Legal Assistant - Appellate Division (Salem or Portland)

Initial Posting Date:

08/22/2025

Application Deadline:

09/01/2025

Agency:

Department of Justice

Salary Range:

$3,856 - $5,325

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Legal Assistant - Appellate Division (Salem or Portland)

Job Description:

The Oregon Department of Justice’s Appellate Division is seeking a dynamic self-starter and experienced Legal Assistant (Legal Secretary) to join in either our Portland or Salem office. This role comes with a variety of daily duties of word processing, e-filings with the Appellate Courts, tracking cases for petitions for review, and handling United States Supreme Court cases. This position offers a hybrid schedule which requires a minimum of 1 day in office and up to 4 days remote work. Note: Training will require additional days in the office.

The Appellate Division represents the State of Oregon and all its agencies, departments, boards, and commissions before all state and federal appellate courts, and occasionally in state circuit courts.  The division, through its attorneys, is responsible for defending the state's legal policies in written briefs, oral arguments, and occasionally in trial.

We strive to build an inclusive and performance-oriented workplace where all individuals are welcomed and appreciated, leading to increasingly higher levels of fulfillment and success. We offer generous benefits for you and your family, great work-life balance, and a strong public service mission you can get behind. Apply today!

Job Duties (in part)

• Transcribe, format, proofread, revise and print a full range of complex legal and non-legal documents.

• Electronically file documents and accompanying exhibits in multiple courts.

• Draft routine correspondence as directed and according to established procedures, policies, and guidelines from dictated, typed or handwritten material.

• Communicate with and support multiple assigned attorneys ensuring all filing deadlines are met.

• Track, maintain, and process cases requiring review by the Oregon Supreme Court and follow the process through the end.

• Calendar deadlines associated with filings.

• Handle all United States Supreme Court cases for the Division (track, process, prepare, etc.)

• Assist other Appellate Legal Assistants with workload overflow, including preparing correspondence, processing mail, calendaring, scheduling meetings, etc.

• Perform special projects as directed.

Conduct Expectations

The role of the Oregon Department of Justice is to serve state government and to support safe and healthy communities throughout Oregon by providing essential justice services. Employees of the Department are required to meet the highest standards of professional conduct and ethics while on the job and maintain those same standards in their personal lives where actions could reflect on the Department. 

Required Experience

Research suggests that women and people of color are less likely to apply unless they are confident they meet 100% of the listed qualifications. We welcome members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and all interested individuals to apply, and allow us to evaluate the knowledge, skills, and abilities that you demonstrate, using an intentional equity lens.

• Two years of clerical/secretarial experience which included at least one year as a legal assistant or secretary for an attorney or judge or performance of legal support duties (such as preparing legal documents, maintaining legal records, or researching legal information). Experience must include proficiency in word processing software.

AND

• Have and maintain a valid driver's license.

Work experience is based on a 40-hour work week. (Example: 20 hours a week for one year would equal six-months of work experience.)

We're Also Looking For

• Demonstrated experience providing technical legal support (or above) in a legal setting.

• Experience with word processing, such as transcription or drafting legal correspondence.

• Experience working with court, case and legal informational management systems (for example, OECI, ACMS, PACER) and intermediate or better experience working with MS software programs.

• Experience with electronic documents and case management.

• Experience collecting, organizing, and researching electronic and paper data and documents, and good problem-solving skills and information gathering techniques.

• Experience with prioritizing own work and meeting time sensitive deadlines, at times with little notice.

• Experience finding and applying laws, policies and procedures.

• Experience providing exceptional customer service and demonstrated interpersonal skills that include exercising tact, discretion, and judgment.

• Ability to maintain punctual and regular attendance, and to lift boxes up to 40lbs.

• Experience working in a remote or hybrid work environment.

What's In It For You

• Job satisfaction as part of a team whose mission is to serve Oregon's public and government agencies.

• A workplace where individual contribution matters and is recognized, where creativity and accomplishment are rewarded.

• An agency committed to equal opportunity and workforce diversity.

• Opportunity to expand your skills as a legal paraprofessional.

• Permanent, full-time employment in Salem or Portland, Oregon.

• Vacation, sick leave, 11 paid holidays a year, and special days off.

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision benefits.

• Pension and retirement programs.

• Endless peer and management support, and representation by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

• Opportunity to expand your professional skills.

For more information about our benefits, you can learn here.

Application Process

Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.  The Department of Justice is an equal opportunity employer, does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, veteran, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age or disability, and is committed to workplace diversity.

• Click "Apply" and complete the online application and all supplemental questions.

• Attach your resume.

• Attach a cover letter identifying your attributes that meet the desired and requested skills.

ALL APPLICANTS: You will only have one opportunity to upload the required resume and cover letter. Drag and drop your resume into Workday when prompted to upload your resume. If you are concerned that the requested document didn't attach to your application, if you need an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), have questions, or need assistance with the application process, please contact doj.recruitment@doj.oregon.gov. Any materials emailed will be associated on your behalf if received before the posting deadline.

CURRENT STATE EMPLOYEES: Login to Workday using your state-issued login and apply via the Jobs Hub Worklet located on your home page. Using a private account disrupts the hiring process for all internal candidates. Prior to clicking "Apply", update your employee profile to reflect your Education, Skills, and Job History (including your current job). ​​​

For additional information regarding working for the Department of Justice and application assistance, click HERE.

Oregon Department of Justice
1162 Court St NE
Salem OR, 97301

DOJ.recruitment@doj.oregon.gov

Phone: (503) 947-4328
Fax: (503) 373-0367