Legal Staff Paralegal in Niles, IL

Law Firm

Niles, IL

Legal Staff Paralegal in Niles, IL

Legal Staff

No

Title: Legal Assistant

Job Responsibilities:
The Legal Assistant is primarily responsible for assisting the attorney with client and case management, as well as performing tasks necessary for case administration. The role involves a variety of duties, including but not limited to:

Case File and Client Portal Management
- Creating hard drive file trees for clients and cases
- Adding new contacts and matters to the case management database
- Updating contact information and case status
- Entering case development data and tracking case stages
- Maintaining the attorney court calendar

Case Administration
- Identifying contact roles and labeling them accordingly
- Receiving, sorting, saving, and sharing voluminous case-related documentation
- Drafting professional correspondence and preparing forms under attorney supervision
- Preparing case accountings
- Drafting court documents such as notices, receipts, reports, subpoenas, appearances, court orders, and simple petitions for attorney review
- Preparing exhibits
- Reviewing documents for proper format, typographical errors, and inclusion of necessary enclosures or exhibits
- Recording, filing, and retrieving documents from various agencies
- Assembling materials for meetings and court hearings
- Meeting with clients as necessary to accomplish tasks
- Preparing estate plan documents
- Serving as a witness and/or notary if applicable
- Finalizing estate plan package preparation
- Traveling offsite for case administration tasks, such as visits to the post office, courthouse, city hall, or recorder’s office
- Tracking and filing unclaimed property claims
- Tracking and managing bond invoices

Manage Communications
- Responding to client inquiries regarding their case
- Contacting and corresponding with third parties as necessary for case administration

Time-Tracking and Billing
- Responsible for self-time tracking
- Proof-reading time entries
- Understanding basic billing practices, creating invoices, and processing payments

Education and Experience Information:
Qualifications required for the position, in order of priority, include:

1. Highly detail-oriented with strong organizational skills
2. Intermediate (conversational) fluency in Serbian or Bosnian
3. Associate degree or equivalent
4. Very good English composition skills
5. Ability to independently solve problems and work under pressure
6. Proficiency with PC computers and technology
7. Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite

Preferences for candidates include:
1. Experience in a law office
2. Knowledge of Mycase and Google Workspace platform
3. Intermediate (conversational) fluency in Polish or Spanish

Performance Expectations:
Candidates are expected to possess the following knowledge and abilities:

- Intermediate fluency in Serbian
- Knowledge of correct English grammar, spelling, and punctuation
- Ability to strategize objectively based on data
- Tactful communication techniques for handling calls, making appointments, giving information, and explaining instructions and guidelines
- High standard of organization and understanding of workflow and office procedures
- Understanding of legal terminology and syntax
- Ability to maintain composure during stressful situations
- Use of diplomacy and discretion when giving out information
- Effective communication skills
- Ability to operate standard office, computer, scanner, printer, and related tech equipment
- Adherence to strict confidentiality of client and office matters
- Exercising judgment and making recommendations for improving office efficiency and economy

Salary Information:
Compensation for this position is based on experience.

Summary of Benefits Offered:
- 10 days of unpaid Personal Time Off (PTO) during the first year of employment, plus 4 paid holidays
- For full-time employees, paid Personal Time Off (PPTO) accrues during the first year of full-time employment and is eligible for use after the first year
- 401(k) available after 1 year, with matching after 3 years
- Medical, dental, and vision plans are available, subject to conditions of employment and eligibility for enrollment
- A complete explanation of benefits is governed by policy provisions