Join Zirtual as a Family & Criminal Law Legal Assistant in a rewarding remote volunteer role based in Indiana. This position plays a vital role in supporting legal professionals handling sensitive family disputes, custody battles, divorces, and criminal defense cases. Your contributions will directly impact clients' lives by ensuring efficient case preparation and smooth operations, allowing attorneys to focus on advocacy and justice. As part of a dynamic non-profit-oriented team, you'll help advance access to legal aid in underserved communities, making a meaningful difference while gaining invaluable experience in a high-stakes legal environment. In your day-to-day responsibilities, you'll manage client communications by scheduling appointments, responding to inquiries, and maintaining confidential records for family law matters like child support and domestic violence cases, as well as criminal proceedings such as arraignments and trials. Weekly tasks include conducting legal research using online databases to gather precedents on statutes, case law, and procedural rules specific to Indiana jurisdictions. You'll prepare and organize legal documents including petitions, motions, affidavits, and discovery requests, ensuring accuracy and compliance with court filing standards. Draft correspondence to courts, opposing counsel, and agencies, while tracking case deadlines and court dates via calendar systems. Collaborate closely with attorneys, paralegals, and social workers to compile evidence, witness statements, and exhibits for hearings. Monthly, you'll assist in case reviews, updating files with new developments and generating progress reports on metrics like case resolution times and client satisfaction. You'll also handle basic administrative duties such as billing coordination for pro bono services and inventory management for office supplies, contributing to team efficiency in a fast-paced remote setting. To succeed in this role, candidates should have a bachelor's degree in legal studies, paralegal studies, criminal justice, or a related field, supplemented by completion of a certified paralegal program. At least 2-3 years of hands-on experience as a legal assistant or paralegal, with proven exposure to family law and criminal law practices, is essential. Proficiency in legal software like Clio, MyCase, or Westlaw for research and case management is required, alongside strong Microsoft Office skills including Word for document formatting and Excel for tracking. Familiarity with Indiana state laws, court procedures, and e-filing systems is crucial. A paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved institution and knowledge of ethical standards under state bar rules are highly preferred. Excellent attention to detail ensures error-free work in high-pressure scenarios. Key skills include advanced technical abilities in document automation tools and virtual collaboration platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams for remote teamwork. Strong organizational competencies enable juggling multiple cases without missing deadlines. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills are vital for client interactions and professional correspondence. You must demonstrate empathy and discretion when dealing with sensitive personal matters in family and criminal contexts. Problem-solving prowess helps navigate complex legal scenarios, while adaptability supports varying caseloads in a volunteer capacity. Zirtual is a forward-thinking company providing virtual assistant services with a commitment to flexible, remote work that empowers professionals nationwide. Our mission centers on bridging gaps in legal access through innovative support solutions, guided by values of integrity, compassion, and excellence. The team features a collaborative structure of legal experts and assistants working asynchronously across time zones, fostering a supportive culture that celebrates work-life balance and professional growth. What sets us apart is our blend of non-profit spirit with cutting-edge virtual tools, creating a unique environment for impactful volunteerism. Compensation for this volunteer position is not specified, reflecting its non-profit nature, with opportunities for performance recognition through certificates and references. While no salary is offered, participants gain extensive networking in the legal field. Benefits include flexible remote work arrangements, unlimited access to professional development webinars on legal updates, and health resources via partnerships. Additional perks encompass generous personal time off policies, remote work stipends for home office setups, and community events for volunteers. Gain exposure that boosts your resume without financial commitment. Embrace growth opportunities at Zirtual through mentorship programs pairing you with seasoned attorneys for skill enhancement. Advance to paid paralegal roles or supervisory positions based on demonstrated impact. Access ongoing training in emerging legal tech and specialized workshops. To apply, submit your resume and cover letter highlighting relevant experience via our careers portal, and prepare for a virtual interview to discuss your passion for family and criminal law.