The Practice Assistant – Litigation provides comprehensive administrative and legal support to multiple senior attorneys within a litigation practice group. This role is responsible for managing complex attorney calendars and deadlines, preparing and filing legal documents, and coordinating client and court-related activities to ensure efficient case management. The Practice Assistant plays a vital role in supporting attorneys, maintaining client relationships, and ensuring the timely completion of litigation-related tasks in a fast-paced legal environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide high-level administrative support to three or more senior-level attorneys.
- Manage attorney calendars, appointments, court dates, depositions, hearings, and litigation deadlines.
- Coordinate travel arrangements and prepare expense reimbursement reports.
- Prepare, proofread, edit, and format legal correspondence, pleadings, motions, discovery documents, briefs, and other confidential legal documents.
- Prepare and electronically file legal documents in federal and state courts in accordance with applicable court rules and deadlines.
- Conduct conflict checks, prepare engagement letters, and open new client and matter files.
- Maintain organized paper and electronic client files using document management systems.
- Monitor litigation and appellate deadlines to ensure timely completion of required filings.
- Coordinate communications with clients, courts, opposing counsel, vendors, and internal departments.
- Collaborate with attorneys and legal support staff to manage multiple priorities and meet critical deadlines.
- Maintain confidentiality of sensitive client and firm information.
- Assist with special projects and other administrative duties as assigned.
Minimum Education & Experience Requirements
Required
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Minimum of five (5) years of experience as a Legal Assistant, Practice Assistant, or Paralegal supporting a litigation practice.
- Experience supporting multiple attorneys in a law firm or professional legal environment.
- Experience preparing and electronically filing documents in both federal and state courts.
- Knowledge of litigation procedures, court rules, and filing requirements.
Preferred
- Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Legal Studies, or a related field.
- Experience supporting shareholder, partner, or senior-level attorneys.
Special Requirements
- Proficiency with electronic court filing systems for federal and state courts.
- Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of client and firm information.
- Flexibility to work additional hours as needed to meet litigation deadlines.
- Ability to work effectively in a hybrid work environment.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Strong knowledge of litigation support procedures and legal document preparation.
- Thorough understanding of federal and state court filing requirements and deadlines.
- Knowledge of appellate and trial court scheduling procedures.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Professional interpersonal skills with attorneys, clients, court personnel, and vendors.
- Ability to prioritize work independently while functioning effectively within a collaborative team environment.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Experience using legal document management systems, case management software, and electronic billing systems.
- Strong proofreading, editing, and formatting skills.
- Ability to maintain professionalism under tight deadlines and changing priorities.
Additional Desired Characteristics
- Experience supporting complex commercial litigation matters.
- Familiarity with appellate court procedures.
- Strong project coordination and organizational abilities.
- Experience with electronic records management systems.
Ability to quickly learn new legal technologies and firm-specific software.
Demonstrated commitment to providing exceptional client service.
Strong initiative and ability to anticipate attorney needs.
Hybrid work schedule available following initial onboarding and training period.
Primarily office-based with remote work opportunities based on business needs.
Fast-paced legal environment requiring management of multiple deadlines and competing priorities.
Frequent interaction with attorneys, clients, courts, and legal professionals.
Occasional overtime may be required to meet litigation deadlines.