Legal Assistant - Butte

The Montana Legal Services Association has an opening for a part-time (18 hours/week) legal assistant in our Butte office. The legal assistant will provide support for MLSA’s Butte Domestic Violence (DV) Staff Attorney and assistance to pro se clients at the direction of the attorney. Applicants must demonstrate excellent practical skills, strong people skills, and flexibility.

Specific Duties

• Coordinate communication among the applicants, clients, intake specialists, and Butte Staff Attorney regarding case status
• Timely communicate with applicants and clients to obtain more information as needed
• Perform conflict screening, assist applicants with forms, and coordinate with intake staff in the gathering of relevant information
• Provide overall support to Butte DV Staff Attorney and participate in DV meetings where schedule allows
• Draft correspondence, discovery, and simple pleadings or use appropriate MLSA forms
• Calendar case-related dates and events
• File pleadings in local courts (conventional and electronic) on behalf of the attorney; prepare service of court filings and discovery; investigate, examine, and analyze information obtained from court filings, in discovery, and from other sources as needed or requested
• Assist with case file management including organizing and maintaining electronic and paper files
• Other duties as assigned by Butte DV Staff Attorney and MLSA management

Requirements

• Associate degree or paralegal training preferred, but not required
• Prior legal experience is preferred, but a demonstrated commitment to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion through volunteer activities and internships is valued
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to work with diverse and low-income clients in emotionally charged situations
• Ability and willingness to work cooperatively and collegially within a decentralized statewide law firm
• Proficient at the use of technology, including, but not limited to, word processing, spreadsheets, internet-based programs and computer-based legal research
• Willingness to learn and further develop technology skills and abilities
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and the ability to work in a close office setting at the direction of multiple levels of supervisors
• Ability to shift priorities immediately and attend to details conscientiously under time-pressured deadlines
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality as to client information