Legal Assistant

What are we looking for in our Legal Assistant?

Our client, a mid-size regional defense firm is looking for a Litigation Legal Assistant to join their Raleigh team. The Legal Assistant assists attorneys and legal staff in their day-to-day work, enhances attorney effectiveness by providing administrative and legal knowledge and support, and represents the attorney and firm to clients, legal professionals and other matter related individuals. A Legal Assistant further supports the attorney by drafting legal documents, maintaining files, performing research and preparing for upcoming events, including hearings, depositions, mediations and trials.

Primary Job Responsibilities:

• Set up new files, including preparation of conflict worksheet (including review of new file contents for names and relationships of parties and communication with attorney(s)); organize file contents; prepare Contact Sheet; docket all answer/response/client guideline dates; maintain Client Portal; review Client Guidelines and Reporting Forms;
• Setup any templates for reports, answers and/or discovery in document management software;
• Maintain attorney client list, deadlines and calendar;
• General file maintenance and management, with focus on creating systems to help identify location of documents and what documents have been received and/or produced;
• File general correspondence, e-mails and/or other legal documents in document management software;
• Prepare and edit general correspondence, pleadings and/or discovery from attorney dictation, with same day turnaround time desirable; otherwise, next day turnaround time;
• Draft form or enclosure letters to court personnel, opposing counsel, employer, etc.;
• Related copying, scanning, faxing, etc.;
• Prepare documents for filing; sending filed copies to proper parties;
• Field and handle phone calls that may come in for attorney in attorney’s absence;
• Review and process incoming and outgoing mail; scan and save to document management software;
• Possible scheduling of meetings, hearings, depositions, mediations, etc., and calendar same;
• Prepare and update indices of pleadings, discovery, and other file materials (including medical records if not preparing chronology);
• Draft, process and/or maintain Records requests;
• Request checks for any filing fees or other court expenses;
• Process vendor invoices;
• Request court reporters and reserve conference rooms for depositions, mediations, etc. as needed;
• Prepare closed files, including offsite storage and/or shredding; coordinate with the Finance Department to close in our system and final bill; close matters in docketing system;
• Prepare expense reimbursements;
• Possible assistance with Marketing;
• Back up other Legal Administrative Assistant(s) as requested or assigned; and,
• Record billable hours according to billable work assigned by attorney(s).

Minimum Qualification(s):

• Bachelor's degree or higher from a 4-year college or university, or
• Paralegal certificate from an accredited paralegal program, or
• At least 10 years’ experience working as a legal assistant or paralegal

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Microsoft Word
• Minimum typing speed of 50 wpm
• Knowledge of document management, billing, docketing, and e-discovery legal software is helpful
• Excellent client service and interpersonal skills with the ability to interact well with and respond to the needs of all levels of individuals
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in oral and written form
• Highly organized with attention to details, including the ability to own and prioritize all aspects of the position and meet deadlines in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Effectively manage and maintain confidential information
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently, or as part of a team, using initiative in all aspects of assignments
• Ability to read and absorb complex information quickly and accurately
• Ability to provide paralegal and/or administrative support for two or more attorneys
• Prior law firm experience is a plus

Compensation
The salary wage range that we expect to pay for this position is a minimum of $48,000 and a maximum of $52,000 annually.  The actual pay wage may vary based on experience or other relevant factors.