Litigation Legal Assistant

Varnum LLP.

Grand Rapids (MI)

On-site

USD 42,000 - 56,000

Full time

44 hours ago

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Job summary

Varnum LLP in Grand Rapids, MI, is seeking a Litigation Legal Assistant to support the Litigation practice team. This role is 100% in-person and requires at least 2-3 years of prior Legal Assistant experience. The position runs 8:00 a.m.

to 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday and involves handling pleadings, time-entry, and file maintenance with a client-focused approach. Candidates should be organized, detail-oriented, and capable of working independently or as part of a team.

Qualifications

Two to three years Legal Assistant experience in a high-volume litigation setting.
Experience supporting a high-volume Litigation practice, including filing in state and federal courts, required.

Responsibilities

Participates in a client-focused team displaying professionalism, excellent communication skills, and exercising personal judgment under attorneys.
Proofreads and edits attorney time in the billing system; ensures accurate entry of complete information before each monthly deadline.
Prepares correspondence, memos, pleadings, briefs, forms and other documents in proper legal form; files documents electronically and physically.
Transcribes documents from dictation; proofreads and edits all documents for accuracy and professional appearance.
Open and create new files, perform conflicts checks, maintain client files, and keep files neat.
Maintain calendars for all case-related dates; prepare documents, copies, binders, and deliver final materials.
Draft, finalize, and deliver engagement letters; handle mail routing and courier arrangements.
Answer calls professionally; forward messages; assist with overflow and coverage as needed.
Attend staff meetings and general office duties; maintain confidentiality in all firm matters.

Skills

MS Office Suite

Transcription

Proofreading

Communication

Organization

Education

High School Diploma

Bachelor’s degree in legal studies or related field

Tools

iManage

Aderant EA Pro

Intapp

Job description

Professional staff keep the firm running. Whether you're managing a technology rollout, redesigning a workflow, or coordinating a client event, your expertise enables attorneys to focus on their practice, and it shapes the experience clients have with the firm. You're trusted with real ownership here: leading projects, making decisions, and seeing results.

Whether you work in HR, IT, Finance, Marketing, Recruiting, or another operational function, your expertise is essential to the firm's success. Attorneys depend on the infrastructure you maintain. Clients benefit from the efficiency you create.

Why Professional Staff Choose Varnum

Essential to Firm Success

Professional staff at Varnum are a critical part of our competitive advantage. We treat our business units as strategic experts, ensuring your insights in areas like marketing, client development, IT, finance, reception, central services, client intake, and HR are integrated into the firm’s long-term goals.

Direct Access, Real Influence

Professional staff have direct access to attorneys and are fully integrated into how work gets done. You'll build genuine working relationships, contribute your expertise to firm initiatives, and be recognized as a contributor whose judgment matters. It’s a culture where every role operates within the same system, and people show up for each other accordingly.

Long-Term Investment

People stay here. Our professional staff tenure averages nine years – a reflection of how we operate, not just what we promise. We invest in your long‑term growth through internal leadership training and support for external certifications, ensuring that as the firm evolves, your career evolves with it.

"Professional staff play a critical role in our firm's success. Their expertise, perspective, and commitment help move our work forward every day, and their contributions are valued as an essential part of our team."

"One of the things I appreciate most about Varnum is that professional staff are viewed as colleagues, not just employees."

"One of the things I appreciate most about Varnum is that professional staff are viewed as colleagues, not just employees." Kate McCarthy, Research & Library Services Specialist

"The expectations are high, but so is the support. You’re surrounded by people who want you to succeed."

"The expectations are high, but so is the support. You’re surrounded by people who want you to succeed." Connor Klunder, Finance Manager

"One of the things I appreciate most about Varnum is that professional staff are viewed as colleagues, not just employees."

"One of the things I appreciate most about Varnum is that professional staff are viewed as colleagues, not just employees." Kate McCarthy, Research & Library Services Specialist

Position: Litigation Legal Assistant

Location: Grand Rapids, MI

Job Id:287

# of Openings:1

Litigation Legal Assistant - Grand Rapids

Varnum LLP, a Michigan-based, full-service law firm with over 225 attorneys and 6 offices, has a full-time opening for an experienced Legal Assistant supporting the Litigation practice team in our Grand Rapids office. We are seeking a candidate who is organized and displays keen attention to detail, with a superb commitment to client service. This individual should be comfortable working independently, as well as part of a team. This role is 100% in-person and requires at least 2-3 years of prior Legal Assistant experience.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Participates in a client-focused team displaying professionalism, excellent communication skills, and exercising personal judgment under the ultimate direction of assigned attorneys.
Proofreads and edits attorney time in the billing system; ensures accurate entry of complete information before each monthly deadline.
Prepares correspondence, memos, pleadings, briefs, forms and other documents in proper legal form; files legal documents with appropriate attachments, both electronically and via traditional filing methods.
Transcribes documents from dictation; proofreads and edits all documents to ensure accuracy and professional appearance.
Open and creates new files, performs conflict of interest checks through conflicts control system, and maintains all electronic and physical client and general files in a neat and orderly condition.
Maintains appointment and deadline reminder calendars (docket) for all case-related dates, including but not limited to appointments, deadlines, and follow-up dates. Prepares necessary documents, copies, and binders for all appointments.
Drafts, finalizes, and delivers engagement letters.
Receives, reads, and routes incoming postal mail. Arranges for the proper delivery of documents/projects via courier runs, hand-deliveries, Federal Express, UPS, Express Mail, etc.; provides complete information to courier for delivery.
Answers telephone calls in a courteous and professional manner; forwards messages to the intended parties; answers non-legal questions. Places phone calls as needed or requested.
Closes inactive files in a timely manner and in accordance with the Record Retention & Destruction Policy and Guideline.
Requests checks for filing fees, etc. and attorneys' business expense reimbursements.
Assists with legal assistant work overflow or absence coverage as time permits or needs dictate and as requested by other attorneys, paralegals, or Human Resources representatives.
Attend staff meetings, training sessions and other required employee meetings.
Copying, typing, scanning, faxing and any other general office duty as needed.
Maintains confidentiality in all firm and client matters.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

Education:

Completion of high school.
Bachelor’s degree in legal studies or related field preferred.

Experience:

Two to three years Legal Assistant experience, demonstrating an understanding of law office policies and procedures and an ability to produce accurate legal documents with minimal supervision.
Experience supporting a high-volume Litigation practice, including filing in state and federal courts, required.

Required Skills/Abilities:

Proficient in MS Office Suite and legal document management software with the ability to transcribe legal documents, correspondence, and reports from rough draft, dictation, or transcription at a level of at least 30 wpm.
Excellent proofreading and grammar skills.
Exceptional organizational and multitasking abilities to meet deadlines and manage competing priorities.
Works independently and completes tasks with minimal supervision.
Professional demeanor and ability to work well in a team-oriented environment.
Ability to communicate and follow instructions effectively from a diverse group of attorneys and staff.
Committed to providing responsive client service.

Preferred Skills: