JOB TITLE: Project Assistant
DEPARTMENT: Paralegal
REPORTS TO: Paralegal Manager
FLSA CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt
JOB SUMMARY
The Project Assistant position operates under the direct supervision of a lawyer and provides substantive legal services. A lawyer may delegate any task typically performed by a lawyer to a Project Assistant, except for those tasks prohibited to a non-lawyer by statute, court rule, administrative rule or regulation, controlling authority, the applicable rule of professional conduct of the jurisdiction in which the lawyer practices, or the ABA Guidelines for the Utilization of Paralegal Services.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
- Draft, analyze, and prepare legal documents for a supervising lawyer or supervising paralegal.
- Coordinate legal projects and communicate legal information for a supervising lawyer or supervising paralegal.
- Prepare draft communications for a supervising lawyer or supervising paralegal.
- Collect, evaluate, and summarize relevant facts and legal concepts for a supervising lawyer or supervising paralegal.
- Attend client meetings, coordination meetings, and legal proceedings with a supervising lawyer or supervising paralegal.
- Provide legal project management for a legal matter for a supervising lawyer or supervising paralegal.
- Maintain notary license in the local jurisdiction.
- Follow all instructions from supervising lawyer or supervising paralegal.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Maintain accurate and appropriate time records regarding hours spent working for clients, the law firm, and on administrative tasks.
- Meet all time entry and timesheet deadlines specified by the law firm, the Paralegal Department, and the Accounting Department.
- Bill a minimum of 1,536 creditable hours each performance evaluation year that begins April 1 and ends March 31, of which a minimum of 750 of those hours are client billable hours.
- Limit approved pro bono hours and approved firm representation (non-secretarial) hours to a maximum of 120 total hours during each performance evaluation year.
- Work a predictable schedule while providing flexibility in the daily schedule to meet the law firm’s needs during periods of heavy workload.
- Timely notify both supervising lawyers, supervising paralegals, and the Paralegal Manager of any time out of the office during normal work hours.
- Report the receipt of non-billable work to the Paralegal Manager upon receipt.
- Avoid overtime for non-billable assignments.
- Contact supervising lawyers, supervising paralegals, and the Paralegal Manager when available for new assignments.
- Accept accountability and responsibility for all work assignments.
- Adhere to The National Federation of Paralegal Associations’ “Model Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility.”
- Attend relevant legal education to continuously improve legal skills.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE INFORMATION
Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree required.
- ABA Paralegal Certificate (in addition) preferred.
- Cumulative GPA of or higher.
Experience:
- Entry-level position.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Understanding of legal processes and practice-group specific procedures.
- Excellent interpersonal, team, and customer service skills.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to function well in a high-paced, and at times, stressful environment.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality, and to exercise discretion and good judgment.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and practice-group specific software.
SALARY INFORMATION
The annualized good faith base salary range for this position is a minimum of $60,000 to a maximum of $72,000 per year. The actual salary rate offered to candidates within that range will depend on various factors, including without limitation, years of relevant experience, education, applicable certifications, and other relevant professional licenses held, and the candidate's overall qualifications for the position as assessed by the law firm.
WORKING CONDITIONS
The following table indicates the degree of working conditions expected for the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to meet these requirements.
Requirement / Frequency:
- Travel: Occasionally
- Sitting: Constantly
- Standing: Occasionally
- Walking: Occasionally
- Reading: Constantly
- Typing: Constantly
- Concentration: Constantly
- Oral and Written Communication: Constantly
- Horizontal Reaching: Occasionally
- Vertical Reaching: Occasionally
- Twisting: Occasionally
- Repetitive Arm/Hand/Finger Movements: Constantly
- Weight: Occasionally, pushing or pulling up to 50 lbs.
Note: A job description is a general description of the function and major duties of a job. It may not specify all duties, tasks, and assignments associated with a job. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of management to direct, assign, and control the work of employees in a unit. Accuracy, attention to detail, ability to work effectively in a team environment, and ability to work in an atmosphere of multiple projects and shifting priorities are requirements of all jobs at the law firm. Additional job-related qualifications may be specified for some openings. Job descriptions are subject to periodic review.
