Legal Practice Assistant

Legal Practice Assistant

The Legal Practice Assistant (LPA) provides administrative support for attorneys and other timekeepers in the Intellectual Property practice group. The LPA performs a wide variety of administrative tasks; anticipates, plans, and proactively meets the business needs of the attorneys; and executes assignments while demonstrating a general knowledge of the assigned timekeepers' practice areas and clients to ensure extraordinary client satisfaction.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Perform specialized administrative work for the practice group while demonstrating a strong technical proficiency and an understanding of firm procedures.
• Provide administrative support to Intellectual Property attorneys in a fast-paced, high-volume practice.
• Prepare routine correspondence, read, and route mail, conduct general research and responsible for file maintenance.
• Code and enter timekeeper's time and costs in the firm's time and billing system.
• Coordinate large volume client billing, using sophisticated software and procedures, that may require client specific instructions and multiple revisions.
• Support new client and business development efforts by opening and closing new matters and submitting requests for conflicts of interest checks.
• Process expense reimbursement requests and process invoices in a timely manner.
• Serve as a knowledge resource in specific practice group requirements and firm policies and procedures. Collaboratively share this knowledge and work with others to improve processes and procedures.
• Handle tasks related to client billing, such as distribution and review of client invoices, maintain current knowledge of billing requirements from clients.
• Liaise with administrative departments to coordinate all aspects of workflow support for attorneys.
• Prepare routine correspondence, read and route mail, conduct general research and maintain files.
• Handle complex edits in legal documents.
• Ensure effective calendar management, with the ability to prioritize meetings and resolve calendar conflicts; proactively organize and manager schedule changes for events and meetings.
• Arrange domestic and international travel and create and submit related expense reports.
• Collaborate with resources inside and outside the firm as appropriate to complete projects or tasks.
• Manage information electronically using the firm's database file management system and a records management system.
• Provide overflow assistance to administrative legal support team.
• Assist in fostering an environment of superior customer service, collaboration, commitment, team spirit, pride, and trust.
• Identify and respond to internal and external client inquiries in a timely manner and seek feedback/follow-up as appropriate.
• Maintain attorney bar membership records and CLE records.
• Prepare and file legal documents in Federal and State courts, including electronic filings.
• Prepare legal documents, correspondence, and binders.
• Provide administrative support for all aspects of litigation, including discovery and trial preparation.
• Manage detailed tasks such as reviewing information, submissions, and reports, and coordinating the distribution of these and other materials.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrate a "can do" attitude and a willingness to continue learning and developing skills of an independent thinker.
• Strong proficiency in advanced litigation support, including significant knowledge of Federal and State litigation practices and knowledge of local rules of courts.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively interact with all levels of firm personnel, clients, and vendors.
• Ability to provide quality client service to both internal and external clients effectively and professionally.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a deadline-driven environment.
• Ability to take initiative, set priorities, and see projects through to completion.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and with a team to promote consistent and efficient workflow processes.
• Excellent grammar, punctuation, and proof-reading skills.
• Willingness and ability to accept changing assignments and priorities.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of attorney and client information.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and with teams to promote consistent and efficient workflow processes.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite products.
• Strong IP and litigation knowledge, including significant knowledge of Federal and State litigation practices and knowledge of local rules of courts.

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor's degree or any combination of experience, education or training that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.
• Minimum five (5) years of related experience, including billing and e-Billing, preferably within a law firm or similar professional services environment.
• Comprehensive Intellectual Property support experience.
• Experience with high-volume complex billing highly beneficial.

Compensation is dependent on several factors, such as position, location, market, education, training, and/or experience.

Hiring Salary Range: $70,000.00 - $90,000.00