This position performs intermediate and complex specialized legal administrative work of more than average difficulty for attorneys who practice in the civil litigation area associated with the Office of the City Attorney.The City of Fort Lauderdale is seeking a senior legal assistant for the Office of the City Attorney, with at least three (3) years' experience performing legal administrative duties and assignments for attorneys who practice in the civil litigation area. Qualified applicants should have experience in composing, editing, and preparing correspondence, notices of hearing, notices of deposition, and other varied litigation related documents, under the general direction and supervision of an attorney. The applicant should also have experience in calendaring and monitoring pretrial deadlines, and assembling documents and exhibits as needed in preparing for depositions, mediation, and/or trials.An employee in this class is responsible for the performance of confidential and varied administrative duties and assignments related to the litigation of civil cases. Work requires the application of knowledge of legal procedures, requirements and terminology in meeting a variety of assignments. Limited independence of action is exercised in the disposition of routine work matters, giving and receiving information, scheduling and communicating with staff.  Detailed instructions are received from supervisor when involving complex and legal terminology, including the drafting of certain notices, subpoenas, and other litigation related documents.
Essential functions are the basic job duties that an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation. The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification.   The omission of a function does not preclude management from assigning essential duties not listed herein if such duties relate to the position.
Essential Job Functions 

Proofreads typed documents; files and maintains documents and other basic data needed by the attorneys in the conduct of official business.
Receives and responds to inquiries; explains standard programs and performs other public contact work.
Keeps legal calendar; assembles documents and exhibits needed in preparing cases; maintains file dockets on ongoing litigation cases.
Composes, edits, and prepares correspondence, notices of hearing, notices of depositions, and other varied litigation related documents.
Types and edits reports, ordinances, resolutions, drafts, legal pleadings, legal briefs, agreements, correspondence and other legal documents.
Schedules appointments, meetings and court dates for legal staff.
Assembles documents and exhibits as needed in preparing for depositions, mediation, and/or trials.
Types and routes routine replies to correspondence; sorts and distributes mail.
Performs related work as required.

Job Requirement & Work Environment

Have successfully graduated from a standard high school or possess a G.E.D. from a recognized issuing agency preferably including or supplemented by courses in legal administration, paralegal work or a related field.
Three (3) years of experience performing legal administrative duties and assignments for attorneys who practice in the personal injury-related civil litigation area.
Be able to type at least 40 words per minute.

PREFERENCES:

Certified Paralegal (CP) or Certified Legal Assistant (CLA).
Experience performing administrative legal work in personal injury, insurance defense, or general litigation cases.
Previous experience working for local, state or federal government.
Experience with Time Matters legal software.
Proficient in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook, and Microsoft Excel.

NOTE:  The duties of this position will include all of those duties set forth in the official job description.This position will remain open until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.The City offers a wide variety of benefits to their employees. In addition to the competitive benefits package and salary, the City offers 401(a) participation with a 9% City contribution and no employee match!Say "Hello" to the City of Fort Lauderdale and Say "Goodbye" to Your Student Loan! That's right! Under the U.S. Department of Education's Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, the remaining balance on your student loan may be forgiven after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time at the City of Fort Lauderdale!  Please visit www.fortlauderdale.gov/PublicServiceLoanForgiveness for more information or to see if you qualify.
 
Depending on the number of applicants and the quality of their education and experience, the examination may consist of one or more of the following tests: Evaluation of Training and Experience, Oral Interview, Written Examination, or other assessment method. Applicants must attain a minimum score of 70 in each part of the examination in order to qualify. All successful applicants may be required to pass a medical examination, including drug screening, prior to appointment. An eligible veteran who enters an open-competitive examination shall receive preference points added to the total passing score earned in the examination as provided for in the Florida Statutes. To obtain veteran's preference, candidates MUST submit a copy of separation papers and the City of Fort Lauderdale's veteran's preference claim form (J204) at time of application.