Legal Assistant Order of Protection Program

Job Description

Job Description

Remote or telecommuting:
Part-time in-office position.

Job Description

Supervised by: Managing Director, Family Law and Protective Orders Division
Status: Part -time

Essential Responsibilities

• Assist with the operation of the same-day Order of Protection Clinic and ongoing caseload by providing direct legal services to clients seeking Protective Orders. This includes interviewing clients about their situations and drafting detailed affidavits and pleadings under attorney supervision.
• Assist with providing administrative support to attorneys, including copying, mailing, scanning, scheduling, data entry, file organization, retrieving court documents, and other administrative tasks as assigned.
• Translate/interpret for clients and attorneys as needed.
• Provide a model for new interns by demonstrating proper procedures and interview techniques.
• Provide occasional coverage for the office front desk

Other Responsibilities

• Actively participate in required staff meetings and trainings.
• Keep abreast of the field by maintaining networks and participating in professional organizations.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Work Environment

• Courthouse and offices are fully accessible. Some work at off-site locations may be required, and those may not necessarily be fully accessible.
• Evening and weekend work may occasionally be required.
• Part-time in-office position.
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and scanners. Employee is regularly required to talk, hear, see, and communicate effectively via computer.
• Smoke- and drug-free environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, Associate’s degree, or some college coursework in a relevant field preferred
• Bilingual in Spanish/English required
• Previous legal assistant or intake experience preferred
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Must have completed or be willing to complete 40-hour Domestic Violence training
• Ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds who are in crisis
• Knowledge of or experience with working with survivors of gender-based violence
• Familiarity with principles of trauma-informed care and willingness to complete additional training
• Strong self-motivation and ability to manage multiple tasks
• Basic computer and office skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel, SharePoint, and Adobe
• Ability to work in a fast-paced legal environment
• Sense of humor

As part of the hiring process, pre-employment verification of licenses and/or reference checks may be conducted internally by the agency. We do not utilize third-party vendors for these verifications.

Ascend Justice is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to employ qualified individuals based on individual merit. Ascend Justice does not discriminate against any individual with respect to the terms and conditions of employment based on that individual’s race, sex, age, religion, color, national origin, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, housing status, or any other non-merit factor protected under state, local, or federal laws. Equal Employment Opportunity applies to all personnel actions such as recruiting, hiring, compensation, benefits, promotions, training, transfer, termination, and opportunities for training. Ascend Justice is committed to a fair and equitable workplace where everyone is a respected and valued member of the team. Applicants/clients wishing to lodge a complaint about discrimination in the provision of services can do so by contacting the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. The ICJIA nondiscrimination policy can be found on the ICJIA website at -resources. Applicants can also send complaints via e-mail to [email protected]