Practice Innovation Assistant

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP seeks an Executive Assistant (Practice Innovation Assistant) to provide executive support to attorneys and leaders while driving innovative legal delivery. The role focuses on operational efficiency, technology adoption, and cross‑functional collaboration.

The position emphasizes hands-on experience with AI tools, Microsoft 365, and workflow automation, with a preference for candidates in our West Coast offices including Los Angeles.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 3–7 years of professional experience in professional services, consulting, technology, legal, or corporate environments.
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Advanced Microsoft 365 proficiency and ability to quickly learn new technologies.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted operational partner to assigned attorneys, managing priorities, workflows, calendars, travel, and day-to-day execution.
• Coordinate meetings and events, including logistics, materials, agendas, and follow-up actions.
• Draft, proofread, and edit correspondence, presentations, and reports, including executive-level summaries.
• Conduct research and prepare materials supporting legal, client, and internal initiatives.
• Liaise with Billing, IT, HR, Conflicts, and other departments to coordinate workstreams and resolve issues.
• Exercise strong judgment, professionalism, and discretion in fast-paced environments.

Skills

Organizational skills

Project management

Communication

Discretion

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft 365

Copilot

Power Automate

Power BI

Job description

Orrick currently has an excellent opportunity for an Executive Assistant (Practice Innovation Assistant), with a preference for candidates based in our Washington, DC office or one of our West Coast U.S. offices (Los Angeles, Orange County, Portland, Sacramento, San Francisco, Santa Monica, Silicon Valley, or Seattle).

Join Orrick’s award‑winning Team Support team and help reshape how legal services are delivered. Orrick has been recognized by the Financial Times as one of the world’s most innovative law firms for 20 consecutive years and is consistently ranked among the top firms for legal technology and innovation.

This role sits within Team Support, recently recognized by the Financial Times for Innovation in People Strategy for its modernized approach to legal support, talent development, and operational excellence.

As an Executive Assistant (Practice Innovation Assistant), you will work directly with attorneys and operations leaders to provide high‑impact administrative, operational, and legal practice support while helping modernize legal service delivery at scale. You’ll gain hands‑on experience with emerging technologies, structured training in AI and legal operations, and exposure to both the business and practice sides of a top‑tier global law firm.

Position

The Executive Assistant (Practice Innovation Assistant) is a key member of Team Support, providing direct administrative and operational support to attorneys while driving innovation across the firm. This role is ideal for professionals passionate about technology, legal operations, and supporting high‑performing teams.

Responsibilities:

General Support

• Act as a trusted operational partner to assigned attorneys, managing priorities, workflows, calendars, travel, and day‑to‑day execution.
• Coordinate meetings and events, including logistics, materials, agendas, and follow‑up actions.
• Draft, proofread, and edit correspondence, presentations, and reports, including executive‑level summaries.
• Conduct research and prepare materials supporting legal, client, and internal initiatives.
• Liaise with Billing, IT, HR, Conflicts, and other departments to coordinate workstreams and resolve issues.
• Exercise strong judgment, professionalism, and discretion in fast‑paced environments.

Digital Fluency & Technology

• Serve as a technology resource for attorneys and peers, supporting tools such as Microsoft 365, Copilot, Power Automate, Power BI, and emerging AI platforms.
• Troubleshoot workflow and technology issues in collaboration with IT and support teams.
• Stay current on new technologies and identify opportunities for process improvement and automation.

Legal Practice Support

• Support engagement setup, document preparation, matter coordination, presentations, and client‑facing materials.
• Assist with legal and operational workflows, including intake, triage, matter management, and coordination with document processing and billing teams.
• Gain exposure to legal workflows, matter lifecycles, and client service expectations across practice areas.

Billing & Financial Coordination

• Manage billing processes for assigned attorneys, ensuring accuracy and timely completion.
• Prepare reports, track spend, and assist with billing follow‑up.
• Participate in firm initiatives, process improvement efforts, and technology adoption projects.
• Coordinate ongoing workstreams and ensure deadlines and deliverables are met.
• Promote a collaborative team culture and contribute to professional development initiatives.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 3–7 years of professional experience in professional services, consulting, technology, legal, or corporate environments.
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Advanced Microsoft 365 proficiency and ability to quickly learn new technologies.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Sound judgment, professionalism, discretion, and composure under pressure.
• Ability to work in‑office at least three days per week and overtime as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience mentoring others.
• Experience supporting senior executives or leadership teams.
• Operations, executive support, or business operations experience.
• Familiarity with GenAI tools (ChatGPT, Copilot), Power BI, or automation/data analytics platforms.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and follow‑through skills.
• Proactive, adaptable, and solutions‑oriented.

Who is Orrick?

Orrick is a global law firm focused on delivering innovative solutions for four sectors: Technology & Innovation, Energy & Infrastructure, Finance and Life Sciences & HealthTech. Founded more than 150 years ago in San Francisco, Orrick today has offices in 25+ markets. We are recognized globally for delivering the highest‑quality legal advice and for our culture of innovation and collaboration.

Compensation and Benefits

The expected salary range for this position is:

• Silicon Valley and San Francisco $75,000 – $95,000.
• Washington DC, Los Angeles, Orange County, Santa Monica, Sacramento, and Seattle $75,000 – $95,000.
• Portland $75,000 – $95,000.

Orrick is committed to providing a comprehensive, competitive, and thoughtful total compensation package to our attorneys and staff, wherever they work. This compensation and benefits information is based on the Orrick’s estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future. The level of pay within the range will depend on a variety of job‑related factors that may include, but not limited to, qualifications, relevant experience or education, particular skills or expertise, geography. Other compensation may include an annual discretionary merit bonus, which would be determined by Firm and individual performance.

We offer a full range of elective health benefits including medical, dental, vision and life; robust mental well‑being programs; child, family, elder, and pet care benefits; short‑ and long‑term disability and industry leading parental leave benefits, health savings account contributions (w/applicable medical plan), flexible spending accounts, and a 401K program. This role will receive compensated time off through our Paid Time Off program and paid holidays.

Please visit www.orrick.com for more information about the firm.

How to Apply:

If you are searching for a chance to create an impact, you have a little grit and you love working with a team, we want to talk with you. To submit your resume and cover letter for this position, please visit our Staff and Paralegal Opportunities Listings at www.orrick.com/Careers. Orrick accepts applications for this position on an ongoing basis, until filled.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Consistent with the SF Fair Chance Ordinance, an arrest and conviction record will not automatically disqualify a qualified applicant from consideration.

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for the position in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.