Legal Assistant - Columbia Central Appellate

Job Description:

Legal Assistant - Columbia Central Appellate

Description

The Missouri State Public Defender is an agency dedicated to providing legal representation to individuals who are unable to afford an attorney in criminal cases. We are committed to upholding the constitutional right to counsel and ensuring fair and just legal proceedings for all citizens.

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented individual to join our team as a Legal Assistant in the Appellate Office. The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting attorneys with case file management, preparation of legal documents, tracking appellate deadlines, and performing a variety of administrative tasks critical to the appeals process.

Assist attorneys with client intake interviews and case preparation. Locate and copy discovery materials for case files. Organize and summarize client files for easy reference. Contact and interview clients and witnesses to gather necessary information. Prepare reports and serve subpoenas as required. Conduct limited legal research under attorney supervision. Assist attorneys during court proceedings. Make indigence determinations based on MSPD guidelines. Attend court in-person or via webex and interact with judges and other court personnel on matters related to indigence determinations. Conduct jail and prison visits with clients. Monitor court e-notices and update client files and attorney calendars. Frequently interact with the public, including answering phones, responding to client and family inquiries, and staffing the reception desk during public business hours. Perform other administrative tasks as needed to support the legal team.

• Education equivalent to graduation from high school.
• Three years of experience in office or related clerical work.
• Preferably, some legal experience.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Ability to work independently and as a part of a team.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite and other relevant software
• Knowledge of legal terminology and procedures is a plus.

This is a full-time position based in Columbia. The successful candidate will receive competitive compensation and State of Missouri benefits that include a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Learn more about benefits at Here . Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found Here .

Human.Resources@mspd.mo.gov

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Salary:

36,336-37,656 per Year