Legal Support Assistant

Sidley Austin; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 62,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Sidley Austin LLP is seeking a Legal Support Assistant to provide comprehensive administrative support to attorneys and legal personnel. You will manage calendars, coordinate meetings and travel, assist with time entry, billing, and matter management, and maintain confidential client files.

The role requires 3+ years in administrative or legal support, strong Microsoft Office skills, and a detail-oriented, professional approach.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of administrative, legal support, or professional services experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and prioritize deadlines.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.

Responsibilities

• Maintain attorney calendars, schedule meetings, coordinate conference rooms, and assist with logistics for internal and client meetings.
• Coordinate domestic and international travel arrangements, including air, hotel, rail, and car reservations; prepare travel itineraries and process expense reimbursements.
• Assist with time entry, proofreading, and editing attorney time records for accuracy and completeness.
• Support billing and matter management functions, including preparation of billing reports, monitoring client billing requirements, assisting with estimate reporting, and responding to client inquiries.
• Process new business intake forms, conflict checks, and new matter requests in coordination with Firm administrative departments.
• Prepare, revise, format, and proofread legal and business documents, including correspondence, presentations, memoranda, engagement letters, spreadsheets, and client deliverables.
• Assist attorneys with document management, electronic filing, redlining, table creation, and document organization.
• Coordinate with internal departments including Accounting, IT, Human Resources, Records, and Practice Administration to complete assigned tasks and projects.
• Maintain organized electronic and physical files in accordance with Firm policies and procedures.
• Provide general administrative support to attorneys and team members as needed.
• Demonstrate flexibility and teamwork in supporting changing priorities and workload demands.

Skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Written and verbal communication

Confidentiality

Multitasking

Team collaboration

Pressure management

Technical aptitude

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Legal Support Assistant provides administrative, organizational, and clerical support to attorneys and legal personnel on the FAS Team. This role supports a collaborative team environment by coordinating workflow, assisting with client and matter administration, maintaining attorney schedules, and ensuring timely completion of administrative and legal support tasks. The Legal Support Assistant works closely with attorneys, practice assistants, business professionals, and clients while maintaining confidentiality, professionalism, and attention to detail.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintain attorney calendars, schedule meetings, coordinate conference rooms, and assist with logistics for internal and client meetings.
• Coordinate domestic and international travel arrangements, including air, hotel, rail, and car reservations; prepare travel itineraries and process expense reimbursements.
• Assist with time entry, proofreading, and editing attorney time records for accuracy and completeness.
• Support billing and matter management functions, including preparation of billing reports, monitoring client billing requirements, assisting with estimate reporting, and responding to client inquiries.
• Process new business intake forms, conflict checks, and new matter requests in coordination with Firm administrative departments.
• Prepare, revise, format, and proofread legal and business documents, including correspondence, presentations, memoranda, engagement letters, spreadsheets, and client deliverables.
• Assist attorneys with document management, electronic filing, redlining, table creation, and document organization.
• Coordinate with internal departments including Accounting, IT, Human Resources, Records, and Practice Administration to complete assigned tasks and projects.
• Maintain organized electronic and physical files in accordance with Firm policies and procedures.
• Provide general administrative support to attorneys and team members as needed.
• Demonstrate flexibility and teamwork in supporting changing priorities and workload demands.

Education and/or Experience:

Required:

• 3+ years of administrative, legal support, or professional services experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and prioritize competing deadlines.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.

Preferred:

• Prior law firm or professional services experience.
• Experience supporting multiple professionals in a fast-paced environment.
• Familiarity with legal terminology and document formatting.
• Experience with billing, expense reporting, and matter management systems.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.

Other Skills and Abilities:

• Strong interpersonal and client service skills
• Initiative and adaptability
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Professionalism and reliability
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines
• Strong technical aptitude and willingness to learn new systems and processes

#LI-EC1

The target salary range for this role is:

$62,000 - $78,000 if located in Washington, D.C.

Salaries vary by location and are based on numerous factors, including, but not limited to, the relevant market, skills, experience, and education of the selected candidate. Our compensation package also includes bonus eligibility and a comprehensive benefits program. Benefits information can be found at Sidley.com/Benefits.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the Duties and Responsibilities above satisfactorily and meet the requirements. The requirements listed above are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. If you need such an accommodation, please email [e-mail] (current employees should contact Human Resources).

Sidley Austin LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.