Part-Time Legal Assistant

Varnum LLP.

Grand Rapids (MI)

On-site

USD 21,000 - 30,000

Part time

6 days ago

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Job summary

Varnum LLP in Grand Rapids seeks a Part-Time Legal Assistant to support multiple practice teams. The role requires strong organization, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently or as part of a team.

This position focuses on administrative tasks across litigation, corporate, real estate, and labor & employment areas. The schedule is Tuesday and Wednesday 5:00pm–9:00pm, with occasional additional coverage on Monday 5:00pm–10:00pm and Thursday 5:00pm–9:00pm.

Qualifications

2–3 years of experience as a Legal Assistant.
High school diploma required; Bachelor’s degree preferred.
Strong transcription, proofreading, and organizational skills.
Familiarity with iManage or other legal document management systems.

Responsibilities

Provide administrative and clerical support to multiple attorneys and staff.
Proofread, edit and create documents with professional formatting.
Enter attorney time in billing system accurately and timely.
Coordinate document delivery via courier, hand-delivery or mail.
Open new files and perform conflict checks.
Transcribe documents from dictation.
Occasional coverage for reception.

Skills

Transcription

Proofreading

Organization

Communication

Education

High school diploma required

Bachelor’s degree in legal studies preferred

Tools

iManage

MS Word

Excel

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

Ready to explore what’s possible? Review our open positions.

Position:Part-Time Legal Assistant

Location: Grand Rapids, MI

Job Id:289

# of Openings:1

Part-Time Legal Assistant

Varnum LLP, a Michigan-based, full-service law firm with over 225 attorneys and 6 offices,has a part-time opening for a Legal Assistantin our Grand Rapids officesupporting multiple practice teams. We are seeking a candidate who is organized and displays a 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.

The schedule for this part-time position is Tuesday and Wednesday 5:00pm-9:00pm, with occasional coverage as firm needs dictate on Monday from 5:00pm-10:00pm and Thursday from 5:00pm-9:00pm.

This position is responsible for providing administrative and clerical support to multiple attorneys, paralegals, and staff in abroad range of practice areasincluding litigation, corporate, real estate, estate planning and labor & employment.This positionprovides coverage support for both planned and unplanned staff absences and general office overflow on a daily basis.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Legal Administrative Expertise
- Proofread, edit and create documents to ensure accuracy and professional appearance.
- Enter and proof attorney time in the billing system accurately and on schedule on an as needed basis.
- Convert documents from PDF to Word and reformat using Styles and Multi-Level lists as needed.
- Arrange for the proper delivery of documents/projects via courier runs, hand-deliveries, Federal Express, UPS, Certified USPS Mail, etc.
- Open new files and perform conflict of interest checks through conflicts control system.
- Copying, typing, scanning, faxing and any other general office duties as needed.
- Transcribe documents from dictation.
- Occasional coverage for the reception team.
Communication Skills
- Maintain confidentiality in all firm and client matters.
- Participate on a client-focused team displayingprofessionalism and exercising personal judgment under the ultimate direction of attorneys, paralegals, and Legal Support Services leadership.
- Monitor and respond to internal communications in a timely manner
- Participate in a client-focused team environment, exercising sound judgment and professionalism.
Organization & Time Management
- Provide flexible support across departments during staff absences, peak workloads, or urgent projects.
- Attend staff meetings, training sessions and other required employee meetings.
- Manage competing priorities and deadlines with efficiency and professionalism

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

Education:

High school diploma required.
Bachelor’s degree in legal studies preferred.

Experience:

2-3 years of experience as a Legal Assistant.

Skills/Abilities:

Ability to transcribe legal documents, correspondence, and reports from rough draft from dictation.
Knowledge of iManage or other legal document management systems.
Excellent grammar, proofreading, transcription, and organization skills.
Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
Exceptional organizational and multitasking abilities to meet deadlines.
Ability to work well in a team-oriented environment and independently as needed.
Ability to communicate and follow instructions effectively from a diverse group of attorneys and staff.

Hours: