Temporary Legal Secretary in Washington, District of Columbia at District of Columbia Bar
Explore Related Opportunities
Job Description
The Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC) investigates complaints and allegations of ethical misconduct against attorneys licensed in the District of Columbia. It initiates appropriate resolutions, ranging from dismissals and diversions to informal admonitions and formal charges. The Temporary Legal Secretary provides administrative support to at least three (3) busy attorneys and reports to the Office Manager. This is a temporary full-time position.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Types from draft, edit, and format legal documents, including hearing exhibits and pre-trial pleadings, briefs, motions, letters, and memoranda, according to the rules of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals (DCCA) and the Board on Professional Responsibility (BPR).
- Prepares subpoenas duces tecum and ensures proper service.
- Proofreads documents for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and format conformity.
- Organizes, labels, bookmarks, redacts, and Bates stamp paper and electronic documents for use as hearing exhibits.
- Ensures prompt and proper filing and service by electronic and traditional means of legal filings and documentary evidence with the BPR, the DCCA, and opposing counsel.
- Prepares and submits electronic case files and disposition documents for contact member review to BPR.
- Promptly prepares, files, and serves disposition documents after contact member approval.
- Successfully manages competing priorities to meet deadlines consistently.
- Ensures timely processing of new cases by preparing and transmitting appropriate correspondence.
- Calculates and calendars due dates accurately according to office guidelines and BPR and DCCA rules; tracks due dates for follow-up.
- Enters incoming and outgoing correspondence, documents, bank records, emails, and other activities into the electronic case tracking system; ensures prompt, accurate, and consistent entries.
- Updates case information in tracking system as necessary, including, but not limited to, case status, parties’ contact information, and counsel information.
- Prepares and submits attorney expense reports.
- Creates and maintains physical and electronic case files.
- Assists other administrative staff as needed and performs other role-relevant duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Relevant work experience.
- Expert knowledge in providing litigation support, including preparing, formatting, and e-filing briefs, exhibits, and motions.
- Expert knowledge in creating tables of contents and authorities using Microsoft Word.
- Proficient in Microsoft 365, particularly Outlook, Word, and Excel.
- Advanced skills using Adobe Pro, including creating PDF bookmarks, attachments, Bates Numbering, redactions, watermarks, document and web hyperlinks, and digital and electronic signatures.
- Excellent time-, task-, and project-management skills.
- Must work well under pressure, possess excellent organizational abilities, and successfully manage daily tasks.
- Must be detail-oriented, deadline-driven, and able to work well in a fast-paced environment.
- Effectively communicate verbally and in writing with staff, the public, hearing committee members, Board members, judges, and opposing counsel.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills.
- Knowledge of general office equipment, including printers, scanners, and copiers.
- Work well in a team environment and interact professionally with the public and staff.
- Must be adaptable, creative, self-motivated, and proactive.
- Available to work overtime when needed.
- Ability to handle and maintain the confidentiality of highly sensitive information.
- Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working environment.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Associate degree, legal secretary certification, or relevant experience.
- Experience using electronic case and document management systems.
- Experience using cloud-based file share platforms – e.g., OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox.
This is a hybrid position, with days worked onsite and days worked remotely. At least the first 30 days of employment will be exclusively onsite. The hybrid status of this position may change at any time, subject to the ODC’s discretion.
This is not an attempt to list all the essential functions of this position. Job duties may change over time based on organizational/department needs.
The ODC is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law.
The ODC is committed to providing qualified individuals with reasonable accommodations to perform the essential functions of their jobs, pursuant to applicable law. If you require reasonable accommodation as part of the application process, please contact Human Resources at HR@dcbar.org.
As part of the accommodation process, we will conduct an individualized, interactive process and may ask you for additional information. Additionally, final hiring decisions or start dates may be delayed while the accommodation review process is ongoing if the individual cannot begin work without the requested accommodation.