Legal Support Assistant

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm seeking a Legal Support Assistant to support the Corporate practice in the Houston office. The role reports to the Office Administrator and offers hybrid work capabilities.

The position emphasizes providing administrative support to attorneys, maintaining client files, coordinating travel, and ensuring high-quality client service, teamwork, and continuous improvement across the firm.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university.
• Entry-level role; prior relevant experience preferred but not required.
• Thorough knowledge in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Proficiency in Salesforce or similar software is a plus but not required.
• Type at least 60 words per minute with accuracy.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time management abilities.

Responsibilities

• Assist attorneys with drafting and editing documents, scanning, copying, and coordinating mail and emails.
• Coordinate domestic and international travel in partnership with Travel Management Company; arrange accommodations and itineraries.
• Set up and maintain case and client files in the document management system.
• Coordinate with Administrative Resource Center on tasks like client matter requests, client bills, time entry and expenses.
• Answer phones, take messages, schedule appointments and coordinate meetings for client and practice group activities.
• Proofread and redline documents for copy accuracy and grammar.

Skills

MS Office

Typing 60 wpm

Communication

Organization

Salesforce

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

Schedule: Core Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., M-F, additional hours as required

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Position Type: Full-Time/Regular

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. We are currently seeking a Legal Support Assistant to support the Corporate practice in the Houston office, reporting to the Office Administrator.

The position will reside in the Houston office with hybrid work capabilities and will be responsible for providing administrative support to attorneys and other administrative personnel, as assigned. All job duties must be performed with a commitment to superior client service, producing quality work products, and maintaining an atmosphere of teamwork and continuous improvement.

Key responsibilities of this position include:

• Assist attorneys in daily activities, including drafting and editing documents, scanning, copying, coordinating incoming/outgoing mail, and emails, assisting clients, screening vendors, and practice group coordination.
• Arrange domestic and international travel in partnership with the firm’s Travel Management Company, securing air and ground transportation, arranging hotel and/or meeting accommodations, preparing detailed itineraries and travel agendas. Maintain attorney travel profile.
• Set up and maintain case and client files in document management system.
• Coordinate work with the firm’s Administrative Resource Center team regarding certain firm administrative tasks, including processing new client matter requests, client bills, time entry and expense reports.
• Answering phones and taking messages, scheduling appointments, practice events, and coordinating meetings and calls for both client and practice group activities.
• Copy, distribute, send (electronically and/or via mail, courier or express service), file and otherwise handle completed work.
• Proofread and redline work for accuracy of copy, format, grammar, punctuation and syntax.
• Research information as requested by clients or attorneys.
• Maintain client contacts and working groups list.
• Coordinate work as needed with office, firm and third-party service departments, including Document Services, IT, Office Services, Conference Services, and Finance.
• Schedule, coordinate and track CLE requirements/adherence.
• Provide back-up assistance, as needed, to attorneys or others in the practice group who require support.
• Accept overflow work from the Office Administrator and the Secretary Coordinators as needed.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Qualifications (Experience, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities):

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university.
• Entry-level role; prior relevant experience preferred but not required.
• Thorough knowledge in MS Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint, and ability to work in various software applications, as needed.
• Proficiency in Salesforce or similar software is a plus but not required.
• Ability to type at least 60 words per minute with accuracy.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including grammar, spelling and punctuation.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, including the ability to organize self and others.
• Demonstrated strong attention to detail and ability to perform tasks accurately when under pressure, meet deadlines and facilitate solutions.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with appropriate discretion.
• Well developed and professional interpersonal skills including the ability to work independently and as a member of a team, take initiative, set priorities, meet deadlines and milestones for projects and see projects through to completion.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, meet deadlines, handle multiple tasks, manage attorney expectations, and respond to changing priorities.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships within the office and firm, and with clients, vendors, and others outside the firm.
• Willingness and ability to assume new tasks and responsibilities.
• Strong service orientation, and an ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with users, peers, office and firm management, and outside business partners.
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality of client and office information, the office and firm, and adhering to the Firm’s Core Values.