Legal Assistant I

$40,373 - $42,120/Yr

State of Vermont - Bennington, VT

Full-time - Entry Level

Bennington, VT

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support

About the position

The Legal Assistant I position serves as a vital support role within the Defender General's Office, primarily responsible for assisting attorneys by providing a wide range of technical, administrative, and secretarial support. This entry-level position is designed for individuals who are beginning their careers in legal assistance within state government. The role requires a foundational understanding of legal practices and procedures, as well as proficiency in various computer applications. While the work is performed under the supervision of an attorney or other designated supervisor, the position also necessitates a degree of independent work, allowing the legal assistant to develop their skills and knowledge in a practical setting. In this role, the legal assistant will assist in the preparation of legal documents by gathering information from various sources, including files, client agencies, and court records. Responsibilities include drafting basic legal documents such as legal notices, subpoenas, and discovery materials. The legal assistant may also be tasked with e-filing these documents with the Judiciary. Additionally, the position involves supporting attorneys in trial preparation, which includes organizing exhibits, scheduling witnesses, and communicating with client agencies. The legal assistant will review jury pools and prepare lists of exhibits and witnesses to ensure that attorneys are well-prepared for hearings and negotiations. The legal assistant is responsible for establishing and maintaining a variety of files, including litigation files that contain pleadings, witness information, exhibits, and court orders. This role also involves performing docketing duties, which include opening, updating, and closing cases using case management systems. The legal assistant will track important dates related to filings, hearings, and trials, maintaining systems and calendars to remind attorneys of appointments and legal deadlines. Other administrative duties include managing correspondence, handling telephone inquiries, filing, copying, and overseeing public records management. This position is essential for ensuring that the legal office operates efficiently and effectively, providing critical support to attorneys and contributing to the overall success of the legal team.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the preparation of legal documents using information from files, client agencies, court records, and other sources.
• Help prepare basic legal documents such as legal notices, subpoenas, and discovery materials.
• E-file legal documents with the Judiciary as needed.
• Assist attorneys in preparing for trials, hearings, and negotiations by preparing exhibits and scheduling witnesses.
• Communicate with client agencies and review jury pools.
• Prepare exhibit and witness lists for legal proceedings.
• Establish and maintain a variety of files and sub-files, including litigation files.
• Perform docketing duties such as opening, updating, and closing cases using case management systems.
• Track filing, hearing, and trial dates, maintaining systems and calendars to remind attorneys of appointments and legal deadlines.
• Schedule depositions, court reporters, and experts as required.
• Perform administrative and secretarial duties including correspondence, telephone duties, filing, copying, and public records management.

Requirements

• Associates degree or two or more years of full-time college coursework (or the equivalent) AND two (2) years or more of experience performing legal administrative duties.
• OR bachelor's degree AND one (1) year or more of experience performing legal administrative duties.
• OR paralegal certification AND two (2) years or more of experience performing legal administrative duties.
• OR high school diploma or equivalent AND three (3) years or more of experience performing legal administrative duties.