Legal Assistant

The District Attorney's Legal Assistant performs the full range of clerical and legal secretarial tasks, plus tasks that are unique to the Office of District Attorney. Performs a variety of complex word processing and record keeping duties in the District Attorney's Office using DA specific computer software (PROTECT), and MS Outlook and MS Word. Drafts and prepares criminal complaints, juvenile petitions and orders, and miscellaneous other legal documents; handles correspondence and performs data entry for data base of case intakes; completes fingerprint cards; accesses CCAP and multi-state driver records, prepares records, files and performs receptionist duties and schedules hearings; tracks juvenile cases to ensure statutory time limits are met; enters case file data into PROTECT; utilizes CCAP-PROTECT interface. Must be able to multi-task and perform tasks under deadlines. The position requires the exercise of good judgment in the application of office procedures and strict confidentiality. Supervision is provided by the District Attorney and the Assistant District Attorney.

First review of applications June 25, 2026.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Compiles reports for referral in Protect and opens appropriate files and enters data using Word and PROTECT
• Generates letters, memos, summons, subpoenas, warrants, stipulations, motions, orders and miscellaneous other legal forms
• Organizes and supervises the worthless check and immunization programs
• Assists the receptionist, as needed, answering phones, taking messages, scheduling appointments and furnishing information
• Communicates with Sheriff's Office, Wisconsin State Patrol, Department of Natural Resources, Police Departments and other law enforcement agencies, Judges' Offices, Clerk of Court's Office and Department of Health and Human Services, regarding schedules, cases and requests for follow up investigation and does related work as required at the direction of the District Attorney and Assistant District Attorney
• Conducts internet research to obtain information relevant to office needs
• Obtains criminal histories and determines if case may qualify for enhanced penalties
• Updates office calendar
• Accesses the TIME System for Wisconsin to retrieve driving and criminal records
• Updates PROTECT system to ensure case information is current
• Prepares jury instruction requests and witness lists
• Conducts traffic and ordinance pre-trials on behalf of Assistant District Attorney and District Attorney
• Ensures all juvenile orders are distributed to all parties involved in each case
• Assists in courtroom as needed
• Understands and applies statutory deadlines to ensure legal documents are filed and served on time
• Treats all persons dealing with office of District Attorney with equal dignity and genuine courtesy
• Manages correspondence as needed to ensure timely service of process and communication with defendant, witnesses, court staff and others
• Maintains working knowledge of Department of Transportation licensing requirements and procedures
• Maintains strict confidentiality of all District Attorney functions
• Drafts probable cause section of criminal complaints and juvenile delinquency petitions and other various legal documents
• Schedules court hearings and calendars appointments on computer
• Maintains law library and legal research resources
• Serves as TIME System Agency Coordinator and ensures regulatory compliance
• Serves as PROTECT and Statute Administrator
• Prepares Writs regarding prison cases and makes sure prisoners are transported to court from other jurisdictions
• Completes Extraditions with Prison authorities
• Sorts, indexes and files records and materials relevant to the department timely and accurately
• Ensures that subpoenas are served on witnesses prior to trial date
• Ensures that criminal complaints are filed before initial appearance and copies are forwarded to attorneys and defendants
• Receives electronic reports and jail list from Jackson County Sheriff's Department; requests any missing reports from appropriate law enforcement agency
• Provides appropriate counter and over-the-phone service to the general public, attorneys and other agencies by: greeting, providing information and assistance and answering appropriate inquiries
• Interacts with the public and co-workers in a courteous, proficient, and professional manner.Works in a professional manner with attorneys and other court officials
• Performs other duties as assigned

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Post-secondary coursework in legal secretary, paralegal, administrative assistant, or related field; Legal Secretary Certificate preferred
• Minimum of one (1) year experience in a law office or legal services environment
• Computer experience including Microsoft Office Suite, internet, and accounting applications with knowledge of the principles of budgetary accounting

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED TO PERFORM JOB

• Knowledge and understanding of courthouse security procedures
• Ability to read and interpret documents, and laws in the English language
• Ability to listen to and understand information and ideas in spoken and written format so individuals may effectively understand and convey communications
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals
• Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form
• Inductive and deductive reasoning – ability to combine separate pieces of information, or specific answers to problems, to form general rules or conclusions; includes coming up with a logical explanation for why a series of seemingly unrelated events occur together and deciding if an answer makes sense
• Ability to apply working knowledge of Statues and Ordinances, court rules and procedures

BENEFIT SUMMARY:

Health Insurance Employee Contribution 2026:
Non Union Employees:
Premium Employee Share - 11%
Family - $2,477.85/month $ 136.28/pay period
Single - $1,086.78/month $ 59.78/pay period

SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES UNION:
Premium Employee Share - 12%
Family - $2,477.85/month $ 148.67/pay period
Single - $ 1,086.78/month $ 65.21/pay period

Vision - VSP 2026
Family - $11.22/ pay period
Employee 1 - $6.82/ pay period
Employee & Child - $ 6.96/ pay period
Single Plan - $ 3.83/ pay period

Dental Insurance 2026: Employee Share – 50%
Premium Employee Share
Family Plan - $84.98/month $21.25 / pay period
Single Plan - $29.82/month $7.10 / pay period

Life Insurance: County paid for employee equal to yearly salary. Additional coverage and coverage for spouse and dependents are available at additional cost.

Deferred Compensation Plans: Two plans are available.

Voluntary Accident/Cancer/Critical Illness Insurance: Employer will contribute $10 per month towards the plan.

ID Protection

State Retirement: Employer match 50%

PTO: General Employees: 22 days during years 1 & 2 to a maximum of 37 days
Managers: 27 days per year during 1st – 6th years of service; to a maximum of 37 days
Jail/Dispatch: 24 days during years 1-5 to a maximum of 37 days

Holidays: Non-Law Enforcement: 9 specific and 1 floating
Law Enforcement: 10 personal days in lieu of holidays

This benefit summary is for informational purposes only. It is not intended as an implied contract of employment.