal terminology.
• Proven skills in using MS Word, Excel and internet applications.
• Highly organized with the ability to meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to type efficiently and accurately.

Responsibilities

• Type criminal and other complaints, opens files, and prepares various legal documents.
• Proofread and correct materials for grammar, punctuation, and format.
• Prepare and assemble materials for meetings, court appearances, and hearings.
• Schedule and coordinate witnesses and manage electronic discovery when needed.
• Operate standard office equipment and maintain courteous public interactions.

Skills

Typing efficiently

Education

Associate Degree or related degree

Tools

MS Word

Excel

Internet

Job description

Overview FLSA: Non-Exempt Employees in this position provide legal secretarial functions in the District Attorney's Office. Individual Administrative Associates within the department perform functions regarding a specialized area, such as Traffic, Juvenile, Bad Check Program, Domestic Abuse, Sexual Assault, Child Abuse, Misdemeanor and Felony cases, Subpoenas and backup for calendaring. Employees are selected and supervised by the District Attorney and Office Supervisor, and work under limited supervision in a high paced potentially stressful work environment.

Essential Leadership Functions

Act with Integrity and Build Trust Demonstrate mutual respect, humility, and honesty in all interactions Speak up appropriately, even when expressing unpopular viewpoints Actively listen and remain open-minded to diverse perspectives Drive for Results Set clear goals and objectives to motivate self and others to achieve outcomes Seek new opportunities to improve processes and drive sustainable results Hold self and others accountable through consistent evaluation and monitoring Develop Talent and Effective Teams Foster a collaborative environment that encourages knowledge sharing and growth Provide mentorship and support to help self and others reach full potential Recognize and leverage diverse strengths within self and team Lead with Vision and Strategy Understand and communicate a compelling vision that aligns with organizational goals Develop and execute comprehensive strategies to achieve long-term objectives Connect daily work to the bigger picture, inspiring self and others to contribute meaningfully Lead with Paradoxical, Critical, and Agile Thinking Navigate complex situations by considering multiple perspectives Adapt quickly to changes and uncertainties in the work environment Make critical decisions using analytical skills, experience, and input from others Build and Maintain Effective Relationships Communicate and collaborate effectively with stakeholders across the organization Influence others through coaching, consulting, and team-minded thinking Develop and sustain partnerships that create positive outcomes for all stakeholders Cultivate Community Engagement and Provide Excellent Service Understand and address the needs and concerns of the community Incorporate community perspectives into decision-making processes Drive initiatives that create positive impacts beyond the organization Demonstrate Emotional Intelligence Show self-awareness and manage emotions effectively in challenging situations Seek and respond constructively to feedback, even in the face of setbacks Balance empathy with accountability when leading self and working with others

Essential Job Functions

Using a computer, types criminal and other complaints, opens files, types summons, notices to appear, notices to defense, search and arrest warrants, affidavits, briefs, memorandum of law, motions, agreements, letters and various other legal documents. Proofreads and corrects prepared materials for correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, format, syntax and content. Prepares and assembles materials, documents and exhibits for meetings, court appearances and hearings. Prepares electronic discovery for defense in timely manner. Composes routine correspondence. Obtains Department of Transportation Records. Enters information into specialized law enforcement database using knowledge of the legal system. Produces subpoenas for all court hearings as necessary. Schedules and cancels all witnesses as necessary, frequently and with little or no direction. Independently obtains schedules of needed Hygiene and Crime Lab Individuals and advises as appropriate. Operates standard office equipment such as calculators, duplicating machines, facsimile machines, telephones, scanner, dictation equipment, AV equipment, etc. In this public service position, employee is required to be courteous, cooperative and respectful at all times, with the public and clients. Also establishes and maintains a courteous, cooperative and respectful working relationship with other employees, supervisors and public officials.

Physical Demands

Sits at desk, uses hearing, near vision and fingering for typing, word processing or calculators or other office machines. Uses clear and concise oral communication with clients, callers, department staff. Uses good judgment to carry out instructions. Handles papers and manuals, etc. Some time is spent standing and reaching for performing filing duties, and lifting files, copy paper and other office materials. Frequently reads written material. Occasionally moves about office and waits on counter.

Related Job Functions

Cross trains and assists other department staff as necessary or required. This job description is not intended to encompass every job duty or responsibility but is only illustrative. This position is required to perform other duties as may be assigned or required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of legal terminology and syntax, and of the content, organization and format of legal documents and correspondence. Ability to type efficiently and accurately. Ability to use a word processor with proficiency. Ability to access, input and retrieve information from a computerized system.Ability to perform duties with accuracy. Ability to work with minimal supervision and using independent judgment. Ability to transcribe documents from written, oral, machine or computer-generated formats. Ability to plan, organize and prioritize time and workload in order to accomplish tasks and meet deadlines.Ability to adapt to fast paced stressful environment. Ability to accurately retrieve and prepare electronic discovery using various AV systems in a timely manner.Ability to work under fast paced, stressful conditions.

Training, Experience and Other Requirements

Associate Degree as Legal Secretary/Paralegal, Administrative Professional, Office Support Specialist or other related degree. Two years of office/clerical experience in the legal field. Familiarity with court procedures in a prosecutor's office and with legal terminology. Proven skills and proficiency in using computer programs: MS Word, Excel spreadsheets and the internet. Must have proven track record of being highly organized and able to work in fast-paced environment and able to meet short deadlines with high volume of output with efficiency and accuracy. Must be able to type efficiently and accurately. May consider candidate with no related Associate Degree and several years of related legal secretarial experience.