SMRLS is seeking to fill a Legal Secretary position in its St. Paul, Minnesota office. This position will be based in the St. Paul Midway office location. This is a full-time position to support both the Immigration and Education law units among other duties.

SMRLS is a non-profit law firm that receives federal, state, local public, and private funding to provide free legal help to low-income and elderly people who reside in 33 counties in Southern Minnesota. As Minnesota’s oldest legal aid program (founded in 1909), SMRLS has established a tradition of partnership with the private bar, a bi-partisan Legislature, the Minnesota Supreme Court, and other Minnesota Legal Service Coalition members in providing access to justice. SMRLS has an experienced, dynamic staff of more than 60 attorneys, 40 additional staff and 750 volunteer attorneys who provide legal assistance to over 200,000 eligible people.

SMRLS is a client-centered organization committed to its Mission to provide a full range of high quality legal services, in a respectful manner which enable clients to: enforce their legal rights; maintain freedom from hunger, homelessness, sickness and abuse; empower persons to ensure equal opportunity, thus, helping persons to help themselves and become economically self-reliant, to the extent their individual ability and circumstances permit. SMRLS values, welcomes and promotes diversity in all aspects of its work. SMRLS has adopted Practice Standards and Guiding Principles to accomplish its Mission.

SMRLS values, welcomes, and promotes diversity in all aspects of its work. SMRLS serves clients from a wide range of backgrounds. SMRLS has adopted a Racial Justice policy to guide the firm’s work towards racial equality.

The Midway office is in the Community Action Building off of University Avenue. The legal secretary position in the St. Paul Midway office involves providing support to attorneys and other staff serving eligible clients residing in the 33 counties of southern Minnesota.

Responsibilities:
Provide secretarial support for attorneys and paralegals by performing
secretarial and clerical functions such as keyboarding and transcribing legal and technical
materials, writing court orders, preparing subpoenas, and filing documents in court.

Type and/or transcribe on word processor or typewriter, a variety of legal documents or letters,
memoranda from rough draft, dictation, copy or digital dictation file. Prepare documents
from general instructions or by following standard procedures. Proofread typewritten or word
processed materials to ensure quality. Photocopy and assemble legal documents, compose
routine correspondence, including letters of inquiry and acknowledgment and maintain files of
correspondence and clients. Oversee signing of legal papers by clients and notarize documents
where necessary. Complete any necessary statistical data forms and prepare reports.

May perform duties relating to public contacts, general office services and other miscellaneous
tasks such as photocopying, filing or other secretarial or clerical duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

An Associate Degree in Secretarial Studies or successful completion of a
Two-Year Legal Secretary or Secretarial Program at a business school or vocational/technical
institute. Completion of one year business school or vo-tech secretarial certificate program and
two years of Legal Secretary experience with satisfactory evaluations may substitute for the two-year educational requirement. Three years of Legal Secretary experience may substitute for the one-year educational requirement.

Knowledge of spelling and grammar, general office procedures, legal terminology is required.
Ability to use computer software, including word processing, basic spreadsheets, email, and
internet browsers are required. Experience using electronic typewriters, transcription equipment, photocopiers, calculator and telephone equipment are preferred.

Ability to do sustained and accurate typing (60 words per minute) of technical and legal material is required. Ability to set priorities and meet work deadlines, to work independently in the absence of instructions and demonstrated use of discretion in the handling of confidential
information is required. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with
attorneys, other employees and clients is required. Ability to understand written and oral
instructions, transcribe legal dictation quickly and accurately from dictating equipment and/
or shorthand notes, to work under pressure, cope with emergencies and meet deadlines is
required. Must be attentive to detail and be able to communicate effectively by phone and in
person. Spanish, Karen, or Somali language skills preferred.

Salary: $33,132+ DOE, according to scale. Excellent benefits provided. $3000 bonus for proficient second language skills.

To Apply:
Please send a cover letter, resume and three references to:
SMRLS Attn: HR, 55 East 5th St, Ste 800, St. Paul MN 55101 or online at smrls.org

SMRLS is committed to diversity in the workplace. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.