Reports to Directing Attorney FLSA Status Full-Time, Contract (One Year)Non-Exempt (Union position)Application Deadline Until Filled Salary $20.35 to $31.61 per hourPROGRAM DESCRIPTIONFor over 50 years, CCLS has been representing and advocating for low-income individuals in Merced, Tuolumne, Mariposa, Fresno, Tulare, and Kings Counties. With more than 90 employees, CCLS works to provide high quality, no-cost civil legal services to low-income individuals, families, and communities-improving the wellbeing of our Valley through systems-changing advocacy, client education, and legal work that meets individual clients' immediate needs. We also work closely with agencies and community organizations that share our commitment to support our clients in being their own agents of change. JOB DESCRIPTIONUnder attorney supervision, the legal secretary will be preliminarily assigned to the Consumer Law Team and will provide support to attorneys, paralegals, and outreach workers with work that focuses on a variety of legal issues specific to Senior's rights, public benefits, consumer fraud prevention and litigation. RequirementsDUTIES
- Provides administrative support to attorneys and legal advocates;
- Answers telephones, screens callers, take accurate messages and greets visitors;
- Communicates with clients as needed and directed by legal team staff;
- Prepares for attorney review and signature a variety of legal correspondence, petitions, pleadings, motions and interrogatories;
- Prepares outgoing correspondence to ensure all legal documents and enclosures are in proper processing order and that correspondence is grammatically correct;
- Files documents with the court and causes documents to be served;
- Maintains and schedules dates and deadlines in a case management system for timely filing of documents for court and administrative hearings and for the completion of tasks by advocates;
- Maintains follow up records relating to legal matters in process and ensures that legal requirements and deadlines are met;
- Performs a variety of secretarial duties, such as setting up and/or maintaining filing systems and appointment calendars, answering inquiries over the phone or in person, and managing secretarial and administrative details with minimum direction;
- Provides support in short term legal projects, including, but not limited to trial preparation tasks;
- Performs other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
- At least two years prior secretarial experience or equivalent experience;
- Legal Secretary certification or diploma from an accredited school or equivalent work experience;
- Ability to type at least 45 words per minute;
- Working knowledge of and ability to calendar advocate assignments, discovery, motion and trial deadlines;
- Ability to prepare basic legal documents and legal correspondence;
- Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills;
- Highly organized and effective in a fast-paced environment;
- Ability to maintain confidentiality of consumers and organization;
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse groups of individuals and organizations;
- Ability to set priorities, meet deadlines, and a willingness to adapt to changing situations;
- Must exercise good judgment and demonstrate initiative in completion of job assignments and duties;
- Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills;
- Ability to work well with others and deal with the public in a courteous and professional manner;
- Competency with PC systems and standard software (Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and relevant databases);
- Reliable transportation, a valid CA Drivers' License with appropriate car insurance.
CCLS is an equal opportunity employer: we value equity, inclusion, and diversity, across all races, cultures, classes, ages, religions, gender identities and presentations, sexual orientations, body sizes, family structures, abilities, and all categories protected by law. We encourage all interested individuals to apply. CCLS is subject to a Collective Bargaining Agreement. Salary Description $20.35 to $31.61 per hour