Legal Staff Legal Secretary in Washington, DC

Law Firm

Washington, DC

Legal Staff Legal Secretary in Washington, DC

Legal Staff

Min 3 yrs required

No

Job Title: Practice Assistant - Finance & Real Estate

Job Responsibilities:

The Practice Assistant (PA) provides crucial support to an assigned group that typically includes partners, counsel, senior associates, professional specialists, and others on a case-by-case basis. The role involves cross-training to support other similar groups and is part of an onsite support team that contributes to the overall business needs of the law firm. A hybrid work schedule is available for this position. The PA is expected to:

- Provide high-level practice- and client-facing administrative support for assigned timekeepers and others as requested. The Assistant must be both proactive and highly responsive, managing workload and requests for information effectively and efficiently.
- Prepare documents quickly and accurately, proofread their own and others' work, offer suggestions for improving work and processes, and answer phones promptly with a friendly, professional tone. Gather information sufficient to prepare helpful, timely, and accurate messages. Perform administrative tasks in firm applications such as InterAction, Workshare, and Chrome River.
- Proactively manage calendars, ensuring all details are anticipated, arranged, and well-coordinated. This includes all meeting logistics like AV requirements, catering, and other special needs. Inform callers when an attorney will be available to return a call, maintain overall knowledge of the status of ongoing cases, anticipate next steps and prepare for them in advance, and prepare for court filings, including arranging for court fee checks.
- Open new matters and prepare engagement letters, maintain an up-to-date contact list for assigned attorneys, and assist in tracking CLE requirements and attorney renewals for various legal organizations and courts.
- Create positive outcomes by executing tasks well, following through, and being accountable. Seek challenges and embrace change, support practice development initiatives such as on-site events, monitor attorney social media accounts, and handle other tasks related to managing attorneys’ client relationships.
- Maintain up-to-date desk procedures, including unique preferences or requirements of individual attorneys and clients.
- Prepare or coordinate services for copy and print jobs, review for accuracy, send faxes, coordinate mail/shipping needs, exercise judgment as to methods, maintain current, well-organized files, and periodically review and prepare files for offsite storage.
- Display a cooperative spirit and foster a positive work environment. Work collaboratively as part of the support team, proactively back up other team members, ensure accuracy and completeness of all work produced by the team, assist co-workers with overflow, and assist time entry and billing staff with the production of timesheets and bills.
- Coordinate with the firm’s travel services group to arrange travel plans for assigned timekeepers, process expenses and invoices promptly and with correct coding.
- Work independently with confidence, know when to reach for supervision, convey a poised, positive, professional image to clients, attorneys, staff, and visitors, and take pride in representing the firm.
- Identify own training needs and actively pursue professional development. Seek up-to-date knowledge of jurisdictional rules relevant to assigned attorneys and proactively share knowledge with and provide guidance to other support team members.
- Embrace new technical solutions and incorporate them into new and existing processes, attend firm-sponsored training to maintain the required skill level of software applications.
- Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience Information:

- A minimum of 3+ years of relevant experience within a law firm setting is required.
- A Bachelor’s Degree is required, although experience in lieu of a degree will be considered.
- Notary Public certification is preferred.
- The candidate must possess excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Attention to detail with the ability to handle difficult situations and meet varying deadlines.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work with personnel at all levels.
- Strong research, proofreading, and editing skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (., Excel and PowerPoint).
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks concurrently.
- Willingness to learn new skills involving Litigation law.

Salary Information:

In accordance with applicable Federal and State laws, the anticipated annual salary range for this position, depending on location, is as follows:

- Washington, DC: $70,000 to $100,100

In addition to a standard benefits package, this role may be eligible for additional contingent compensation based on an array of factors, including but not limited to work performance, geographic location, work experience, education, and qualifications. Because such contingent compensation is not yet calculable or may be zero in some circumstances, the above-listed salary range is the law firm's good faith estimate of the annual salary it reasonably expects to pay for the position at the time of this posting.