The Legal Assistant plays an integral role in achieving the mission of New Hampshire Public Defender to provide high quality legal representation to indigent citizens accused of criminal acts. The Legal Assistant, working in a team-based environment, provides clerical, informational, logistical, and reception support to clients, attorneys, management, related staff, and Program constituents. They must also work cooperatively with the office team of attorneys and investigators and, as applicable, the team of Legal Assistants.
Key Responsibilities
Includes but may not be limited to:
• Provides physical or telephone services for clients, clients’ families, and visitors. Provides as much assistance and information to callers as appropriate, without giving legal advice.
• Provides information to clients, scheduling clients as appropriate, and listening empathetically to clients and their families.
• Produces documents as requested by assigned attorneys in a manner that most efficiently utilizes time.
• Enters and maintains calendar events for attorneys including court events, client appointments, meetings, and other events.
• Enters relevant data into computer-based case management system accurately and in a timely fashion so that all necessary information is available for document production, scheduling, conflict management, attorney, investigator, office and Program management.
• Participates with attorneys and others in planning and scheduling to meet established deadlines and to ensure the completion of assignments and projects.
Requirements
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Maintains a professional appearance, in dress and in work area.
• Demonstrates respect for clients and is consistent with a professional services environment.
• Works well under pressure and demonstrates proactive attitude toward problem solving, conflict resolution and the needs of the office and administrative staff.
• Excellent keyboarding skills as well as proofreading and editing skills are a requirement. Strong word processing skills and facility with other standard office and computer systems are also required
Education and Experience
• A high school diploma or GED is required.
• Previous work in a legal setting is highly desired.
• Post-secondary education in Paralegal Studies, Criminal Justice, or a relative field, is highly desired.
Physical Requirements
Physical requirements include retrieving and distributing files, written documents, or office supplies weighing up to 20 pounds; retrieving and replacing objects from shelves up to eight feet high; sitting and keyboarding for extended periods of time.
Benefits
• Holidays/PTO/Sick Time
• State Health and Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life/Disability Insurance
• 403(b) Retirement Account
• Professional Development Opportunities
The New Hampshire Public Defender was established in 1972 as a pilot project of New Hampshire Legal Assistance, and has existed as a stand-alone institution since 1985. Its sole purpose is to provide indigent defense services to citizens charged with crimes. The Program began with a single office in Concord. Over time, the Program opened satellite offices in other counties, and established administrative offices in its Merrimack County office, located in Concord, the state capital.
In 1981, the Public Defender, in collaboration with the Franklin Pierce Law Center (now the University of New Hampshire School of Law), started the Appellate Defender Program, which provides indigent defense services to defendants who appeal their convictions to the New Hampshire Supreme Court.
Today, the Public Defender is an independent, non-profit, corporation with offices in every county. The Program works diligently to provide quality representation in a cost-effective manner to indigent defendants accused of crimes in all state courts. In addition to its attorneys, the Public Defender employs legal assistants, investigators, support staff, and information technology specialists, all of whom are dedicated to its core mission of serving indigent citizens accused of crimes.
