The Office of the Appellate Defender is seeking qualified applicants for a Legal Assistant position. The Office of the Appellate Defender assigns lawyers for all persons in North Carolina entitled to appointed counsel in the state appellate courts. The Appellate Defender's Office has a staff of twenty-one attorneys who represent indigent clients on appeal and consult with other appointed appellate and trial counsel. Subject matter of the appeals includes criminal convictions for capital and other serious and violent felony offenses.
Duties include but are not limited to: answer multi-line telephone system and forward calls and messages; photocopy and scan; data entry; file management; format and file briefs, motions, and other legal documents in North Carolina courts and the United States Supreme Court; contacting court staff around the state to facilitate getting court documents such as court files and transcripts; and various other administrative tasks as necessary. There is very little personal contact with clients or the public but there is extensive telephone communication with attorneys, court personnel, clients, and clients' families.
Must be flexible in accommodating deadlines including occasionally staying late to complete court filings.
Office Location:
The Office of the Appellate Defender will be moving in June 2024. The Office is currently located at 123 W. Main Street in downtown Durham. Effective July 1, 2024, the Office will be located at 1830 Fordham Blvd. in Chapel Hill. The successful applicant must be agreeable to work at the office in Durham and be willing to relocate in June 2024 to the office in Chapel Hill.
This position requires in-person full-time attendance in the office with very little, if any, opportunity for working remotely.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies
Knowledge of: office practices and procedures; grammar and punctuation; legal terms and forms; commonly used rules, procedures, or methods to perform recurring assignments.
Skills in: proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, and Access; proficiency with Adobe Acrobat; high attention to detail; use of a typewriter, computer, and copier.
Ability to: set priorities for tasks under the pressure of competing deadlines; be self-motivated; work well within a team; carry a minimum of 15 pounds; maintain client confidentiality; accept advice and learn from supervisors and other team members; work with colleagues in a cooperative and collaborative manner; and treat clients with diverse life experiences and backgrounds with dignity and respect.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
An associate degree and one year of legal secretarial experience are preferred but not required. Special consideration will be given to applicants with experience in criminal law.