Family Law Facilitator

Job Description

Serves as an Official Court Recorder to produce verbatim, accurate and timely reports of proceedings of Superior Court cases on appeal, or as ordered by the Judges or the public.
Acts as Family Law Facilitator to assist unrepresented litigants in family law cases.  Provides assistance in identifying and obtaining correct court forms, explains court procedures, and makes referrals to other resources when appropriate.  Maintains statistics on client demographics and case characteristics, and assists in planning policies and procedures relating to unrepresented litigants and their access to court.
Serves as Judicial Assistant, providing confidential administrative support to the Judges and Court Commissioner as required.
Essential Functions
Produces from audio media original verbatim reports of proceedings (transcripts) of Superior Court, District Court and Municipal Court cases on appeal, or as ordered by the Judges or public, in a timely and accurate manner.  Researches for accuracy the spelling of legal citations and terminology used by experts and others, including legal, medical and pharmaceutical terms.
Coordinates all cases transferred to arbitration by keeping detailed records and statistical data.  Prepares a variety of forms and documents for counsel, pro se litigants and arbitrators.  Registers and maintains information related to arbitrators to ensure an accurate resource.   Ensures all case decisions for cases remanded back to Court for trial are sealed in accordance with statutes.
Asks questions of and elicits information from unrepresented family law litigants in order to assist them to identify and obtain needed forms and documents.  Explains court procedures regarding filing, delivery of documents and scheduling of hearings and trials.  Assists litigants in completing required documents, calculating the amount of support payments and compiling and recording data on clients for evaluation and retention.  Maintains related files.  Refers litigants to other appropriate resources such as social service agencies and distributes informational material.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS
Serves as judicial assistant when required including the preparation of jury instructions for the court, correspondence and other documents.
Initiates or processes court correspondence as required.   Responds to inquiries, problems, complaints or emergencies affecting the availability or quality of service ensuring appropriate and timely resolution of a variety of situations.
Obtains judges signature on all documents requiring court’s review, tracks files and obtains information and files for review and processing by the judge.  Maintains confidentiality of all sensitive reports, correspondence, conversations, special inquires, closed proceedings or other confidential matters.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge of:

English language and legal and medical terminology.
Computers and other electronic equipment
Word processing systems
Legal requirements, regulations and laws applicable to area of assignment
Bookkeeping
Ability to:
Use tact, discretion and courtesy in interdepartmental and public contacts and establish and maintain effective working relationships with public officials, co-workers, and diverse members of the public.
Exert a calming influence on and gain the cooperation of people in crisis.
Listen well, be attentive to detail, and ask pertinent questions in order to provide and obtain necessary information.
Show initiative and work with minimal supervision within assigned area and established guidelines.
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in clear, concise language appropriate for the purpose and parties addressed.
Set up and maintain a variety of files.
Keep accurate statistical information.
Use Word, Excel and other computer programs
Research for accuracy the spelling of all forms of expert testimony and legal citations.
Type accurately and proficiently.
Sit for long periods of time listening to court proceedings on transcriber earphones.
Maintain confidentiality when required.
Physical ability to perform the essential functions of the job.

Minimum Qualifications
Requires an A.A. degree in paralegal studies, OR high school diploma or G.E.D. and five years’ experience as a paralegal/legal secretary, with some family law experience preferred OR any combination of education and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities