Legal Assistant & Backup Office Manager

Description

Position Summary: The Legal Assistant plays an integral role in achieving the mission of New Hampshire Public Defender to provide high quality legal representation to indigent citizens accused of criminal acts. The Legal Assistant, working in a team-based environment, provides clerical, informational, logistical, and reception support to clients, attorneys, management, related staff, and Program constituents. They must also work cooperatively with the office team of attorneys and investigators and, as applicable, the team of Legal Assistants. 

Key Responsibilities

Includes but may not be limited to:

• Provides physical or telephone  services for clients, clients’ families, and visitors. Provides as much assistance and information to callers as appropriate, without giving legal advice.

• Provides information to clients, scheduling clients as appropriate, and listening empathetically to clients and their families.

• Produces documents as requested by assigned attorneys in a manner that most efficiently utilizes time.

• Enters and maintains calendar events for attorneys including court events, client appointments, meetings, and other events.

• Enters relevant data into computer-based case management system accurately and in a timely fashion so that all necessary information is available for document production, scheduling, conflict management, attorney, investigator, office and Program management.

• Participates with attorneys and others in planning and scheduling to meet established deadlines and to ensure the completion of assignments and projects.

As the Backup to the Office Administrator (office manager), you'll be required to support the office when the Office Administrator is unavailable/out of the office. There is an additional stipend compensation for taking on this role. Duties include:

• Processing incoming cases (conflict screening and providing documents for Managing Attorney). 

• Processing conflict resolution materials.

• Submitting payroll paperwork as needed.

• Responding to inquiries from outside stakeholders. 

Some occasional travel to our Littleton, NH office will be required as needed in this role.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Maintains a professional appearance, in dress and in work area. 

• Demonstrates respect for clients and is consistent with a professional services environment.

• Works well under pressure and demonstrates proactive attitude toward problem solving, conflict resolution and the needs of the office and administrative staff.

• Excellent keyboarding skills as well as proofreading and editing skills are a requirement. Strong word processing skills and facility with other standard office and computer systems are also required.

Education and Experience

• A high school diploma or GED is required.

• A minimum of 1 year as a legal assistant/paralegal is highly desired. 

• Previous experience in office management is highly desired. 

• Post-secondary education in Administrative or Paralegal Studies, particularly in the Criminal Justice field, is highly desired.

Physical Requirements

Physical requirements include retrieving and distributing files, written documents, or office supplies weighing up to 20 pounds; retrieving and replacing objects from shelves up to eight feet high; sitting and keyboarding for extended periods of time.

Benefits

• Holidays/PTO/Sick Time

• State Health and Dental Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• Life/Disability Insurance

• 403(b) Retirement Account

• Professional Development Opportunities