Legal Secretary

Overview

AARP Foundation works to end senior poverty by helping vulnerable people over 50 build economic opportunity. Our approach emphasizes equitable outcomes for populations that have faced systemic discrimination. We serve all people 50 plus and their families. Through vigorous legal advocacy and evidence-based solutions, and by building supportive community connections, we foster resilience, advance equity and restore hope.

Performs a broad range of administrative support for one or more attorneys. Performs intake for potential clients and supports attorneys with client communications and investigative work such as gathering evidence, searching records and documents, and/or contacting potential clients and witnesses to gather information. Organizes and maintains case files. Creates and transcribes records of highly sensitive/confidential meetings and conversations and prepares correspondence and legal papers. Arranges appointments and maintains calendars, schedules, and files. Organizes and supports community outreach activities.

Responsibilities

• Schedules appointments, depositions, and meetings and maintains attorneys' files and calendars; makes travel arrangements and prepares and submits expense reports and other financial documents for payment as requested.
• Assists in the onboarding process for new hires, volunteers, and/or interns, including organizing orientation programs; training in office policies, procedures, and technologies; and addressing employee, intern, and volunteer queries regarding office management and facility management issues.
• Prepares, edits, cites checks, and formats correspondence, memoranda, pleadings, briefs, and other legal Retrieves and files legal documents with the courts in person or using the Case Management/Electronic Case Files (CM/ECF) system as requested.
• Organizes and maintains litigation, amicus and other case files, runs case reports, tracks court deadlines, and updates the progress of the case using law practice management Communicates with outside counsel to refer and monitor status of co-counseled and/or pro bono cases.
• Provides legal assistance to clients, including conducting intakes and assisting with client.
• Performs investigative work, records searching, and/or contacting clients, witnesses, and government agencies to gather information.
• Organizes trainings, community outreaches, and legal clinics under the direction and supervision of the attorney- supervisor and helps create presentation decks and relevant materials.
• Participates as a member of practice area team and on cross-organizational working groups to develop innovative approaches to enhance service delivery for organization's clients.

Qualifications

• Paralegal certification a plus
• 5+ years experience as a litigation legal secretary
• Strong skills and knowledge in word processing, MS office, PDF Converter Enterprise, timekeeping programs, document management programs and transcription, grammar, proofreading and organizational skills
• Knowledge and familiarity with Clio law practice management software helpful
• Ability to Bluebook and/or cite check legal pleadings helpful but not required
• Ability to learn and use AARP's internal software programs for legal files, travel and financial transactions along with new computer software programs (i.e., legal research, document management) and instruct others in using them
• Current experience filing documents with state and federal courts, including electronic filing
• Ability to read and understand court rules, including rules for courts you have not worked with before

Additional Requirements

• Regular and reliable job attendance
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Exhibit respect and understanding of others to maintain professional relationships
• Independent judgement in evaluation options to make sound decisions
• In office/open office environment with the ability to work effectively surrounded by moderate noise

Flexible Work Arrangement (FWA)

AARP observes Mondays and Fridays as telecommuting workdays, except for essential functions. Remote work and telecommuting can only be done within the United States and its territories.

Compensation and Benefits

AARP offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including a 401(k); 100% company-funded pension plan; health, dental, and vision plans; life insurance; paid time off to include company and individual holidays, vacation, sick, caregiving, and parental leave; performance-based and peer-based recognition; tuition reimbursement; among others.

Equal Employment Opportunity

AARP is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. AARP does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.