Purpose
Under general supervision, performs a variety of paralegal; legal secretarial and general clerical work in support of the district counsel; and performs other related duties as required.
Distinguishing Characteristics
Legal Assistant I-Incumbents work under supervision and perform duties that are typical of the journey level class but Incumbents are gradually given less supervision and gradually perform more difficult and responsible assignments. This class, the entry into this series, is differentiated from other clerical classes by specialization in and knowledge of legal clerical work.
Legal Assistant. II- Fully experienced, journey level class of the series. Incumbents perform a wide variety of difficult and complex legal assistant duties requiring independent judgment and discretion, and are subject to minimal work direction and instruction. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the lower grade of Legal Assistant I, or when filled from the outside, require prior legal assistant experience.
Typical Duties
The duties listed below are examples of the work typically performed by the employee of this class. Not all assigned duties may be listed.
1. Drafts and prepares complaints, contracts, agreements, resolutions, rules, ordinances, and other legal documents using language from previous documents; prepares documents in final form including applicable exhibits for court filling upon review and approval of District Counsel.
2. Establishes and maintains a variety of files including case files for lawsuits and/ or settlements, other legal document files and correspondence; reviews files for completeness, accuracy and correct format; maintains records of all open and closed files; maintains law reference library.
3. Performs simple legal research such as locating statutes and other legislation; compiles and organizes data from investigative reports, depositions, other discovery documents, correspondence and other sources; locates and completes judicial counsel forms.
4. Composes and drafts correspondence to sources and opposing counsel; types letters, forms and reports using work processing and other computer applications; proofreads documents for form, factual accuracy, completeness, correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, and legal citation; prepares documents based on data obtained from records and other sources.
5. Schedules meetings and appointments; calendars court dates and deadlines for legal documents; may schedule witnesses to testify at trials.
6. Receives callers and screens calls; place calls to sources and opposing counsel; provides general or program information involving facts and interpretation or makes appropriate referral; may interview clients and potential witnesses.
7. Prepares case files for trial including summarizing witness testimony from source documents; organizes documentary exhibits for introduction into evidence.
8. Prepares forms and arranges for service of process; drafts, prepares, files and serves notices of deposition, subpoenas, at issue memoranda and other simple legal documents.
9. Collects and delivers correspondence, records and packages; stamps, sorts and distributes incoming mail and faxes; prepares mass mailings; processes outgoing mail; copies a variety of documents on photocopy machine.
Minimum Qualifications
Legal Assistant I - One year of clerical experience involving the preparation and processing of legal documents.
Legal Assistant II - Two years of experience as SMAQMD Legal Assistant I or three years of legal assistant experience, or any combination of training and experience that provides the desire knowledge and abilities. Paralegal course work is desirable.
Knowledge of:
Legal Assistant I - Basic practices and procedures of legal offices management principles, English usage, grammar, spelling and punctuation, alpha numeric filing and retrieval systems; legal terminology, documents, and citations, and office methods.
Legal Assistant II - Basic practices and procedures of legal research; types and functions of basic pleadings associated with governmental process and lawsuits; use of legal reference material; legal office management principles; English usage, grammar, spelling and punctuation; alpha numeric filing and retrieval systems; legal terminology, documents, and citations; office methods; District organization, procedures and operating details.
Ability to:
Understand statutes, court decisions, legal documents and similar material; compose correspondence; organize and summarizer factual material; learn fundamental legal practices applicable to District business; use legal research software; compile and maintain records and reports; type at a sufficient speed to perform the work of the unit; operate work processing and database applications; edit and proofread; work independently; plan and organize own work; establish and maintain working relationships with attorneys, staff, sources and public.
Working Conditions & Physical Demands
Physical Demands
This is essentially a desk job. Physical demands include occasional lifting up to 25 lbs., some bending, stooping and squatting.
Working Conditions
Generally clean work environment with limited exposure to conditions such as dust, fumes, odors, or noise. Computer monitor used on a daily basis. Travel in the local area may be required.
Supervisory Responsibility
