In a legal or judicial setting, independently performs senior level legal support functions for attorney(s), administrative law judge(s), industrial insurance appeals judge(s), review judge(s) or equivalent.

This is the senior, specialist and/or lead level of the series. Under general direction, performs complex legal support functions such as: identifying and pursuing next steps in litigation or adjudication process; verifying legal citations and references for accuracy, consistency and case relevance; composing correspondence for signature; serving as primary public records coordinator. Trains, leads and/or mentors lower level staff and serves as resource for staff regarding technical legal assignments.

Performs the duties of Legal Assistant 2;  

Serves as designated primary public records coordinator;

Trains others on technology and software used to perform legal work; 

Performs proofreading and editing of legal documents for content and grammar; 

Identifies and pursues next steps in litigation or adjudicatory process; 

Applies specialized knowledge of various court rules related to legal practice subject matter and court filing procedures; 

Serves as document repository administrator; 

Serves as a primary critical events reader applying court rules; 

Independently composes correspondence for attorney’s and/or judge’s signature; 

Reviews work product of lower level legal staff for accuracy, completeness and compliance with agency procedures and court rules;

Trains, leads and mentors lower level legal staff; 

Monitors, tracks and updates status of attorney’s and/or judge’s cases; 

Conducts legal research on specific issues; 

Composes and submits proposed judgments and settlement documents for payment and notifies appropriate agencies and parties of settlements, negotiations and payments; 

Determines most cost effective and expeditious means of delivery and proof of service; 

Notifies appropriate agency representatives of settlement negotiations; 

Notifies attorney(s), judge(s), and professional staff of procedural changes; 

Provides assistance to attorney(s) or judge(s) during trial; 

Prepares trial/administrative hearing exhibits and courtroom aids incorporating current technology; 

Composes, organizes and enters discovery information into legal databases; summarizes depositions and other discovery materials; 

Reviews discovery requests provided by opposing party and identifies necessary information needed to obtain appropriate records; 

Examines and researches new appeals to determine jurisdiction; 

Prepares an initial appeal file and a statement of the historical and jurisdictional facts; 

Posts noteworthy decisions and orders on agency internet site for public review; 

In small work units, may supervise lower level staff; 

Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:  legal terminology; local, state and federal court rules and their application; court procedures; legal forms and documents and their processing; sources for checking legal citations; current legal office practices, methods and procedures; law office communications; correct punctuation, spelling, grammar and vocabulary skills; database/index systems, and discovery procedures; advanced skills in software and database applications typical of a law office.   

Ability to:  keyboard or type accurately; use litigation software and case management systems; proofread for accuracy and content; understand and follow written and oral instructions; understand and apply procedures, policies and guidelines; prepare legal pleadings and correspondence; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; deal tactfully with others; adapt to changing work needs, requirements and equipment; learn new and/or increasingly complex duties; learn and apply current policies and procedures; use good judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions; demonstrate reliability; establish and maintain professional and respectful work relationships with co-workers, clients, and the general public; maintain confidentiality of restricted information; exhibit good oral and written communication; demonstrate professionalism at all times.

 None

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

High School diploma or equivalent and four years of experience in legal environment in support of an attorney, administrative law judge(s), industrial insurance appeals judge(s), review judge(s) or equivalent 

OR 

One year as a Legal Assistant 2 

OR 

A two-year degree in Legal Secretary Studies, Paralegal Studies or related field of study plus two years of legal office experience 

OR  

A combination of five years of college education and/or relevant experience. 

A Bachelor’s degree may substitute for the Legal Secretary or Paralegal degree. 

Note: Candidates may be required to demonstrate skills in keyboarding, filing, proofreading, grammar, spelling and use of office equipment through agency specific skills testing.