Legal Support Specialist

About the role

A Legal Support Specialist assists lawyers and other legal personnel with regard to various administrative details; coordinates and maintains effective office procedures and efficient workflow; follows policies and procedures set by the Firm; establishes and maintains harmonious working relationships with all personnel, clients, vendors and guests of the Firm.

Responsibilities

• Types, formats, edits and finalizes documents, including correspondence, memoranda and standard legal documents for transactional clients, including handling tasks related to transactional legal matters like contracts, mergers and acquisitions, manage calendars, prepare legal documents, and coordinate communication between lawyers and clients during deal processes, in accordance with the Firm's document formatting standards using standard computer software specific to the legal industry.
• Ability to format and review of legal documents such as pleadings, briefs, motions, discovery requests, and correspondence, ensuring accuracy and compliance with court rules, in preparation for electronic submission with relevant state and federal courts.
• Support attorneys in pre-, during, and post-trial stages.
• Initiate correspondence and other written materials under own signature or for signature of timekeepers; proofread all work to ensure proper formatting; spelling and grammar.
• Aid other Legal Support Professionals within assigned teams whenever necessary to meet Firm and client needs; organize and prioritize workload for maximum efficiency and facilitation of Firm and client goals.
• Foster professional, cooperative and supportive relationships with peers, superiors, and clients.
• Manages multiple lawyer-assignments and organizes clerical functions and workflow to meet administrative and client needs.
• Manage complex calendars using considerable discretion and judgment as to priorities and effective use of timekeepers’ time; deflecting lower-level issues.
• Works with other Firm departments and resources to coordinate and complete tasks as necessary for the management of multiple responsibilities and assignments.
• Coordinates client billing with billing services (as directed from assignments).
• Maintain information on billing arrangements for key clients.
• Maintains a safe and unobstructed work area, including a neat and well-organized desk.
• Maintains accuracy of electronic and hardcopy client files daily through both the Firm’s document management system and various electronic repositories for client materials in accordance with standards set by Records Management Center.
• Performs other work-related duties as assigned or as judgment or necessity dictate.

Requirements

• Required Education and/or Experience: High school graduate or equivalency Five or more years of related work experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience Previous experience in a similar role in a law firm or professional services environment supporting multiple fee earners Excellent customer service and client relationship skills Thorough working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel), legal terminology and standard document formatting Thoroughly understanding of civil litigation discovery and docketing processes Experience with State and Federal court filings, including ECF Experience with collaborating with support staff and willingness to develop others through mentoring and sharing experiences
• Preferred Bachelor's degree Global law firm experience
• Other Skills And Abilities Strong organizational skills Strong attention to detail and good judgment Superior written and verbal communication skills Strong analytical and problem-solving skills Able to work harmoniously and effectively with others Able to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion Able to work under pressure Able to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities

Qualifications

• The following will also be required of the successful candidate: Strong organizational skills Strong attention to detail and good judgment Superior written and verbal communication skills Strong analytical and problem-solving skills Able to work harmoniously and effectively with others Able to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion Able to work under pressure Able to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities

Skills

• Types accurately at a minimum of 60 wpm

Benefits

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the Duties and Responsibilities above satisfactorily and meet the requirements. The requirements listed above are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. If you need such an accommodation, please email sidleytalentacquisition@sidley.com (current employees should contact Human Resources). Sidley Austin LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.