Legal Assistant

The Practice Assistant – Litigation provides comprehensive administrative and legal support to multiple senior attorneys within a litigation practice group. This role is responsible for managing complex attorney calendars and deadlines, preparing and filing legal documents, and coordinating client and court-related activities to ensure efficient case management. The Practice Assistant plays a vital role in supporting attorneys, maintaining client relationships, and ensuring the timely completion of litigation-related tasks in a fast-paced legal environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide high-level administrative support to three or more senior-level attorneys.
• Manage attorney calendars, appointments, court dates, depositions, hearings, and litigation deadlines.
• Coordinate travel arrangements and prepare expense reimbursement reports.
• Prepare, proofread, edit, and format legal correspondence, pleadings, motions, discovery documents, briefs, and other confidential legal documents.
• Prepare and electronically file legal documents in federal and state courts in accordance with applicable court rules and deadlines.
• Conduct conflict checks, prepare engagement letters, and open new client and matter files.
• Maintain organized paper and electronic client files using document management systems.
• Monitor litigation and appellate deadlines to ensure timely completion of required filings.
• Coordinate communications with clients, courts, opposing counsel, vendors, and internal departments.
• Collaborate with attorneys and legal support staff to manage multiple priorities and meet critical deadlines.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive client and firm information.
• Assist with special projects and other administrative duties as assigned.

Minimum Education & Experience Requirements

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience as a Legal Assistant, Practice Assistant, or Paralegal supporting a litigation practice.
• Experience supporting multiple attorneys in a law firm or professional legal environment.
• Experience preparing and electronically filing documents in both federal and state courts.
• Knowledge of litigation procedures, court rules, and filing requirements.

Preferred

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Legal Studies, or a related field.
• Appellate litigation experience.
• Experience supporting shareholder, partner, or senior-level attorneys.

Special Requirements

• Proficiency with electronic court filing systems for federal and state courts.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of client and firm information.
• Flexibility to work additional hours as needed to meet litigation deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid work environment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of litigation support procedures and legal document preparation.
• Thorough understanding of federal and state court filing requirements and deadlines.
• Knowledge of appellate and trial court scheduling procedures.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Professional interpersonal skills with attorneys, clients, court personnel, and vendors.
• Ability to prioritize work independently while functioning effectively within a collaborative team environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Experience using legal document management systems, case management software, and electronic billing systems.
• Strong proofreading, editing, and formatting skills.
• Ability to maintain professionalism under tight deadlines and changing priorities.

Additional Desired Characteristics

• Experience supporting complex commercial litigation matters.
• Familiarity with appellate court procedures.
• Strong project coordination and organizational abilities.
• Experience with electronic records management systems.
• Ability to quickly learn new legal technologies and firm-specific software.
• Demonstrated commitment to providing exceptional client service.
• Strong initiative and ability to anticipate attorney needs.