Legal Assistant

JOB DESCRIPTION The Legal Assistant is responsible for opening, preparing, organizing, maintaining and monitoring the ongoing status of legal case files. The Legal Assistant responds to the needs of members of the public in person and by phone. The Legal Assistant must have strong organization skills, and attention to detail. The Legal Assistant’s duties vary somewhat with job assignment between civil, criminal or juvenile cases but include examining and correctly identifying case documentation and law enforcement information to prepare legal documents and develop and maintain full and complete case files. The Legal Assistant works closely with prosecuting attorneys and must be able to understand the facts of each case. The Legal Assistant attends trials as needed with the prosecuting attorney, prepares exhibits, audios and videos and takes notes of court activities and testimony. The Legal Assistant works under the direction of the Office Manager, but has latitude to exercise independent judgment. The principal duties of the Legal Assistant are performed in the office. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Works closely with prosecuting attorneys to ensure their case needs are met correctly, accurately and on schedule; Manages assigned cases from intake through disposition, including discovery requests and responses, pleadings, data entry, etc.; Monitors case files to ensure documents are ready for attorneys and data entry is complete and accurate, ensures that documents are filed into appropriate folders, updates and organizes file folders as needed and purges outdated files as directed and according to Office policies and procedures; Calendars and schedules hearings and appointments for the Twin Falls County Prosecuting Attorney, schedules and coordinates meetings, monitors calendar/schedule for required court appearances; Requests reports and certified documents for case preparation; Prepares a large variety of legal forms, documents and reports; Drafts discovery requests and responses, affidavits and numerous other legal documents; Files documents with courts; Receives notice of hearings, enters hearing dates on the appropriate forms, notifies appropriate parties of hearings; Answers the phone and responds to the public, attorneys, victims, and law enforcement at the front desk as needed; Prints, organizes and accurately routes incoming mail and other documents as needed; Maintains files throughout the pendency of the case; Operates standard office equipment, a personal computer, and operates and maintains specialized office and case data entry and tracking systems, and related equipment; Operates and maintains case management system including electronic and paper files, reviews and verifies file notes for accuracy and inputs into case management system; Answers inquiries and provides information from case files to law enforcement officers, defense attorneys, defendants, and appropriate parties according to Office policies and procedures; Provides legal secretarial support to prosecuting attorneys and co-workers as needed; Maintains strict confidentiality in all cases; Performs other duties as assigned by the Twin Falls County Prosecuting Attorney; Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with Twin Falls County Prosecuting Attorney policies and procedures. POSITION REQUIREMENTS Knowledge of: English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and composition; Must possess basic office skills. Possess or have ability to learn: Work cooperatively and constructively with prosecuting attorneys, co-workers and members of the public to provide public service of the highest quality; Legal, court, and judicial procedures, rules, terminology, methods, documents, practices, and objectives; Prosecutorial ethics; Twin Falls County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office policies and procedures; Proficiently operate computers, software programs, such as Word Perfect, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or similar office software to create documents and other materials, maintain information, and generate reports with attention to detail; Follow verbal and written instructions; Work independently and exercise initiative, with general guidance and supervision; Maintain a professional demeanor at all times; Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of strict deadlines; Demonstrate integrity and ingenuity in the performance of assigned tasks and solving problems; Maintain strict confidentiality. MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Graduation from high school, preferably supplemented with an Associate’s Degree, Minimum of two (2) years office experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities to successfully perform the essential functions of the position may be considered. #J-18808-Ljbffr