Legal Assistant | Employment | Civil Division

Full Job Description

With more than 200 attorneys and professional staff, the Seattle City Attorney’s Office is one of the largest law offices in Seattle and is the third-largest public law office in the state.

Our office is committed to making Seattle a safe, healthy, empowered, and thriving community for everyone.

We strive to address historical injustices within the court system with self-examination and to pursue justice in Seattle with integrity, creativity, and fairness.

We believe working transparently, innovatively, and in collaboration with our partners in the community is necessary to achieve outcomes that promote equity, accountability, and healing.

The Employment Section of the Seattle City Attorney’s Office is looking for a legal assistant to join their team! This position provides administrative support to attorneys who give labor and employment advice to all City departments and who represent the City in employment-related litigation.

The work of the Employment Section is dynamic and often fast-paced. These attorneys shepherd a vast array of projects and cases with multi-dimensional legal questions.

They appear in numerous forums, including federal and state court; the Public Employment Relations Commission; the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals; two Seattle Civil Service Commissions; and in arbitration proceedings.

The group takes a collaborative, team-oriented approach to both litigation and advice work, seeking to build effective and lasting relationships with City departments and their leadership.

The section’s legal assistants are critical to this professional philosophy and are valued members of our enthusiastic and experienced team.

Requirements

Legal assistants in the Employment Section are required to think intelligently and strategically to assist the work of these attorneys.

They must apply their knowledge of legal terminology, legal and regulatory procedures, proper formatting of documents, electronic filing systems, and general office practices.

The legal assistants must be highly skilled in the use of Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Outlook and Excel.

They must also be capable of quickly learning and using a variety of other technological resources. The City Attorney’s Office is increasingly relying on electronic storage and filing.

Legal assistants serve a crucial role in enabling this process and providing support to attorneys.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Preparation of court documents for service and filing;
• Word processing, including proofreading and editing;
• Managing litigation and client advice files, including electronic files;
• Using a variety of applications for litigation support;
• Assisting with attorney calendars;
• Coordinating and arranging meetings;
• Learning and using new databases and software as needed;
• Tracking case assignments and deadlines;
• Tracking invoices from outside vendors and attorneys and preparing them for payment; and
• Developing organizational system improvements when necessary

Qualifications

The successful candidate will have demonstrated abilities to perform the above-described job responsibilities. This includes but is not limited to:

• Comprehensive knowledge of legal terminology, legal procedures, court calendaring practices, court e-filing programs, and court rules, including for litigation.
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and work effectively under significant time pressure.
• Capability of providing timely products with great attention to detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other team members.
• Ability to represent the Law Department in a professional and ethical manner at all times and demonstrate professionalism in all interactions with both employees and outside contacts.
• Ability to use a variety of software packages for litigation support, calendaring, and email-archiving.

Additionally, the City Attorney’s Office is committed to integrating the City of Seattle’s Race and Social Justice Initiative into both the work provided to clients as well as within the organization. The person hired to fill this role will be an active participant in these efforts.

This position requires two years of post-secondary coursework in legal secretarial or business skills and one year of litigation support work demonstrating familiarity with legal form, terminology, and documents (or a combination of education, training and/or experience which provides evidence of the ability to perform the work of the class)

Additional Information

Application Process – For your application to be accepted, you must:

• Complete the online City of Seattle Application
  1. https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle
• Include the following required attachments (.pdf, .doc, or .docx format):
  1. Cover Letter describing your interest in the position.
  2. Resume detailing your relevant experience.

Application Submission Guidelines – All applicants are required to apply on or before the closing date indicated on the job posting.

Applicant inquiries received via email and websites such as Indeed, etc. will not be considered unless the individual has applied to the available position via the Government Jobs site.

Note: The required documents listed in the above "Application Process" section must be attached to the application prior to the job closing date indicated to ensure consideration for the application submitted.

Please contact the Office of Human Resources on or before the closing date indicated above at Law_HR@Seattle.gov should you need assistance with the online application process.

Race and Social Justice Initiative – The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. We seek individuals who will work toward the goals of the Race and Social Justice Initiative.

Compensation – The full pay range for this step-progression position is $34.92 - $39.18 per hour. New employees begin at Step 1 of the pay progression, which is $34.92 hourly. Current City employees starting rate of pay will be based on Personnel Rules regarding promotions. Advanced initial step placement may be considered under limited circumstances, but step salaries are not subject to negotiation.

Benefits – The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, 12 official holidays and 2 floating holidays, sick, and paid parental leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees.

Additional benefits include executive leave, and eligibility for merit leave. City Attorney’s Office employees also have the opportunity to participate in a defined benefits retirement program.

More information about benefits can be found at https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

Workplace Environment – Currently, the Seattle City Attorney's Office has a Flexible Work Arrangements Policy. Employees have the option to work a hybrid schedule (3 days in the office, 2 days remote). This is subject to change as circumstances and business needs dictate.

Who may apply – This position is open to all candidates who meet the minimum qualifications.

The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences.

Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, family or marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, pregnancy, or other protected characteristics.

The Seattle City Attorney's Office encourages people of all backgrounds to apply.

Questions? Contact our Human Resources team at LAW_HR@seattle.gov.