Legal Practice Assistant

Perkins Coie LLP; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 83,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Ashurst Perkins Coie US LLP seeks a Legal Practice Assistant to support attorneys and clients with high-level administrative and legal tasks in a fast-paced environment. You will manage calendars, coordinate communications, and help ensure quality work product.

Responsibilities include document drafting, filing, and collaboration across teams to maintain accurate matters and client relationships. The role requires discretion, professionalism, and a commitment to confidentiality.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of administrative and legal experience in a law firm, legal department, or professional services environment.
• Experience supporting executives, senior-level partners, or equivalent leaders.
• Exceptional writing, communication, organization, and attention to detail is essential.
• Excellent English-language skills, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and document formatting.

Responsibilities

• Proactively manage attorney calendars, scheduling, deadlines, reminders, and travel.
• Manage emails, coordinate client communications, and facilitate meetings and documents prep.
• Provide technology guidance and stay current on firm systems, tools, and software updates.
• Deliver polished, professional service representing attorneys, practice groups, and the Firm with discretion.
• Collaborate across attorneys, paralegals, and professionals to coordinate client matters and ensure timely updates.
• Follow practice group guidelines for role-specific responsibilities.

Skills

Legal terminology

Executive support

Calendar management

Communication

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Attention to detail

Typing 75 WPM

Discretion & confidentiality

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

CRM systems

Firm workflow tools

Document drafting tools

Job description

Job Description:

Legal Practice Assistant

Drive Operational Excellence.

At Ashurst Perkins Coie US LLP , our people are our greatest asset. We’re looking for a collaborative, detail-oriented Legal Practice Assistant to join our team and help deliver an exceptional employee experience.

In this role, the Legal Practice Assistant (LPA) delivers high-level administrative and legal support with minimal supervision, helping attorneys and clients thrive through proactive service, exceptional execution, and strong collaboration. Partnering across Firm departments and shared services, the LPA ensures outstanding, efficient, and consistent legal support while strengthening client relationships. As a member of the Ashurst Perkins Coie US LLP Business Professionals team, the LPA champions the Firm’s reputation through professionalism, discretion, and an unwavering commitment to confidentiality.

What You’ll Do

Administrative Excellence

• Proactively manage attorney calendars, scheduling, deadlines, reminders, and travel to keep priorities on track and operations seamless.
• Manage emails, coordinate client communications, and facilitate meetings, document preparation, mail, and deliveries.
• Provide technology guidance and stay current on Firm systems, tools, and software updates.
• Deliver polished, professional service in every interaction, representing attorneys, practice groups, and the Firm with distinction.
• Partner with the travel team to coordinate efficient, policy-compliant travel arrangements.

Legal Support & Execution

• Deliver high-quality legal support that elevates client service and work product.
• Anticipate attorney needs, monitor workloads and caseloads, and drive timely task completion through proactive follow-up.
• Collaborate with attorneys, paralegals, and business professionals to coordinate client matters, track reporting, and ensure accurate, timely updates.
• Develop document framework, format, edit, redline, and proofread legal documents and correspondence.
• Maintain accurate, organized files across document and records management systems.
• Follow applicable practice group leveling guidelines for role-specific responsibilities.

Business Development & Client Growth

• Advance attorney business development and client relationship goals through proactive, strategic support.
• Maintain accurate CRM data, tracking client touchpoints, key contacts, prospects, and relationship developments.
• Coordinate client events, conferences, roundtables, dinners, and networking opportunities, including thoughtful follow-up to strengthen engagement and Firm visibility.
• Manage client gifts and holiday correspondence.
• Support pitches, proposals, Foundation grant requests, attorney biographies, CLE materials, and conference presentations.

Work-to-Cash & Financial Operations

• Support Work-to-Cash processes as assigned, including client intake, time entry, proforma review, billing coordination, invoice processing, and receivables.
• Apply client billing rules and outside counsel guidelines to support accurate, timely billing.
• Prepare and process check requests, expense reports, professional corporation documentation, and trust-related materials with accuracy and efficiency.

Teamwork, Innovation & Firm Citizenship

• Maintain current, accurate desk references for assigned attorneys and support the successful integration of new Partners and Senior Counsel.
• Work independently and collaboratively, contributing to team success through cross-training, knowledge sharing, and strong working relationships.
• Manage assignments through Firm workflow tools, including timers and email functions, to promote visibility, accountability, and timely execution.
• Leverage Firm resources and critical thinking to resolve issues, recommend solutions, streamline processes, and optimize workloads.
• Partner with Shared Services to delegate work effectively and maximize Firm resources.
• Complete required Legal Practice Assistant certifications and professional development within established timelines.
• Champion the Firm’s service values of impact, simplicity, and reliability while delivering exceptional client experiences and supporting Firm growth.

What You’ll Bring

• Candidates must demonstrate strong knowledge of legal terminology, practice-specific procedures, and applicable court and agency rules and deadlines.
• Exceptional writing, communication, organization, and attention to detail are essential, along with the ability to prioritize competing demands, independently triage emails, and exercise sound judgment in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision.
• Excellent English-language skills, including grammar, spelling, punctuation, and document formatting.
• Strong interpersonal skills, initiative, problem-solving abilities, and the ability to collaborate across teams.
• Typing speed of 75 WPM and proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Adaptability to client-specific technology platforms, including Google Workspace.
• Dependability, punctuality, a strong work ethic, and the highest standards of discretion and confidentiality.
• Minimum of five years of administrative and legal experience in a law firm, legal department, or professional services environment required, including at least three years supporting executives, senior-level partners, or equivalent leaders.

Preferred Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience preferred.

Why Join Ashurst Perkins Coie?

Join a collaborative, high-performing Legal Practice Assistant team where your expertise will help shape the employee experience across our global organization. In this role, if you are passionate about delivering exceptional service and making a lasting impact, you will find meaningful opportunities to grow your career while helping create an outstanding experience for our people.

This position is eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, 401(k) plan, medical, dental, and vision insurance, accrued paid time off plan starting at 20 days annually, personal medical and parental leave, up to 10 paid holidays, and family care benefits. More information regarding benefits and programs may be found here.

This position may be filled in the following location. The listed compensation range reflects the typical pay for this role, though it is rare for new hires to receive an offer at the top of the range. Actual compensation may vary depending on experience, skills, market conditions, and internal equity.

San Francisco Bay Area compensation range: $83,350 to $150,030 annually

Following a 30-day onboarding period, this role requires three days per week in the office.

Applications will be accepted through November 6, 2026.

This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship now or in the future.