Legal Secretary - Support Services Workgroup

POSITION: Legal Secretary - Support Services Workgroup

LOCATION: Santa Monica Community Office (On-Site 4 days a week)

SALARY: $52,500.00k - $59,055.36k / annually DOE, with excellent benefits

AVAILABILITY: Immediately

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Continuous until position is filled.

Are you interested in joining an organization dedicated to increasing access to justice while addressing systemic inequities among the most vulnerable members of the Greater Los Angeles area? If yes, LAFLA is the place for you!

The Organization: LAFLA is a nonprofit law firm that protects and advances the rights of the most underserved—leveling the playing field and ensuring that everyone can have access to the justice system. Celebrating 95 years of service to Los Angeles communities, LAFLA is the first and most experienced legal aid organization in Greater Los Angeles. LAFLA has more than 200 employees, including more than 100 attorneys, who provide free services and resources on a broad range of civil legal issues that impact healthy, safety, and self-sufficiency. Every year, LAFLA helps more than 100,000 people find their voice, regain control of their lives, and build a brighter future. Our unique combination of neighborhood offices, self-help centers at courthouses, and domestic violence clinics puts LAFLA on the frontlines in communities at the forefront of change. LAFLA also engages in impact litigation to help enact long-term systemic change—actively collaborating with a network of public and private partners to expand access to justice, identify needs in the communities we serve, and change laws and policies that adversely affect the underserved. For more information, please visit www.lafla.org.

LAFLA is currently accepting applications for the position of Legal Secretary.

NOTE – This role will report on-site out of our Ron Olson Justice Center office 4 days a week.

QUALIFICATIONS:

􀁸 Minimum of 2 years of legal secretary or administrative experience, preferably in litigation.

􀁸 Familiarity with California court rules and electronic filing (eFiling) procedures required, with experience in unlawful detainer (eviction), domestic violence, or family law matters strongly preferred.

􀁸 Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Teams), Adobe, and Zoom applications.

􀁸 Outstanding written and oral communications skills.

􀁸 Strong time management skills and the ability to work productively in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail.

􀁸 Positive attitude with a demonstrated ability to interact respectfully with diverse staff and community members.

􀁸 Commitment to LAFLA’s mission to advance equal justice for people living in poverty across Greater Los Angeles.

􀁸 Bilingual in Spanish is strongly preferred.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

􀁸 Provide comprehensive secretarial and administrative support to attorneys who primarily handle eviction defense, landlord-tenant, domestic violence, and family law matters.

􀁸 Open new cases and properly maintain electronic and physical case files in accordance with LAFLA and funder requirements.

􀁸 Prepare, format, and proofread legal documents, pleadings, and correspondence, including answers, motions, declarations, and requests for orders.

􀁸 File documents electronically (eFiling) and ensure timely and accurate filings and service of documents in compliance

with court rules. 􀁸 Maintain attorney schedules, including calendaring and docketing all court dates, and arranging meetings, depositions, and court appearances.

􀁸 Communicate with clients, court personnel, opposing counsel, vendors, and other parties professionally and courteously, in person, by phone, and in writing.

􀁸 Prepare case binders and exhibits for hearings and trials.

􀁸 Assist with front desk and legal hotline coverage as assigned to support the legal team in furtherance of LAFLA’s mission.

􀁸 Perform clerical duties, such as mail processing, photocopying, scanning, and office supply maintenance.

􀁸 If bilingual, provide translation and interpretation services.

HOW TO APPLY - Please submit a cover letter and resume online to sswgjobs@lafla.org. Include “Legal Secretary - SSWG” in the subject line.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD - A six month probationary period will be required.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER – Selection will be based solely on merit and will be without discrimination because of race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, creed, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, age, religion, genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military or veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, marital or registered domestic partners status, or any other legally protected status.

The organization is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees pursuant to applicable law. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. If you require reasonable accommodation as part of the application process or expect to require an accommodation if hired, please contact humanresources@lafla.org

BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION – LAFLA offers a diverse environment with competitive compensation based on comparable public interest salaries. We also offer a generous benefits package for full-time employees including medical, dental, and vision for employees and dependents, life insurance, long-term disability and long-term care insurance, and 403(b) retirement plan. Employees may also qualify for bilingual supplements, law student loan reimbursements, and a cell phone stipend.

COMMITMENT TO EMPLOYEE WELLNESS – Due to the mission driven nature of the organization, LAFLA is committed to a healthy work-life balance for all staff. In addition to a hybrid work schedule and robust benefits package, LAFLA staff enjoy wellness related benefits and employee assistance programs through our offered medical plans, as well as Wellness Friday video sessions, a wellness content library, 15 LAFLA observed holidays, and generous time off benefits.

SUSTAINABLE HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE – LAFLA has recently adopted a sustainable schedule whereby employees get several Fridays off during the year. Depending on job classifications, some LAFLA staff are working on a manager approved hybrid work schedule, with the ability to work remotely up to half the week, if preferred, after the probationary period. The successful candidate must be local and willing to work from the assigned LAFLA location.

BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION – LAFLA offers a diverse environment with competitive compensation based on comparable public interest salaries. We also offer a generous benefits package for full-time employees including medical, dental, and vision for employees and dependents, life insurance, long-term disability and long-term care insurance, and 403(b) retirement plan. Employees may also qualify for bilingual supplements, law student loan reimbursements, and a cell phone stipend.

COMMITMENT TO EMPLOYEE WELLNESS – Due to the mission driven nature of the organization, LAFLA is committed to a healthy work-life balance for all staff. In addition to a hybrid work schedule and robust benefits package, LAFLA staff enjoy wellness related benefits and employee assistance programs through our offered medical plans, as well as Wellness Friday video sessions, a wellness content library, 15 LAFLA observed holidays, and generous time off benefits.

SUSTAINABLE HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE – LAFLA has recently adopted a sustainable schedule whereby employees get several Fridays off during the year. Depending on job classifications, some LAFLA staff are working on a manager approved hybrid work schedule, with the ability to work remotely up to half the week, if preferred, after the probationary period. The successful candidate must be local and willing to work from the assigned LAFLA location.

Spanish strongly preferred