Legal Assistant

Under the general direction of the Managing Criminal Investigator, provides a wide variety of clerical and administrative duties to support the Calhoun County Public Defender Office. This position handles highly confidential information and must function efficiently and effectively in a fast-paced, professional environment. 

1. Drafts, transcribes, types, edits, copies, and/or distributes correspondence, minutes, reports, and legal documents. 
2. Receives and responds to telephone calls in a professional manner, providing requested information and/or referring individual to appropriate staff members. 
3. Creates and maintains case files and documents in electronic format. 
4. Review and proof answers, briefs, motions, and various pleadings prepared by attorneys to ensure that proper case law is cited and current and format the pleadings in accordance with the current court rules. 
5. Track due dates and progress on cases and pleadings, including reminding attorneys when due dates are approaching. When needed, research and prepare an answer to ensure that any due dates and deadlines are met. 
6. Updates and maintains attorney calendars. 
7. Assist with the preparation and tracking of subpoenas. 
8. Schedules meetings including, securing meeting room, distributing meeting notices, preparing agenda, record minutes, and preparing handouts as needed. 
9. Assists with the development of presentation materials for trial. 
10. Performs other general clerical duties as needed, such as copying, faxing, scanning, processing mail, maintaining/ordering office supplies, and processing invoices. 
11. Provides back-up support for receptionist and other administrative duties as needed. 
12. Performs other duties as assigned. 

• This position requires knowledge normally acquired though an associate degree in a related field of study or  high school graduate with experience.
• Two to three years of experience providing administrative support in a busy office environment, preferably in a legal environment.
•  Possession of a valid Michigan driver’s license and an acceptable driving record. 
• Computer skills necessary to effectively utilize word processing, databases, spreadsheets, scanning and imaging, e-mail, internet, and meeting schedule is required. 
• The ability to network with others and to build trusting relationships with employees, co-workers, elected officials, and department heads. A professional appearance and demeanor are required. 
• A high level of confidentiality in handling information and sensitive situations. 
• Communication skills necessary to provide excellent customer service and accurate information to the public, vendors, clients, and all levels of County personnel. 
• Ability to frequently multi-task and handle simultaneous projects requiring concentration and attention to detail with occasional distractions due to people and/or telephone calls. 
• Must be able to handle difficult situations and conflicts that may arise in a professional manner, as well as deal with pressures related to meeting deadlines and other scheduling requirements, etc. 
• Excellent organizational, concentration, and attention to detail skills.

Supervisory Responsibilities                      

• None

• Physical ability to occasionally lift, push, pull, or carry items weighting up to thirty pounds.
• Physical ability to talk, hear, and communicate verbally with others.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Occasionally required to perform tasks involving repetitive movement, bending, stooping, kneeling and/or climbing.  
• Frequently required to sit for extended periods of time.

• Normal office environment with occasional discomfort due to heat, dust, and noise
• Extended workdays (beyond eight hours/day and weekends) are occasionally required.