Professional Assistant - Energy Regulatory

Vinson & Elkins; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Vinson & Elkins seeks a Professional Assistant to provide high-level administrative support to attorneys in the Energy Regulatory practice. The role demands superb organization, confidential handling of information, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

You will maintain attorney calendars, coordinate meetings, prepare documents, assist with filings and matter management, and collaborate with partners, clients, and vendors to ensure efficient workflow and

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum of three years of administrative experience in a law firm or comparable professional services environment.
• Experience supporting attorneys/executives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, preferably in litigation.

Responsibilities

• Maintain attorney calendars and coordinate meetings, hearings, client conferences, and other practice-related events.
• Prepare, format, proofread, and finalize legal documents with high accuracy and attention to detail.
• Manage travel arrangements, expense reports, time entry, and other administrative activities proactively.
• Support new business intake and conflicts checks, including engagement letters and follow-up actions.
• Monitor assignments and deadlines, prioritizing competing requests and meeting timeframes.

Skills

Calendar management

Attention to detail

Communication

Multitasking

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Microsoft Office

NetDocuments

Litera

PacER

DocuSign

Job description

This position provides high-level administrative support to attorneys and other billable business professionals within the firm's Energy Regulatory practice group. The Professional Assistant must demonstrate strong organizational, document management, communication, and multitasking skills, along with exceptional attention to detail. This role requires the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment while exercising sound judgment, maintaining confidentiality, and collaborating with colleagues.

Duties and Responsibilities

Primary Responsibilities

• Administrative & Practice Support
  • Maintain attorney calendars and coordinate meetings, hearings, client conferences, and other practice-related events.
  • Manage travel arrangements, expense reports, time entry, and other administrative activities in a proactive and efficient manner.
  • Support the new business intake and memorandum process, including preparing engagement letters, requesting conflicts checks, and coordinating related follow-up activities.
  • Monitor assignments and deadlines, proactively prioritize competing requests, and complete work accurately and within established time frames.
• Legal Document Preparation & Management
  • Prepare, revise, format, proofread, and finalize legal documents, correspondence, and other work product with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
  • Create, maintain, organize, and manage physical and electronic files and related records throughout the matter lifecycle.
  • Oversee and coordinate the mailing of matter-related legal documents and correspondence.
  • Manage the beginning-to-end creation and preparation of binders and documents for use in hearings and mock hearing prep with clients.
  • Assist with document management, including filing, retrieval, storage, indexing, and records retention.
  • Coordinate with attorneys, other practice business professionals, vendors, and other support resources to facilitate efficient matter management and workflow.
  • Monitor court filings, docket activity, Texas PUCT filings, notices, and assist with accessing and retrieving documents through applicable filing, docketing, and state agency systems.
• Technology & Team Collaboration
  • Utilize firm technology and software applications effectively, including Microsoft Office, document management systems, PDF editing tools, time-entry applications, and other practice-support technologies.
  • Attend technology training sessions and participate in continuing education opportunities to maintain proficiency with firm systems and software enhancements.
  • Participate in departmental, practice group, office, and firm meetings to remain informed of operational and practice developments.
  • Provide backup coverage for Professional Assistants as needed and contribute positively to a collaborative team environment.
  • Adhere to departmental protocols and firm policies while exercising sound judgment and maintaining confidentiality.

Secondary Responsibilities

• Record activities in Harvest Time to support leadership in monitoring and balancing workloads and identify training needs.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent required.

Experience

• Minimum of three years of administrative experience in a law firm or comparable professional services environment required.
• Demonstrated experience supporting attorneys / executives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Supporting a litigation practice is required.
• Experience managing complex administrative, document production, and calendaring responsibilities with minimal supervision.

Required Qualifications

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines in a high-volume environment.
• Exceptional attention to detail, including proofreading, formatting, and quality control of legal and business documents.
• Consistently delivers accurate, timely, and responsive support with a solutions-oriented approach.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate confidently and professionally with attorneys, clients, colleagues, and professionals at all levels of the organization.
• Strong client-service orientation and commitment to delivering high-quality support.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and take initiative and accountability for assigned responsibilities.
• Ability to collaborate effectively and build strong working relationships within a team-based support structure.
• Flexibility and adaptability in response to changing priorities and business needs.
• Maintains the highest standards of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality regarding client and firm information.
• Adheres to departmental protocols and firm policies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience working at an electric utility and/or supporting an energy regulatory legal practice is preferred.
• Familiarity with coordinating electronic filings in state and federal courts, court rules, filing requirements, and litigation-related deadlines.
• Experience supporting business development and client relationship management activities.

Technical Skills

• Microsoft Office Suite
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, including email management, calendar coordination, scheduling, and meeting support.
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, including document formatting, styles, document cleanup, mail merge, tables of contents, cross-references, and track changes management.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including data entry, formatting, sorting, filtering, and basic formulas.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint, including creating, editing, and formatting presentation materials.
• Litigation and Document Management Applications
  • Experience with Adobe Acrobat and/or Kofax PDF tools, including document assembly, redaction, Bates numbering, page manipulation, bookmarks, headers, and footers.
  • Familiarity with Litera products, including document creation, redlining, and comparison tools preferred.
  • Familiarity with DocXtools or equivalent document-formatting tools preferred.
  • Experience using PACER to access federal court filings, pleadings, and docket reports preferred.
  • Experience with E-File Texas/FileTime and other electronic filing platforms preferred.
  • Experience using document management systems, including NetDocuments or similar platforms preferred.
• Business & Generative AI Applications
  • Familiarity with Emburse (Chrome River), Claude, Copilot, Harvey, InterAction (or similar CRM systems), Intapp Time, Microsoft Teams, Replicon, and DocuSign preferred.

Working Conditions

• Candidates are required to be within commuting distance of a V&E office.
• Job is performed in a typical office environment, but is subject to time pressures and constraints, and is primarily dependent on input from others.
• Long hours are required periodically and overtime may be required.

Disclaimer

• The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by persons assigned to this job.
• Vinson & Elkins LLP is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive considerations for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or protected veteran status.