Litigation Legal Assistant

Duane Morris LLP; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 50,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Healthcare, Dental, and

Vision and Prescription Plans

401k and Pension Plans

Up to 27 PTO Days, 9 Paid Holidays

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Duane Morris LLP is seeking a skilled Legal Assistant to provide comprehensive administrative support to multiple Principals and the legal team. Responsibilities include calendar management, drafting and filing court documents, and coordinating meetings.

Strong multitasking and handling of confidential information are essential. The role requires 3–5 years as a Litigation Paralegal and a paralegal degree or certification.

Qualifications

• Certification or associate degree in paralegal studies.
• 3–5 years’ experience as a Litigation Paralegal.
• Ability to manage multiple confidential tasks with discretion.
• Proficiency in drafting, editing and formatting legal documents.

Responsibilities

• Manage attorney calendars and docket deadlines.
• Prepare and revise court documents (complaints, briefs, motions).
• Ensure timely service, filing and delivery of documents.
• Handle heavy court filings across state, federal and appellate venues.
• Answer phones and coordinate calls/meetings (video or in-person).
• Conduct basic legal research and print cases as requested.
• Organize and maintain physical and electronic files and mail.
• Provide backup support and collaborate with the team.

Skills

Calendar management

Drafting documents

Court filings

Legal research

File management

Teamwork

Prioritization

Communication skills

Education

Paralegal certification or associate degree

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Electronic court filing platforms

Job description

OVERVIEW:

Duane Morris LLP, a global law firm with 800 + attorneys in offices across the U.S. and around the world, offers innovative solutions to the legal and business challenges presented by today’s evolving global markets.

SUMMARY:

The Legal Assistant will provide comprehensive administrative support to multiple Principals, as well as senior and junior members of the Legal Team. This role involves managing a variety of confidential and complex tasks, including calendar management, typing, editing and/or formatting legal documents and correspondence, filing documents with various courts, both electronically and via messenger, arranging for service of documents on opposing counsel, meeting coordination, project assistance, and relationship management. The ideal candidate must excel in multitasking, managing changing priorities, and handling highly sensitive information with discretion. Maintains positive contact with clients, attorneys and staff and observes confidentiality of client and other firm matters.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Calendar Management: Track litigation deadlines, and confirm deadlines are docketed correctly. Coordinate attorney calendars, minimize conflicts, prevent double bookings, and proactively make decisions regarding appointment urgency and importance.
• Preparing draft court documents, including but not limited to complaints, answers, discovery, briefs, motions, motions for summary judgment, correspondence and memos.
• Revising and finalizing documents and ensuring timely service, filing and delivery.
• Heavy court filings including service of pleadings on opposing and associated counsel, at state, federal, and appellate level and in many different venues; knowledge of electronic filing procedures for the various venues, including state, federal, appellate and arbitration forums
• Answers telephones and relays messages. Arranges conference calls, video conferences and in-person meetings.
• Demonstrates working knowledge of internet resources to perform basic legal research and print off cases, as requested.
• Organizes and accurately maintains physical and electronic documents and files in a timely manner. Creates and maintains working files and binders as requested. Utilizes Firm provided software to accurately store email messages, and maintain and retrieve files.
• Opens new files, requests conflict of interest checks with record center and maintains on-line and hard-copy files. Conducts periodic reviews for possible storage of older files; prepares files to be closed.
• Provides backup support to other attorneys and timekeepers as needed. Volunteers for overflow work assignments when time permits and actively seeks to maximize productivity and promote teamwork. Possesses knowledge of key clients and contacts.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE :

• Certification or associate’s degree in paralegal studies (bachelor’s degree is preferred)
• Minimum of 3- 5 years’ experience as a Litigation Paralegal

BENEFITS:

• Comprehensive Healthcare, Dental, Vision, and Prescription Plans
• Commuter, HSA and FSA Spending Accounts
• Short-term and Long-term Disability and Life Insurance Coverage
• 401k and Pension Plans
• Up to 27 PTO Days, 9 Paid Holidays and 2 Floating Holidays
• Employee Referral Bonus ($3,000.00)
• Professional Development Training
• Fertility Support Benefits
• Back-Up (Family) Care Advantage and Employee Assistance Program

ACCOMMODATION STATEMENT:

If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please contact Nate Maxwell at 215-979-1000.

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Disclaimer: The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not a contract or employment agreement and is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of all functions, responsibilities or requirements. In addition, Duane Morris reserves the right to amend, suspend or terminate any benefit plan, in whole or in part, at any time. The authority to make such changes rests with the Plan Administrator