Litigation Legal Assistant

Duane Morris LLP; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Healthcare

Commuter/Pre-Tax Benefits

401k and Pension Plans

Up to 27 PTO Days

9 Paid Holidays

Floating Holidays

Employee Referral Bonus

Professional Development Training

Fertility Support Benefits

Back-Up Care Benefit

Job summary

Duane Morris LLP in San Francisco seeks a seasoned Legal Assistant to provide comprehensive administrative support to multiple Principals and the legal team. Responsibilities include calendar management, drafting and filing legal documents, and coordinating meetings, with a focus on handling sensitive information securely.

The ideal candidate has 3–5 years in litigation support, paralegal education, and thrives in a fast-paced environment within a hybrid work plan.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Calendar management and deadline tracking for litigation.
• Drafting and editing court documents (complaints, answers, discovery, briefs, motions).
• Filing and serving documents with courts and opposing counsel.
• Coordinate meetings, calls, and travel as needed.
• Maintain organized physical and electronic files; conduct basic legal research.
• Provide backup support to attorneys and timekeepers.

Skills

Litigation support

Education

Paralegal certification or AS degree

Bachelor's degree preferred

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. Must be in the San Francisco area as we are on a hybrid work schedule that requires staff to be in the office 4 days a week. This is subject to change depending on the needs of the attorneys.

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

CALIFORNIA APPLICANTS

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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.

PAY TYPE : Hourly

ANNUAL PAY RANGE: $85,000-$110,000

Please Note: The hourly and/or annual salary amount is based on a *good faith* compensation analysis in pursuant of California Bill 1162, Section 432.3. Final starting salary/wage is dependent on the candidate’s experience level, industry expertise, skills and other factors that are defined in the job description.

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