Practice Assistant / Legal Secretary

Kirkland & Ellis LLP; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 61,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Learning and development opportunities

Job summary

Kirkland & Ellis LLP in Washington, DC is seeking a Practice Assistant to provide administrative and legal support to a team of attorneys and paralegals. You will manage calendars, coordinate travel, process client requests, and ensure efficient day-to-day operations with strong attention to detail.

The role requires 3+ years of legal support, advanced MS Office skills, and ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent required.
• 3+ years of legal secretarial, legal administrative, or related professional support experience.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat DC.

Responsibilities

• Manage calendars, schedule meetings and conference calls, coordinate travel arrangements, answer and screen calls, enter attorney time, process expense reports, and support daily attorney and paralegal needs.
• Process conflict checks and New Client/New Matter requests, conduct attorney-directed research, and help ensure compliance with firm procedures and deadlines.
• Prepare, revise, format, and finalize legal documents, correspondence, presentations, spreadsheets, and other materials using Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat DC, and document management systems.
• Proofread documents for accuracy and consistency, transcribe meeting notes and dictation, and maintain organized electronic and paper files in accordance with firm policies.
• Collaborate with teams across Accounting, General Services, Conference Services, Court Services, Reprographics, and Digital Services to deliver seamless support to attorneys and clients.
• Provide backup support to fellow Practice Assistants, handle confidential information with discretion, and foster a collaborative, service-focused environment while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism.]

Skills

Attention to detail

Client service

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Excel

Adobe Acrobat DC

iManage DeskSite

Chrome River

DocX Tools

Job description

Category: Practice Services/Legal Secretary

At Kirkland & Ellis, we don’t just meet the standard for legal excellence — we set it. Our culture is built on teamwork, ingenuity and an unwavering commitment to continuous growth. We tackle the most sophisticated legal challenges with bold ideas and innovative solutions, powered by the exceptional experience and ambition of our 7,000+ people, including 4,000+ attorneys, across 24 offices worldwide. Our dedicated professionals share our lawyers’ commitment to excellence and show up each day to do meaningful work that helps drive global business, investment and innovation forward.

What You’ll Do

Are you a detail-oriented professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys supporting high-performing legal teams?

The Washington, DC office is seeking a Practice Assistant to provide administrative and legal support to a team of attorneys and paralegals. In this highly visible role, you’ll help drive efficiency, maintain organization, and ensure seamless day-to-day operations while contributing to exceptional client service. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who combines strong technical skills, sound judgment, and a collaborative approach with a commitment to excellence.

What You’ll Do

• Attorney & Administrative Support:Manage calendars, schedule meetings and conference calls, coordinate travel arrangements, answer and screen calls, enter attorney time, process expense reports, and support daily attorney and paralegal needs.
• Client & Matter Coordination:Process conflict checks and New Client/New Matter requests, conduct attorney-directed research, and help ensure compliance with firm procedures and deadlines.
• Document Creation & Production:Prepare, revise, format, and finalize legal documents, correspondence, presentations, spreadsheets, and other materials using Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, and document management systems.
• Quality Control & Records Management:Proofread documents for accuracy and consistency, transcribe meeting notes and dictation, and maintain organized electronic and paper files in accordance with firm policies.
• Cross-Functional Partnership:Collaborate with teams across Accounting, General Services, Conference Services, Court Services, Reprographics, and Digital Services to deliver seamless support to attorneys and clients.
• Teamwork & Professionalism:Provide backup support to fellow Practice Assistants, handle confidential information with discretion, and foster a collaborative, service-focused environment while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism.

What You’ll Bring

• Education:High school diploma, General Educational Development (GED), or equivalent required.
• Experience: 3+ years of legal secretarial, legal administrative, or related professional support experience.
• Technical Proficiency: Advanced skills in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat DC, with the ability to produce polished, accurate work
• Legal Technology: Proficiency with legal technology tools such as Chrome River, Carpe Diem, DocX Tools, iManage DeskSite, Adobe applications, and Avaya, with the ability to quickly adapt to new systems.
• Organization, Communication & Client Service: Strong attention to detail, effective written and verbal communication skills, and a proactive, client-focused approach to delivering exceptional support in a fast-paced environment.
• Collaboration & Adaptability: Proven ability to manage competing priorities, work effectively within a team, provide backup support when needed, and remain flexible in a dynamic legal setting.

If you’re excited to support top-tier legal professionals, deliver exceptional client service, and make an impact in this Practice Assistant role, we’d love to hear from you!

Compensation

The base salary range below represents the low and high end of the salary range for this position in Washington, DC. This range may differ based on your geographic location and cost of living considerations. At Kirkland & Ellis, we consider compensation more than just a base salary. We offer an exceptional range of flexible benefits including comprehensive healthcare, paid time off, and retirement. We also offer personal support and tailored learning and development opportunities all designed to help you realize your full potential both in life and at work.

Compensation Range:

Washington, DC: $61,000 - $95,000

All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.