Legal Assistant (Civil Division)

$34265 - $44050 / year

Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA) has an opening for a Legal Assistant in Uvalde, Texas, to work with the civil division. The candidate should be detail-oriented, punctual, self-driven, able to work on multiple assignments at once, and responsive to the legal needs of low-income persons. The work schedule is Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., plus additional hours if occasionally requested to meet deadlines. Working under the supervision of the Branch Manager, the primary duties of the legal assistant include, but are not limited to, the following: 

1. Type, file, and handle all clerical office matters for the casehandlers; 

2. Maintain client files and applications and complete assigned work on case files within the required time frame; 

3. Make copies of documents, as requested; 

4. Create files for all new cases; 

5. Notarize documents; 

6. Maintain office law library; 

7. Communicate with clients and other lawyers, as requested; 

8. Coordinate schedules and maintain case requirements calendar of casehandlers, as requested; 

9. Prepare standard pleadings for review by attorneys; 

10. Set hearings, depositions, and other appointments with clients and other attorneys, as requested; 

11. Compose routine correspondence; 

12. Obtain information from databases and check conflicts of interest; 

13. Make appropriate disposition of applications as instructed by an assigned attorney; 

14. Answer office telephone as required and take messages for other staff; 

15. Handle incoming and outgoing mail, ensuring that all incoming mail is distributed to the appropriate parties and that outgoing correspondence is prepared timely and placed in the appropriate location for mailing; 

16. Assist in overflow work to ensure smooth office operations; 

17. Maintain office equipment by replenishing toner in copiers and printers when necessary, refilling copier and printer paper trays as needed, and responding to equipment breakdowns, distracting office conditions and other office conditions requiring management attention; 

18. Maintain office supply inventory and requisition supplies and office equipment when necessary; 

19. Maintain trust accounts according to standard accounting procedures, including typing of trust account checks, receipts, or reporting, whichever is assigned by the branch manager; 

20. Orient new employees on office procedures and brief employees on policy and procedure changes; 

21. Coordinate staff leave and travel arrangements; 

22. Translate; and 

23. All other secretarial duties as may be requested by the immediate supervisor. 

TRLA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

At TRLA, we are committed to offering fair and equal employment opportunities to all job applicants and employees. We strictly prohibit any form of discrimination and harassment of any type based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.  

This position requires, consistent with TRLA’s policy and subject to applicable law, a candidate to provide proof of complete COVID-19 vaccination prior to commencing employment.