Legal Technician - General Counsel

SUMMARY: Under direction of the General Counsel, performs specialized administrative duties in support of the General Counsel.  Responsible for monitoring the status of legal cases, ensuring that they are handled within the mandates of the law and as ordered by the court throughout all stages of the process.  Acts in a confidential capacity and provides operational support for the General Counsel and Paralegal.  Must have the ability to communicate in an effective and appropriate manner and to establish good rapport with others.  Maintains confidentiality and determines priority of matters pertaining to legal cases. Must adhere to strict deadlines and state-mandated requirements. Has no supervisory responsibility.

HOURLY RANGE:

• $21.2700 - $29.9291 per hour

SIGN-ON BONUS!

• $250 sign-on bonus after the completion of 90 days of employment at IRC with work performance in good standing.
• $500 sign-on bonus after the completion of 6 months of employment at IRC with work performance in good standing.
• Make sure to tell us if an IRC employee referred you when you get to that question on your application! Please include their full name.
• This incentive is only available for new employees. Rehires are not eligible for the sign-on bonuses.  

GENEROUS BENEFITS PACKAGE AND EMPLOYEE PERKS:

• To view our benefits package and employee perks, please click HERE .

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform daily administrative duties as directed by the General Counsel. Complete necessary paperwork, court pleadings, reports, etc. on a timely basis.  Adheres to court-ordered and statutory deadlines. Prepares pleadings, memoranda, correspondence and reports as directed by the General Counsel, which may include material of a confidential and sensitive matter. 
• Review and process incoming mail in a timely manner. Receive and process legal documents regarding all probate (conservatorships and trusts) and civil matters (i.e., Court Orders, Minute Orders, petitions, complaints, writs and other related court documents).
• Assist with overseeing the handling of all probate and civil matters, ensuring that Minute Orders are obtained and processed, and IRC staff-prepared reports are reviewed, finalized and filed in a timely manner.
• Notify designated IRC staff of court-related deadlines and advise staff of pending work that is due.
• Coordinate appointments with the General Counsel.
• Gather and summarize data, researching and soliciting information as directed by the General Counsel and Paralegal. Request data, information and materials from outside sources, including law libraries, courts, Department of Developmental Services, law firms, Lexis and internet sources.
• Maintain the confidential, administrative and chronological files and records of the General Counsel and Paralegal in a current and orderly manner. Handle all routine office details.
• Assist in maintaining the monthly calendar on Outlook by entering all meetings, deadlines for court-related reports and pleadings, dates for court appearances, etc. and obtain continuances, when necessary.
• Maintain computerized log to include deadlines for court-related reports, pleadings and court appearances.
• Preliminarily review staff-prepared reports for grammar and substance; arrange for Paralegal/General Counsel to review staff-prepared court reports and/or meet with staff for case consultation; direct Consumer Services Coordinators in making necessary corrections.
• Coordinate and prepare timely court filings of Special Needs Trust Petitions, IRC’s staff-prepared court reports and other related documents with various courts, including travel to court as necessary. Complete service to required parties by email, mail, fax or e-filing and prepare/file Proof of Service.
• Receive, process and distribute conservatorship Orders Appointing Probate Conservators and Letters of Conservatorships.
• Receive, organize and respond to subpoenas, summons, complaints, writs, discovery, notices of depositions and other pleadings under the direction of the General Counsel.
• Perform administrative support work to include scanning documents, copying, creating case files, indexing, and filing; purge or scan archived documents in accordance with agency retention guidelines.
• Act as a liaison to the courts as a point of contact for court officers and attorneys seeking consumer information of the regional center.
• Assist IRC staff who may need assistance with looking up court case information, preparing correspondence to the court or with obtaining additional documents from the courts or attorneys.
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative, cooperative and positive working relationships with consumers, authorized representatives, vendors, state agencies, court personnel, attorneys and IRC staff.
• Ability to handle change well and be flexible and adaptable in dealing with interruptions, new priorities, and new assignments.
• Ability to handle a hybrid work environment consisting of working in the office and remotely at home while maintaining work productivity and efficiency; communicate via telephone calls, video conference calls, emails, and chat rooms.
• Work cooperatively and effectively with others; perform as a member of the team, answer questions, share expertise and contribute to the harmony of the team.
• Maintain good attendance and punctuality.
• Keep General Counsel and Paralegal informed of pending work, work in progress and problems encountered.
• Use equipment appropriately and report any need for repairs; keep work area neat and orderly and free from hazards.
• Utilize IRC’s IT systems as assigned, maintaining security and following IRC protocols, procedures, rules and requirements.
• Observe all safety rules and comply with IRC’s Injury and Illness Prevention Plan and Workplace Violence Prevention Plan.­­
• Comply with Agency’s Personnel policies and procedures.
• Perform different or additional duties as assigned by the General Counsel or Paralegal.

MINIMUM POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• High school diploma.
• Three years of increasingly responsible office and secretarial experience involving skilled typing, public contact and a variety of secretarial activities. Three years prior experience at IRC or in a legal setting is desired but not required. 
• Knowledge of general office practices and procedures including business correspondence, filing, and operation of office equipment and computer software, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Knowledge of WordPerfect and Atlas is desired but not required.
• Ability to organize work and meet deadlines.
• Ability to perform clerical work involving independent judgment, accuracy and speed.
• Ability to learn and follow complex policies and procedures.
• Ability to learn how to read court orders and understand complex regional center legal responsibilities.
• Ability to spell and punctuate correctly and make simple math computations.
• Ability to follow oral and written directions.
• Demonstrated ability to type accurately (50 WPM).
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Full use of an automobile, possession of a valid driver’s license and automobile liability insurance for the minimum amount prescribed by law, or ability to provide for independent transportation.
• Must have and maintain a safe driving record.

We are proud to be an EEO employer. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.