Job Announcement
Position: Legal Assistant
Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota seeks to fill the position for Legal Assistant at its Grand Rapids Office. The Grand Rapids Office provides civil legal services to eligible individuals in Itasca and a portion of Cass Counties.
Organization:
Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota (LASNEM) provides legal representation to low-income and senior citizens in 11 counties with offices in Duluth, Grand Rapids, Virginia, Brainerd and Pine City. LASNEM was founded in 1952 and has become an integral part of the justice system and a cornerstone of Northeastern Minnesota’s commitment to the proposition that equal access to justice is a basic human right. In addition to a full range of general poverty law services, LASNEM operates special projects to focus on the unique needs of the clients we serve, such as the Eviction Court in Crow Wing County, the Senior Law Project, the Native American Outreach Project in Itasca County, Domestic Violence Courts in both Crow Wing and Itasca Counties, and integral work for partnerships to prevent homelessness. LASNEM is also one of the seven legal services programs that form the Minnesota Legal Services Coalition.
In every case that we handle, our goal is always to help our clients reach sustainable, holistic resolutions to the problems they face. Legal problems do not arise in a vacuum, nor does resolving a legal matter always achieve the client’s goals of safety, stability and opportunity. To that end, we work closely with community partners all across our service area. Working in tandem with our community partners can often spark a virtuous cycle of success for our mutual clients.
Responsibilities:
The Legal Assistant provides intake services to potential clients, prepares documents and correspondence requiring a knowledge of legal terminology and performs a variety of other administrative tasks to support the legal work to staff attorneys and paralegals with their representation of low-income individuals in all areas of poverty law, such as family law, orders for protection, landlord/tenant disputes, evictions, utilities, public benefits, consumer, expungement, and other civil matters.
Position responsibilities include:
• Professional and respectful communication with potential clients, clients, and co-workers, in person, on the phone and in written communications.
• Complete phone and electronic intake with potential clients to determine eligibility for LASNEM’s services and provide follow up with case handlers and potential clients.
• Provide back-up support to the other Legal Assistants, Paralegals, Attorneys and
Administration.
• Utilize the case management system to screen applicants, accurately process client intakes and perform other tasks as needed.
• Answer and route telephone calls and take messages accurately.
• Provide information to clients and the general public regarding LASNEM's services.
• Acquire knowledge of LASNEM’s services and community resources in order to make appropriate legal and non-legal referrals.
• Provide clerical support to legal staff to include typing letters, reports, and other materials.
• Assist with data input, filing and other requests.
• Assist with community legal education work under the supervision of a case handler.
• Open and route incoming office mail and deliver and process outgoing mail.
• Make bank deposits and run errands as needed.
• Fill-in for other staff as needed; and
• Other duties assigned by the Managing Attorney or Agency Directors.
Compensation:
Salary dependent on years of experience, pursuant to the current pay scale. LASNEM offers a comprehensive benefits package with excellent health, dental, life and disability insurance, 403(b) retirement plan; exceptionality generous paid time off, and observes federal holidays.
DEADLINE: The deadline to apply is December 1, 2021.
Qualifications:
Previous experience in areas of poverty law is preferred but not required. Demonstrable awareness and sensitivity to the needs of the populations we serve is necessary.
Good interpersonal communication skills are required to work with clients and the general public, and to provide a professional and respectful experience to clients. The Legal Assistant must have the ability to problem solve quickly and work with a fast pace. The Legal Assistant must exercise judgment in implementing established policies and procedures and maintaining confidentiality of all information in the office. The person must be fluent in English, have good typing skills, and have skill in the use of personal computers and related software applications.
The person must have knowledge of legal terminology, procedures and processes and good oral and written communication skills. The person must have the ability to work cooperatively with other staff, the ability to analyze and solve problems, database skills, and the ability to gather data, compile information and prepare reports.
The Legal Assistant must be courteous, punctual, honest, motivated, trustworthy, have a willingness to grow professionally, and be professional in appearance and demeanor.
Applicants must be flexible and willing to accept additional duties as necessary.
Please submit a cover letter, resume and list of three references via email only to:
Dori Streit, Executive Director,
[email protected]