Litigation Legal Assistant
About the role
Duane Morris LLP, a global law firm with 800+ attorneys in offices across the U.S. and around the world, offers innovative solutions to the legal and business challenges presented by today’s evolving global markets.
The Legal Assistant will provide comprehensive administrative support to multiple Principals, as well as senior and junior members of the Legal Team. This role involves managing a variety of confidential and complex tasks, including calendar management, typing, editing and/or formatting legal documents and correspondence, filing documents with various courts, both electronically and via messenger, arranging for service of documents on opposing counsel, meeting coordination, project assistance, and relationship management. The ideal candidate must excel in multitasking, managing changing priorities, and handling highly sensitive information with discretion. Maintains positive contact with clients, attorneys and staff and observes confidentiality of client and other firm matters.
Responsibilities
- Track litigation deadlines and confirm deadlines are docketed correctly
- Coordinate attorney calendars, minimize conflicts, prevent double bookings, and proactively make decisions regarding appointment urgency and importance
- Prepare draft court documents, including but not limited to complaints, answers, discovery, briefs, motions, motions for summary judgment, correspondence and memos
- Revise and finalize documents and ensure timely service, filing and delivery
- Conduct heavy court filings including service of pleadings on opposing and associated counsel, at state, federal, and appellate level and in many different venues; knowledge of electronic filing procedures for the various venues, including state, federal, appellate and arbitration forums
- Answer telephones and relay messages; arrange conference calls, video conferences and in-person meetings
- Demonstrate working knowledge of internet resources to perform basic legal research and print off cases, as requested
- Organize and accurately maintain physical and electronic documents and files in a timely manner; create and maintain working files and binders as requested
- Utilize Firm provided software to accurately store email messages, and maintain and retrieve files
- Open new files, request conflict of interest checks with record center and maintain on-line and hard-copy files; conduct periodic reviews for possible storage of older files; prepare files to be closed
- Provide backup support to other attorneys and timekeepers as needed; volunteer for overflow work assignments when time permits and actively seek to maximize productivity and promote teamwork
- Possess knowledge of key clients and contacts
Qualifications
- Certification or associate’s degree in paralegal studies (bachelor’s degree is preferred)
- Minimum of 3–5 years’ experience as a Litigation Paralegal
Benefits
- Comprehensive Healthcare, Dental, Vision, and Prescription Plans
- Commuter, HSA and FSA Spending Accounts
- Short-term and Long-term Disability and Life Insurance Coverage
- 401k and Pension Plans
- Up to 27 PTO Days, 9 Paid Holidays and 2 Floating Holidays
- Employee Referral Bonus ($3,000.00)
- Professional Development Training
- Fertility Support Benefits
- Back-Up (Family) Care Advantage and Employee Assistance Program