JOB OPPORTUNITY BULLETIN
Posting Date: June 16, 2025
Date Posting Will Close: June 20, 2025
Job Title: Legal Assistant
Department: Public Defender’s Office
Location: Purvis, Lamar County, MS
Salary: Dependent upon experience
Position Summary: See Attached Job Description
This job description is not intended and should not be considered to be a complete list of all duties, skills, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the job. It is intended to be a reasonable outline of those principal job elements essential in maintaining related position. The job description is not a contract; the County reserves the right to modify job descriptions at any time.
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Legal Assistant
SUMMARY: The position of Legal Assistant consists of general clerical work and assisting the Public Defender in the representation of indigent clients in Lamar County, along with other duties as assigned.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Answer phones and respond to emails in a professional and timely manner
- Maintain accurate client contact information and schedule client meetings
- Serve as a liaison between the attorney and clients and/or clients’ families
- Provide general office administrative support, including calendar management, tracking court dockets, word processing, copying, scanning, transmitting documents, and processing mail
- Request and receive discovery materials, including the use of MEC, and assist in preparation of case files
- Close out case files upon case disposition
- Proofread and edit legal documents such as briefs and motions; conduct research and drafting as requested by the attorney
- File pleadings with the appropriate courts as directed
- Assist with data entry and record-keeping
- Accompany the attorney to court when needed
- Support trial preparation efforts, including preparing exhibits, coordinating witnesses, and managing logistics
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Knowledge of court procedures and practices
- Ability to access computer information contained in the court screens and from the jail management system
- Skilled in the operation of office equipment and computers
- Ability to use various computer software programs, such as Excel, Outlook, Word, Pacer, MEC and Zoom
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
- Ability to maintain confidential information
- Ability to perform research
- Ability to interact effectively with employees in other units of the organization, other departments, management, outside agencies and/or the general public
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
- High school diploma or GED
- Prior legal experience preferred
Lamar County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We comply fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and ensure that all employment practices are conducted in a fair and non-discriminatory manner.