Legal Secretary

To be considered for this position please apply on our website: https://www.co.langlade.wi.us/government/employment/

LANGLADE COUNTY JOB DESCRIPTION

LEGAL SECRETARY

Department:                      Office of the Corporation Counsel

Reports to:                          Corporation Counsel

Grade/Wage:                    Grade 16, $22.00 to $28.00

FLSA Status/Hours:          Non-Exempt, 35 Hours per week

Revised:                               10/2025

Summary:

This position provides skilled legal secretarial services and assistance to the Office of Corporation Counsel. This position performs work of a complex nature requiring the exercise of independent judgment. This position is responsible to protect and maintain confidential and privileged information, including but not limited to: negotiations, bargaining, personnel matters, legal advice and strategy, and protected health information.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily and in a timely manner. The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all inclusive. Other duties may be required or assigned.

• Performs a variety of clerical and legal secretarial and administrative support work, such as processing information into various legal document formats, involving the application and understanding of legal terminology and processes, including but not limited to, legal pleadings, briefs, petitions, complaints, opinions, leases, contracts, warrants, subpoenas, county board resolutions, ordinances, offers to purchase real estate, deeds and agreements.
• Assembles and maintains confidential communications issued from or received by the Office of Corporation Counsel, including but not limited to: contract negotiations, bargaining, litigation and litigation strategy, personnel issues, legal opinions, settlement options, protected health information, medical reports and legal advice. 
• Provides assistance to the public in the process of filing petitions for involuntary mental health or alcohol commitment proceedings pursuant to Chapter 51, Wisconsin Statutes (as requested by Corporation Counsel); provides assistance to persons in handling guardianship and protective placement cases pursuant to Chapter 55, Wisconsin Statutes (as requested by Adult Protective Services and Corporation Counsel).
• Under the direction of the Corporation Counsel, drafts and prepares a variety of complex documents associated with the legal, administrative and management functions of County government.
• As directed by Corporation Counsel, drafts, assembles and files legal documents with the Court, including but not limited to, civil complaints and answers, zoning forfeiture complaints, ordinance citations, answers in third party subrogation lawsuits, small claim actions, temporary restraining orders and other legal pleadings, memos, Chapter 51 mental health or alcohol involuntary commitment petitions, recommitments and related documents and Chapter 55 guardianship documents. 
• Schedules court hearings; contacts all necessary individuals for court appearances; schedules doctor examinations with regard to involuntary commitment proceedings; arranges for witness testimony; arranges necessary transportation with law enforcement to bring subjects to and from court hearings; communicates with North Central Health Care Center staff during all phases of an involuntary commitment case, which involves contact with numerous staff members on a frequent basis; and generally assists the Corporation Counsel in preparation for court proceedings.
• Provides clerical assistance in composing correspondence to answer inquiries and obtain information; public record requests; receptionist duties; telephone communication; assists the general public, legal and medical professionals, North Central Health Care Center staff, department heads, county employees and County Board supervisors, in person and by telephone, all of which requires an in-depth understanding of the programs and services provided by the Office of Corporation Counsel; arranges necessary appointments; makes photocopies, sends and receives faxes; collates and distributes various communications to concerned parties; opens and distributes mail; and schedules and updates Corporation Counsel’s work calendar.
• Creates and maintains files for the office using the most efficient and effective method of classifying records, including the system for record retention and destruction. 
• Assists the Corporation Counsel in annual budget preparation; keeps office budget updated; maintains office inventory; processes invoices for payment; identifies need to order office equipment and supplies; updates Office of Corporation Counsel’s legal research materials and maintains the office in organized manner.
• Maintains strict confidentiality regarding Corporation Counsel’s Office records and operations. 
• Performs all other duties as deemed necessary in a professional manner to assist the Corporation Counsel in carrying out the operations of the office. 
• Assist in the application and administration of grants, as needed. 
• On an availability basis, assist other County offices when requested, including but not limited to: Human Resources, Administration, and the Circuit Court system.   

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience;

• Associate Degree (preferred) in secretarial science or secretarial studies or a related field and three years of experience as a legal secretary or work experience which provides the necessary skills, knowledge and abilities to perform the duties of the position of legal secretary.
• OR a high school diploma or its equivalent and five years’ experience as a legal secretary.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Proficient in spelling, grammar, and sentence structure. Ability to proof-read documents and identify and correct spelling, grammar and typographical errors. 
• Ability to understand legal terminology and follow complex instructions. 
• Ability to organize and prioritize work; work independently, meet deadlines, work efficiently and work cooperatively and professionally with difficult people.
• Ability to work independently and perform clerical and administrative work assignments in such a manner as to limit the time needed for the Corporation Counsel to perform similar tasks.
• Ability to coordinate work assignments for the office, including directing work requests to the attention of the Corporation Counsel or referring matters to stand-by Corporation Counsel (when the Corporation Counsel is not available). 
• Knowledge and ability to use and apply legal terminology, legal document formats and legal reference materials in preparing documents as directed by the Corporation Counsel; ability to read and understand real estate legal descriptions.
• Knowledge of Wisconsin Statutes pertaining to the types of civil cases that are routinely handled by the Corporation Counsel’s Office including but not limited to: Chapter 51 involuntary commitments.
• Knowledge of standard office practices and procedures (phone system, filing systems, mailing systems, copy/scan/printing systems, computer/word processing systems).
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with customers and stakeholders, including: attorneys, judges, psychiatrists, psychologists, medical doctors, health care staff, North Central Health Care Center staff, department heads, county employees, County Board supervisors, other elected officials and the general public.
• Ability to type 60 words per minute; and to operate standard office machines and equipment including, but not limited to, personal computer, printer, typewriter, photocopier and telephone.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and ability to identify and follow the process of reporting any breaches in confidentiality.

Technological Skills:

Working knowledge of Windows and Microsoft Office Suite.   

Physical Demands:  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or listen.
• The employee frequently is required to stand, walk and sit. 
• The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. 
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Normal office working environment with little or no discomfort from temperature, dust, noise, wetness or the like. 
• The noise level in the work environment will range from quiet to moderately. 

Langlade County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the American Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.