Legal Practice Assistant - Commercial Litigation

WFB Perkins Coie LLP; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 56,750 - 90,800; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual discretionary bonus

401(k) plan

Medical/dental/vision insurance

Accrued paid time off starting at 20 days

Personal medical and parental leave

Up to 10 paid holidays

Family care benefits

Job summary

WFB Perkins Coie LLP is seeking a talented Legal Practice Assistant to join its Commercial Litigation Department in Seattle. This role involves providing administrative support, requiring excellent communication and organizational skills. The position demands 4 days in the office per week, contributing to the efficiency of legal services.

Candidates should have a high school diploma and preferably five years of law firm experience. The salary ranges from $56,750 to $90,800 annually, accompanied by a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Detail oriented with excellent communication and organization skills.
• Ability to handle varied administrative tasks with moderate supervision.
• Flexibility to manage and prioritize workload effectively.

Responsibilities

• Proactively manage timekeepers’ workload and task follow-up.
• Create, edit, and proof documents from various sources.
• Coordinate travel arrangements and manage calendars.
• File documents with courts and ensure deadlines are met.
• Assist with billing processes, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.

Skills

Effective oral and written communication

Strong organizational skills

Proficiency in MS Word, Outlook and Excel

Knowledge of legal terminology

Accurate typing

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Previous law firm experience (5+ years preferred)

Job description

Job Description: Perkins Coie is looking for a talented and dynamic individual to join our team as a Legal Practice Assistant (Legal Secretary) in the Commercial Litigation Department. Candidates must be detail oriented and possess excellent communication, computer and organization skills. This role provides varied and complex administrative support with moderate supervision to attorneys, other Legal Practice Assistants and paralegals. It also helps promote and maintain the goodwill and reputation of the firm, requiring the highest level of professional conduct and confidentiality. The position requires 4 days in office per week.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Proactively maintain overview of timekeepers’ workload and caseload; anticipate next steps and implement follow‑up procedures to ensure each task is tracked and completed.
• Provide varied and complex support to timekeepers with moderate supervision.
• Create, edit, revise, redline and/or proofread documents from dictation, handwritten, typed or electronic copy.
• Maintain timekeepers’ calendars of meetings and business trips; coordinate travel arrangements as necessary.
• File paper and electronic documents with appropriate courts and agencies; ensure proper procedures are followed and deadlines are met.
• Process and route incoming mail, faxes and electronic communications upon receipt.
• Prepare outgoing mail (including boxes/packages for shipment); arrange messenger services to meet deadlines.
• Coordinate with docketing specialist and review docketing reports to ensure court or agency documents/actions meet firm docketing requirements.
• Coordinate preliminary conflict checks with Professional Standards to ensure attorney and firm ability to represent requested parties.
• Prepare new client/matter intake forms and engagement letters.
• Assist with billing process: enter, proofread, spell‑check and release time entries; distribute monthly pro‑formas; review and edit prebills; prepare final bills with cover letters as appropriate.
• Prepare accounting documents, including check requests, expense and travel reimbursement requests, and trust documents.
• Coordinate client/attorney/administrative conferences, meetings and appointments for timekeepers and clients (schedule rooms, visitor offices, meals, materials and third‑party arrangements).
• Set up and maintain administrative and client files; file electronic and/or paper documents promptly and accurately and maintain file organization and updated indices.
• Demonstrate flexibility to handle tasks and prioritize workflow.
• Keep supervisor informed of activities, significant problems, and personal schedule changes; provide timely and accurate timecards.
• Coordinate absences within workgroups; provide assistance to timekeepers in the absence of the regular Legal Practice Assistant and others when time permits.
• Be familiar with and adhere to all firm policies and confidentiality principles as outlined in the confidentiality agreement.

SPECIFIC SKILLS PREFERRED

• Accurate typing at 70 words per minute.
• Effective oral and written communication; establish effective working relationships across operational groups.
• Strong command of the English language – excellent spelling, grammar, punctuation, form and style.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Outlook and Excel; familiarity with basic office equipment.
• Excellent organizational skills to prioritize workload.
• Knowledge of legal terminology and procedures pertinent to the commercial litigation assignment.
• Ability to work in office 5 days per week (though the primary role requires 4 days in office per week).

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Previous law firm experience of five or more years preferred.

LOCATION AND COMPENSATION

Washington State – compensation range $56,750 to $90,800 annually. The position may be filled at indicated locations. The firm offers a comprehensive benefits package including annual discretionary bonus, 401(k) plan, medical/dental/vision insurance, accrued paid time off starting at 20 days, personal medical and parental leave, up to 10 paid holidays, and family care benefits.

EEO STATEMENT

Perkins Coie is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or any other category prohibited by local, state or federal law. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, compensation, benefits, social and recreational activities and termination.