Office of Marshell Jackson Hatcher, Circuit Judge
Birmingham, Alabama
DESCRIPTION:
This is full-time, specialized responsible legal secretarial and court clerical work in a civil-circuit judge’s office. The duties of this class are primarily involved in providing secretarial and office management services and in screening the public and attorneys, etc., who have business with the judge. Due to the specialized nature of the language and procedures of the court system, employees in this class should possess general knowledge of legal terminology, forms, and formats, as well as a general knowledge of court rules and statutory provisions relating to the courts. Public contact and handling of confidential information are inherent features of this class and require a high degree of discretion in screening the public, parties to cases, and attorneys who request to see the judge. Failure to perform adequately these and other functions could result in a judge having to recuse herself from a case and the loss of valuable time and money. In this class employees receive initial instructions regarding office policy and procedures and after a period of on-the-job training, work is reviewed, only after completion, for format, content, and desired results.
EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:
(May not include all of the duties listed, nor do the examples cover all the duties which may be performed).
1. Performs clerical and secretarial duties in accordance with standard practices, court system guidelines, and judge’s requirements.
2. Types on manual typewriter or personal computer general correspondence, dockets, orders, letters, reports, judgments, notices, and other legal documents from handwritten notes, dictation, or electronic recordings. Independently prepares simple orders, documents, and correspondence from handwritten drafts or dictation.
3. Establishes and maintains office filing system. Prepares purchase orders and orders office supplies. Inventories office equipment.
4. Screens public, parties to cases, attorneys, etc., both in person and over the phone, determining if their business is pertinent to the judge, or if it is of a priority for the judge to be disturbed, etc.; routes visitors and telephone calls to the appropriate agencies and officials; answers routine questions regarding office and court procedures.
5. Handles complaints and questions regarding court policies, procedures, and operations using personal judgment, discretion and maintaining confidentiality. Endeavors to maintain positive public relations for the judge and office.
6. Maintains office law library and may maintain local law library involving ordering and purchasing books, shelving books, replacing pocket parts and outdated books, and maintaining records.
7. Coordinates communication and schedules between judges, the Administrative Office of Courts, and attorneys.
8. Prepares and distributes dockets.
9. Manages judge’s court and personal calendars. May prepare annual court calendar.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Working knowledge of court system, rules of court jurisdiction and legal terminology.
Some knowledge of court procedures (criminal, civil, juvenile, domestic/family, etc.) in jurisdiction of assignment.
Considerable knowledge of English grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
Considerable knowledge of office management and procedures, including equipment operation and basic maintenance.
Knowledge of the community and the legal profession.
Knowledge of who, what, when, and where to direct correspondence.
Knowledge of judicial assistant job duties and responsibilities.
Skill in preparing court forms, documents, orders, correspondence, and legal memoranda. Skill in typing and using other office equipment.
Skill in machine transcription and/or taking shorthand if required by the judge.
Ability to answer questions, deal with problems, refer people to other offices and agencies.
Ability to speak clearly, listen effectively, and express opinions (verbally and in writing). Ability to use the telephone effectively.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and use discretion and judgment.
Ability to operate office equipment, including typewriter, calculator, copy machine, and recording or dictation equipment if required by the judge.
Ability to prepare, copy and distribute court calendars and dockets.
Ability to prepare legal forms, correspondence, orders, and documents.
Ability to relate well with the public, attorneys, other offices, and agencies, and to deal with special situations and needs.
Ability to define problems and take appropriate action.
Ability to perform basic mathematical computations.
Ability to work under pressure and deal effectively with stress.
Ability to work independently, exercise initiative and produce work meeting established standards of quality and quantity.
Ability to maintain personnel records, including leave accounting.
Ability to follow directions and established guidelines, and to follow through regarding tasks, assignments, projects, cases, and activities.
Ability to transcribe dictation.
Ability to exercise patience and tact, and to project a professional manner and image.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of training and experience equivalent to: law school education or paralegal/legal assistant training/certification. Some experience in stenographic/clerical work, computer technology and office management, preferably in the legal field. Must have the ability to maintain confidentiality; ability to communicate with people of various socioeconomic backgrounds and ability to adapt to changing schedules and circumstances.
CONTACT:
Send Cover Letter, Resume and Writing Sample to: antoinette.plump@alacourt.gov
Deadline: May 4, 2026