Legal Practice Assistant (Entry Level)

Elias Law Group; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 43,050 - 46,356; Full time

Job summary

A progressive law firm based in Washington D.C. is seeking a Legal Practice Assistant to support attorneys and paralegals. Candidates should possess excellent organizational and communication skills, with a degree preferred and experience in a legal or political environment. Responsibilities include document management, scheduling, client communication, and travel coordination. This hybrid role requires working onsite three days a week and managing multiple tasks in a fast-paced setting.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 0-2 years of experience in a law firm, political or professional services environment preferred.
• Strong interest and/or background in politics preferred.
• Adept at prioritizing multiple projects across competing deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Maintain overview of timekeepers’ workload and caseload.
• Provide key legal functions by drafting, editing, redlining, and/or proofing documents.
• Assist in managing expense reports, including entering and submitting expenses.

Skills

Organization skills

Prioritization skills

Fluency in Microsoft Office

Written communication skills

Oral communication skills

Education

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Elias Law Group LLP is a mission driven law firm, dedicated to helping Democrats win, citizens vote, and progressives make change, with offices in Washington, D.C. and Seattle, Washington. We are currently seeking a Legal Practice Assistant to join our firm in our Washington, D.C. office.

Legal Practice Assistants (LPA) provide routine administrative support, with direct to moderate supervision to designated attorneys, paralegals, and other Legal Practice Assistants. LPAs are members of case teams and may have the opportunity to travel for trials. Candidates for this position must submit a resume as well as a cover letter that explains your interest in the position and Firm, and the reason you would be a good addition to the team.

JOB CLASSIFICATION:

• Non-exempt
• Salary range is $31.25 to $33.65 an hour based on qualifications.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree (preferred) and a minimum of 0-2 years of experience in a law firm, political or professional services environment is preferred.
• A strong interest and/or background in politics is preferred.
• Applicants must have excellent organization and prioritization skills and fluency in the various Microsoft Office applications.
• Candidates must be adept at prioritizing multiple projects across competing deadlines, pay attention to detail, and keep up with client-facing task tracking.
• This role requires a heightened ability to maintain positive and productive contact with attorneys, staff members, and clients while observing confidentiality of client matters.
• Candidates must be able to work additional hours beyond the normal schedule as required, especially around relevant election dates or filing periods.
• Candidates must demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills, work well individually and collaboratively, and demonstrate proactivity and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to travel is a plus.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Proactively maintain overview of timekeepers’ workload and caseload; anticipate next steps and implement follow-up procedures to ensure each task is appropriately tracked and carried through to completion.
• Provide a variety of key legal functions by drafting, editing, redlining, and/or proofing documents.
• Prepare outgoing mail and packages for prompt delivery, arranging for couriers as needed.
• Initiate/Edit/Close new client matter numbers using the firm’s matter inception process.
• Review and prepare invoices for client billing and work with attorneys and accounting in processing bills.
• Assist in managing expense reports, including entering and submitting expenses using relevant systems.
• Coordinate client/attorney/administrative conferences, meetings, and appointments.
• Coordinate domestic travel.
• Maintain and file electronic and/or paper documents promptly and accurately.
• Copy, scan, and fax files and/or documents as needed.
• Create electronic and physical binders.
• Assume responsibility for miscellaneous tasks and special projects as required.
• Be familiar with and adhere to all Firm policies.
• Be present at work during regularly scheduled working hours and as needed in the position.
• Keep supervisor informed of activities and of any significant problems and/or all personal schedule changes.
• Provide timely and accurate timecards regarding hours worked and days missed.
• Provide backup Legal Practice Assistant coverage when team members are out of the office or unavailable.
• Manage attorney calendars and schedule internal and external meetings.
• Adhere to the principles of client and Firm confidentiality.
• Work effectively and collaboratively with colleagues, ELG members, and external clients.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Position is hybrid and requires presence in a professional office environment (DC). Currently set as Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
• Position routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets.
• Position requires that the employee be able to multi-task in a fast-paced work environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• This position is primarily a sedentary position. However, some duties and responsibilities may require the employee to lift files, open filing cabinets, bend or stand, reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, occasionally move about to access office equipment, file cabinets, etc.
• May require employee to carry or lift items weighing up to 10 pounds.

DISCLAIMER:

Elias Law Group LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, genetic information, protected veterans, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status 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.