Legal Assistant
(Hourly Employee)
Purpose of Job
To provide support for LAWV offices andto give advice to eligible clients under the supervision of an attorney to the extent permitted by law.
Scope of Responsibility
Work performed in the office setting.
Essential Job Functions
- Support through the initial assessment of potential clients to make preliminary determinations concerning case acceptance, drafting of appropriate pleadings, obtaining appropriate information for the relevant disclosure forms, and serving as the primary contact person for the client. Legal Assistants are expected to work closely with clients and the supervising attorney on each case.
- Legal Assistants are not expected to represent clients in hearings, and while they may keep the files in their offices depending upon the policies of the particular office, the legal assistant is not considered the primary case handler of any case.
- Maintain accurate and complete files or records. Timely prepare reports and complete forms and records necessary for client services or administrative tasks related to job.
- Interact with clients and staff and service providers professionally and appropriately. Work with other staff on client services or other program tasks in a professional manner. Develop and nurture good professional relations with service providers who make referrals or otherwise coordinate with the program.
- Within the time constraints of the job, attend and participate in statewide planning meetings, and trainings, as well as office meetings.
- Make a substantial effort to involve private attorneys in the provision of legal services to eligible clients. Legal Assistants will expend efforts on private attorney involvement to the extent that is possible, in their work area, necessary to meet the program obligations for private attorney involvement.
Job Requirements
- Must have demonstrable commitment to understanding and addressing issues of low-income constituents.
- Must be able to type sixty (60) words per minute and operate word processing software.
- Must have skills in using office technologies, including learning LAWV case management software.
- Must be able to balance administrative and work responsibilities.
Physical Requirements
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, or handle, objects, tools, controls or equipment; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear.
- The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
- The physical demands described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodation may will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and physical requirements.
Other Duties
- The statements contained in this job description reflect general details necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility. It should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or to otherwise balance the workload.
- Legal Assistants also will work with their supervisor to develop goals within program priorities and funding; and will work with their supervisor to identify individual training needs.
- Legal Assistants will timely prepare reports and complete forms and records necessary for client services or administrative tasks related to job. Legal Assistants will account for 100% of their time using LAWV time sheets on a bi-weekly basis, with time spent involving private attorneys segregated and identified.
Salary and Benefits
The Legal Assistant position is an hourly position with an annual starting salary range of $29,400 – $34,201. LAWV offers a generous benefits package, a 37.5-hour workweek, paid vacation leave and sick leave and health plan, as well as dental, vision and life benefits. Staff also have the option to participate in a 403(b)-retirement plan and dependent and health flex savings accounts (FSA). LAWV is an eligible nonprofit employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.
The Charleston office serves 7 counties and is the largest office in our firm. This position offers a chance to work with a diverse group of advocates and clients on a variety of social justice and poverty issues. While the main office is in Charleston, outdoor enthusiasts will be delighted to learn that we are just a stone’s throw from some of the state’s most beautiful landmarks, including the New River Gorge, Kanawha State Forest, and the Hatfield/McCoy Trail. Additionally, the nearby Elk, Kanawha and Coal Rivers offer some of the best kayaking opportunities. Lovers of the arts and culture can spend their days exploring the Clay Center for the Arts and Science and the Capitol Market, and their nights enjoying a great meal at one of our many local restaurants. And if you are looking to get away for a weekend, Charleston is a few hours from Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati, OH, Lexington, KY, and Pittsburgh, PA.
If you are passionate about serving others and want to do rewarding work, please send your cover letter and resume to jobs@lawv.net. Applications will be considered until the position is filled.
Share this job opportunity: