Legal Secretary

Public Defender Services of Lane County, Inc. (PDSLC) Eugene, Oregon
Full-time, On-site

Overview

Legal Secretaries at PDSLC play a key role in supporting high-quality, client-centered representation for people facing the loss of their liberty. This position is fast-paced, detail-oriented, and essential to the smooth operation of our defense teams. Legal Secretaries help keep case information accurate, court documents moving, client communications timely, and assigned attorneys organized.

The ideal candidate is organized, adaptable, and able to manage competing deadlines with professionalism and care. Strong communication skills, sound judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to build effective working relationships are critical. We are looking for someone who works well both independently and as part of a team.

How This Role Fits at PDSLC

PDSLC uses a team-based support structure. Intake staff, legal assistants, legal secretaries, law clerks, file clerks, investigators, and reception each have distinct responsibilities. Unlike legal offices where one secretary may handle nearly every support function for a small group of attorneys, Legal Secretaries at PDSLC focus on legal secretarial and case-administration work while coordinating closely with the other members of the support team.

Key Responsibilities

Case & Court Administration

• Prepare, format, proofread, and process pleadings, memoranda, correspondence, court documents, and other case-related materials.
• Navigate OECI and the Odyssey e-filing system to review case history, confirm court dates, track case activity, and prepare or submit filings.
• Manage case files and records, including opening and closing files, scanning and filing documents, importing materials, updating case status information, and tracking deadlines.
• Identify when additional case appointments are needed and prepare appointment packages.
• Review case update notes from attorneys and legal assistants and complete or route appropriate follow-up.

Client Communication & Records

• Process form notices and correspondence to clients regarding case information, court appearances, and other case-related updates.
• Maintain accurate client contact information and other case data in PDSLC systems.
• Process returned client mail and take appropriate follow-up steps.
• Interact with clients who may be experiencing crisis, instability, or trauma using clear, respectful, compassionate, and trauma-informed communication.
• Maintain strict confidentiality regarding client information and case details, and use and respect preferred pronouns for clients, coworkers, and others interacting with the office.

Attorney & Team Support

• Establish reliable communication systems with assigned attorneys to coordinate daily tasks, priorities, deadlines, hearings, reminders, and scheduling needs.
• Maintain a steady flow of paperwork and route materials accurately to attorneys, legal assistants, intake staff, file clerks, investigators, reception, or other team members as appropriate.
• Communicate professionally with court clerks, the District Attorney’s Office, treatment providers, and other agencies as needed.
• Provide backup coverage for other Legal Secretaries during absences and work cooperatively across teams.

General Office Responsibilities

• Perform general office tasks including answering phones, scanning, copying, processing mail, data entry, and operating standard office equipment.
• Notarize documents in compliance with Oregon Notary Public rules and requirements when assigned.
• Complete other projects or tasks as requested or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED certificate.
• At least two years of secretarial experience in a legal office, or equivalent relevant education.
• Ability to type at least 80 words per minute.
• Strong writing, grammar, verbal communication, and customer-service skills.
• Accurate data-entry and file-maintenance skills, with consistent attention to detail.
• Ability to work methodically, accurately, and efficiently while managing interruptions, shifting priorities, and time-sensitive deadlines.
• Ability to understand and follow direction, seek clarification when needed, learn new procedures, establish priorities, and work effectively both independently and under supervision.
• Ability to work cooperatively and professionally with coworkers, clients, courts, agencies, and members of the public.

Technical Skills & Preferred Experience

• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Microsoft Office 365; familiarity with SharePoint and Adobe Acrobat Pro is helpful.
• Strong general computer skills and the ability to learn web-based case and file-management systems; experience with MacOS is preferred.
• Working knowledge of OECI, Odyssey e-filing, Lane County court procedures, or similar court systems is strongly preferred.
• Ability to learn and apply PDSLC procedures, case-management systems, and relevant public-defense contract requirements applicable to assigned work.
• Three or more years of legal secretarial experience is preferred.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Primarily office-based, with frequent computer and phone work and prolonged periods of data entry.
• Regular interaction with attorneys, support staff, court personnel, agencies, and individuals experiencing stress or crisis.
• Work may involve rapid changes in priorities and time-sensitive deadlines.
• Ability to lift and move files, boxes of files, office supplies, or similar materials as needed, and to walk moderate distances while carrying materials.

PDSLC offers competitive compensation and a strong benefits package, including employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance; long-term disability and life insurance; a generous retirement plan; paid vacation, sick leave, and personal time; and professional development opportunities. Our office qualifies for public interest loan forgiveness, subject to federal program rules.

2026 Salary Range: $23.55-$40.32 per hour ($48,984-$83,866 annually)

Placement is based on relevant experience and qualifications and follows PDSLC’s step-and-tier salary schedule.

About Public Defender Services of Lane County

Public Defender Services of Lane County is a private nonprofit organization committed to defending the rights of people facing a loss of liberty due to the actions of the state. We represent adults and juveniles in matters ranging from trespass to serious felonies, as well as probation violations, contempt proceedings, termination of parental rights cases, and civil commitment matters.

Founded in 1977, PDSLC has a long history of dedicated defense advocacy. Staff benefit from mentorship by attorneys with decades of experience and fresh perspectives from newer members of our team. We are a mission-driven office that values collaboration, equity, and client-centered service. We are a dog-friendly office.

Our Mission

We treat our clients with dignity, empower them to make informed choices, and fight to defend their rights.

Our Goals

• Deliver outstanding legal services.
• Uphold the presumption of innocence.
• Act ethically with clients, witnesses, the courts, and all representatives of the criminal justice system.
• Lead by example in the criminal justice community.
• Provide a supportive environment where employees and clients are treated with respect and dignity, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, economic or cultural background, religion, age, or disability.