Non-exempt; full-time; 40 hours per week; Monday through Friday ; 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. may require some evening work; full-benefits; grant-funded This Legal Assistant position is assigned to provide administrative and clerical support and legal analysis, legal research to the Family Services Law Attorney and occasionally to the Family Services program. The legal assistant will interview litigants, review documents, prepare documents for review, and assist with organizing and preparing litigants... more details
JOB INFORMATION
Non-exempt; full-time; 40 hours per week; Monday through Friday ; 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. may require some evening work; full-benefits; grant-funded
This Legal Assistant position is assigned to provide administrative and clerical support and legal analysis, legal research to the Family Services Law Attorney and occasionally to the Family Services program. The legal assistant will interview litigants, review documents, prepare documents for review, and assist with organizing and preparing litigants for hearings. This position is located in a fast-paced environment and must perform client based interviews, case screenings, and must be able to handle sensitive-confidential information and comply with laws, rules, guidelines and procedures. This position may encounter difficult topics and exposure to domestic violence, child abuse, and animal abuse. This position reports to the Family Services Family Law Attorney and is supervised by the Family Services Administrator.
Pursuant to Section 2-501 of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, this position serves at the discretion of the Circuit Court Judges. This means that this position is at will and that either an employee, or the court, may terminate the employee relationship at any time, with or without cause. There are no contractual relationships between the Circuit Court and an employee; letters, benefit or policy statements, performance evaluation, handbooks, or other employee communications should not be interpreted as such. The at-will relationship remains in full force and effect notwithstanding any statements to the contrary made by court personnel or set forth in any documents.
Frederick County Government recognizes the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members. If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to Frederick County Government today.
TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE: Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how highly we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full time benefited Frederick County Government employee.
11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
11 paid scheduled holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays
Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County HSA contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and AD&D benefit
Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan
Vesting after 5 years of service (effective 7/1/2024)
Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc.
Other employee paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, etc.
For more information, visit our benefits page on the Frederick County Government job opportunities webpage.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Greet and assist clients seeking legal assistance from the Help Center with a professional demeanor, both virtually and in-person
Perform initial interview/intake of litigants
Review case information to narrow legal issues based on facts collected
Draft and prepare legal documents for review and approval by attorney
Research and analyze applicable substantial and procedural law
Assist with providing and requesting discovery; assist with organizing and hearing preparation
Maintain and track names of clients, including walk-ins, and search database to find matches with past clients
Schedule virtual meetings with client and attorney
Track client information for case progress
Maintain inventory of center supplies, brochures, and other written material; review on-line resources for accuracy regarding Family Services available; oversee law library resources
Open and close center daily; arrange furniture, post notices, prepare devices for use, etc.
Assist clients with organizing and preparing for trial explicitly as directed by Family Law Attorney
Perform research of related case information and any resources that may be available within the community
Assist parties with the public assess computers; provide direction to sites and resources available
As needed, provide administrative support to the Family Law Attorney and Family Services Supervisor
Assist with overseeing and giving direction to Interns
As needed, provide administrative support to the Family Law Attorney and Family Services Supervisor
Perform data entry, filing, reception duties; including answering phone calls and emails
Perform other related duties as required
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Any single position may not be assigned all duties listed above, nor do the examples cover all duties that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
Associate’s degree
Minimum 2 years progressively responsible administrative work experience in a court or legal environment
Experience working with the public
Intermediate skills in the use of Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel
NOTE: Additional related work experience may substitute for a portion of the education requirement
KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES:
Knowledge of legal terminology and preparation of legal documents specifically Family Law
Knowledge of Maryland Court documents and filing process with Maryland Courts
Ability to narrow legal issues based on facts collected
Ability to effectively perform legal research and summarize findings
Ability to communicate effectively with attorney's, associates, clients and other agencies; provide support and assistance as needed
Discretion and impeccable judgment in dealing with sensitive information and confidential matters
Ability to deescalate angry or distraught visitors
Ability to think clearly and maintain a pleasant, professional demeanor under crowded and chaotic conditions (e.g., children crying or misbehaving, multiple people insisting on your attention, simultaneously)
Ability to create and edit forms, court documents, tables, signs, spread sheets
Ability to effectively organize work, determine priorities, perform multiple tasks concurrently, and complete assigned duties with minimal supervision and instruction
Ability to exercise discretion and good judgment
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills, with the ability to effectively create, update, and maintain paper and electronic files, records and filing systems
Ability to develop and maintain positive and effective working relationships with internal and external professionals and with the public
PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR:
Para-legal certification or degree from an accredited institution and/or related education/experience pertaining to the legal field
Maryland Judiciary work experience
Work experience with family law matters
Bilingual in English and Spanish
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS:
While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly sit and perform repetitive motions; occasionally walk and reach; and rarely stoop, lift up to 20 pounds and drive
While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly work indoors
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / EXAMINATION PROCESS
Available to work evenings and varied hours when needed
EXAMINATION MAY INCLUDE:
An evaluation of training and experience
One or more interviews
A pre-employment job observation
A background check conducted through Maryland Judiciary
This description reflects management's assignment of essential duties; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
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