Legal Practice Assistant - Commercial Litigation

About the role

Ashurst Perkins Coie is seeking a Legal Practice Assistant (Legal Secretary) to join our Commercial Litigation Department. The ideal candidate must be detail-oriented, have excellent communication, computer, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Proactively maintain overview of timekeepers’ workload and caseload; anticipate next steps and implement follow-up procedures to ensure each task is appropriately tracked and completed.
• Provide varied and more complex support to timekeepers with moderate supervision.
• Create, edit, revise, redline, and/or proofread documents from dictation, handwritten, typed, and/or electronic copy.
• Maintain timekeepers’ calendars of meetings and business trips. Coordinate travel arrangements as necessary.
• File paper and electronic documents with appropriate courts and agencies and ensure proper procedures are followed and deadlines are met.
• Process and route incoming mail, faxes, and electronic communications upon receipt. Prepare outgoing mail (including boxes/packages for shipment) for prompt delivery, arranging for messenger services as needed to meet deadlines.
• Cooky/coordinator with docketing specialist, including review of docketing reports for accuracy of dates, to ensure court or agency documents/actions for legal proceedings meet firm docketing requirements.
• Coordinate preliminary conflicts checks with Professional Standards to ensure attorney and firm ability to represent requesting party.
• Prepare new client/matter intake forms and engagement letters.
• Assist with billing process, including daily time entries (entering, proofreading, spellchecking, and releasing), distribute monthly proformas, and potentially review and edit prebills, and prepare final with cover letter (if appropriate) in accordance with firm or department procedures.
• Prepare accounting documents as required, including check requests, expense and travel reimbursement requests, and trust documents.
• Cooky/coordinator with client/attorney/administrative conferences, meetings, and appointments for timekeepers and clients, including scheduling conference room, visitor offices, meals, preparation of materials, and arrangement with a third party if needed.
• Set up and maintain administrative and client files; file electronic and/or paper documents and information promptly and accurately. Maintain file organization and updated indices.
• Demonstrate flexibility to handle tasks and prioritize workflow.
• Keep supervisor informed of activities and of any significant problems and/or all personal schedule changes; provide timely and accurate timecards regarding hours worked and days missed. Coordinate absences within workgroups; proactively provide assistance to timekeepers in the absence of the regular Legal Practice Assistant, and, when time permits, to other Legal Practice Assistants.
• Be familiar with and adhere to all firm policies. Adhere to the principles of client and firm confidentiality, as outlined in the confidentiality agreement signed at the time of hire.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Previous law firm experience of five or more years or equivalent preferred.
• Ability to work in office 5 days per week.

Qualifications

• Preferred: Ability to accurately type 70 wpm, communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and establish effective working relationships throughout operational groups.
• Strong command of the English language including excellent spelling, grammar, punctuation, form and style.
• Strong knowledge of MS Word, Outlook, and Excel and familiarity with basic office equipment are necessary.
• Excellent organizational skills for prioritizing workload.
• Familiarity with legal terminology and procedures pertinent to the area of assignment.

Skills

• Preferred: Ability to accurately type 70 wpm, communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and establish effective working relationships throughout operational groups.
• Strong command of the English language including excellent spelling, grammar, punctuation, form and style.
• Strong knowledge of MS Word, Outlook, and Excel and familiarity with basic office equipment are necessary.
• Excellent organizational skills for prioritizing workload.
• Familiarity with legal terminology and procedures pertinent to the area of assignment.

Benefits

• Annual discretionary bonus
• 401(k) plan
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Accrued paid time off plan starting at 20 days annually
• Personal medical and parental leave
• Up to ten paid holidays
• Family care benefits