Legal Support Specialist (Litigation)

Cooley LLP; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 56,137 - 74,390; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Vision and dental insurance

Paid Time Off (20 days)

Generous parental leave

Job summary

A leading law firm is seeking a Legal Support Specialist (Litigation) in Palo Alto, California. The candidate will provide specialized administrative support to attorneys, including document preparation, court filing, and deadline management. Candidates should have 4+ years of legal administrative experience, proficiency with Microsoft Office and iManage is required. The role offers a competitive salary with excellent benefits, emphasizing career development and fair employment practices.

Qualifications

• After orientation at Cooley LLP, must exhibit proficiency in legal support tools.
• 4+ years of experience in a law firm or legal department, preferably in litigation.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and revise legal documents and pleadings.
• Arrange court filings and communicate litigation deadlines.
• Coordinate travel arrangements for attorneys.

Skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite

Administrative support in a law firm

Legal terminology interpretation

Effective communication

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree or business college certificate

Tools

iManage

Job description

Legal Support Specialist (Litigation)

Cooley is seeking a Legal Support Specialist to join the Business Litigation team.

Position summary

The Legal Support Specialist (Litigation) will provide complex and specialized administrative support to assigned attorneys and paralegals. Specific duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Position responsibilities

• Prepare and revise documents to support timekeepers which may include DocuSign, drafts, oral instruction, redlining, and proofreading end product
• Draft pleading and discovery documents (e.g., master captions, shell notices, declarations, proposed orders, and proof of services)
• Create and maintain files, including electronic files in iManage, Outlook, and shared drives
• Arrange for court filings and service of documents (e.g., new complaints and subpoenas)
• Electronically file and serve documents with applicable jurisdictions including courtesy and/or chambers copies as needed
• Coordinate court reporters and videographers for depositions and court hearings
• Assist with deposition exhibit preparations
• Prepare new business forms (e.g., conflict sheets, engagement letters, waiver letters) for new and existing clients while coordinating with business intake & conflicts department
• Maintain timekeepers' calendar along with team court-related deadlines, while proactively resolving scheduling conflicts
• Schedule and coordinate virtual and in-person client and internal meetings
• Communicate with docket department for litigation related deadlines
• Prepare and process invoices, submit expense reports, check requests, travel reimbursements, cell phone reimbursements, and fitness reimbursements using general ledger codes in accordance with accounting/finance department guidelines
• Enter time daily in IntApp and maintain appropriate records
• Review, distribute, and process prebills
• Perform audit letter process
• Perform legal research, as requested
• Keep abreast of court rules and procedures, legal terminology, and e-filing and filing under seal requirements
• Maintain timekeepers' CLE credits, bar admissions/renewals, and various court admissions
• Make travel arrangements, making recommendations for optimal flights and accommodations, while adhering to the firm's travel policy
• Coordinate with the service center to prepare and arrange messenger service, large-scale mailings, and copy projects
• Copy and print documents that are not appropriate to send to the service center
• Consistently use the CRM tool to support business development in the firm
• Maintain open communication and professional relationships with all assigned timekeepers, team members, and clients
• Assist other timekeepers and team members, as needed
• Work with, delegate, and provide mentorship to practice team assistants, as appropriate
• Keep abreast of applicable software and procedural changes at the firm
• Participate in pilot programs to test and improve technology or workflow enhancements
• Other duties as assigned or required

Skills and experience

Required

• After orientation at Cooley LLP, exhibit proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, iManage and other firm applications
• 4+ years of administrative support experience in a law firm or legal department, preferably specializing in litigation practice

Preferred

• Ability to navigate and interpret legal procedures and terminology effectively
• Bachelor's degree or business college certificate

Competencies

• Ability to complete tasks independently in a fast-paced environment for multiple assigned timekeepers while working as part of a team
• Pro-actively prioritize work assignments and consistently meet deadlines
• Delegate work effectively when necessary
• Demonstrate initiative, diplomacy, and tact
• Ability to consistently deliver high-quality work with attention to detail in proofreading, writing, and communication
• Engage in a professional and polite manner with clients, colleagues, court personnel, and others
• Reliable, committed, organized, and punctual

Cooley offers a competitive compensation and excellent benefits package and is committed to fair and equitable employment practices.

EOE.

Candidates with at least one year of experience may be considered for this role at the Legal Support Assistant level and candidates with more than ten years of experience may be considered for this role at the Senior Legal Support Specialist level. The expected hourly pay range for this position with a work schedule of 40 hours per week is as follows:

Legal Support Assistant - $40.75 - $44.50/hour ($84,760.00 - $92,560.00 annually)

Legal Support Specialist - $44.50 - $54.00/hour ($92,560.00 - $112,320.00 annually)

Senior Legal Support Specialist - $54.00 - $66.00/hour ($112,320.00 - $137,280.00 annually)

Please note that final offer amount will be dependent on geographic location, applicable experience and skillset of the candidate.

We offer a full range of elective benefits including medical, health savings account (with applicable medical plan), dental, vision, health and/or dependent care flexible spending accounts, pre-tax commuter benefits, life insurance, AD&D, long-term care coverage, backup care for children and/or adults and other parental support benefits. In addition to elective benefit options, benefited employees receive firm-paid life insurance, AD&D, LTD, short term medical benefits as well as 20 days of Paid Time Off ("PTO") and 10 paid holidays each year. We provide generous parental leave and fertility benefits. New employees will attend a detailed benefit orientation to learn more about our many benefits and resources.