Legal Assistant - Multi Practice Litigation

GENERAL SUMMARY: Perform administrative legal support under the supervision of attorneys, with tasks that include but are not limited to: organize and retrieve legal documents and assist with preparation of case materials; maintain and organize case files, exhibits, and notebooks; and electronic filing with local, state and federal courts. There will be occasional billable tasks, and some corporate/probate work. This position must observe confidentiality of client and firm matters. The ideal candidate will have experience in a variety of practice group areas, such as civil litigation, real estate, contracts and appellate work. Experience with state, local and federal court rules is required. NOTE: It may be possible to work remote up to 2 days per week, based on the needs of the position.

SALARY RANGE/BENEFITS: $62,000-90,000 – This salary range is dependent upon a variety of factors, which include but are not limited to the following: the candidate’s experience, skill level, and demonstrated ability to perform all of the essential functions of the position and all of the qualifications listed in the job description. Benefits include: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short & long term disability, 401K, paid time off, and holiday pay.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: “Essential functions” are primarily job duties that incumbents must be able to perform unassisted or with some reasonable accommodation made by the employer. This position involves recurring work situations with occasional variation from the normal to a moderate degree of complexity. Employee must perform all duties with minimal supervision. Overtime may be required during periods of high workload.

• Assist with all aspects of the litigation process including: preparing pleadings such as notice of appearance, finalizing briefs, E-filing in appellate, federal, state and local courts, tracking discovery and verifications, preparing settlements and dismissal paperwork, closing files and assisting with compiling expert information.
• Draft correspondence and other communications in strict confidence; communicate with attorneys, clients and vendors in a professional manner. This may include administrative tasks associated with attorney’s membership in work-related organizations.
• Maintain attorney calendars including coordination of schedules, case docketing, and assisting with travel arrangements.
• Organize and maintain case files, including copying, filing, typing and updating case indices.
• Research, retrieve, collect and compile case materials for use by attorneys and experts.
• Coordinate attorney directives regarding case and client guidelines.
• Other tasks as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated experience understanding litigation procedures in Washington State and Oregon (local, state and federal courts, depending on office location), required. Appellate court experience is a plus.
• Familiarity with basic office policies and procedures.
• High degree of technical skills, including MS Office products required; accounting and docketing software a plus.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, such as personal computer, multi-line telephone, fax/copy machine.
• Ability to maintain filing and recordkeeping systems.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to communicate professionally with all levels of a law firm from attorneys to reception, clients and vendors.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate with others as a team, in a collegial manner.
• Ability to be reliable and maintain regular attendance, and be able to work overtime as needed.
• Ability to follow instructions and organize work to meet deadlines.

EDUCATION/TRAINING: High school diploma or equivalent required; college degree a plus or equivalent work experience demonstrating required skills.

EXPERIENCE: 3+ years’ experience or any combination of education and experience which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the job.

WORKING CONDITIONS: Normal office environment with little exposure to excessive noise, dust, temperature and the like. Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time; frequently operates a computer and other office machinery such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer; frequently works under deadlines; occasionally needs to move about the office to access file cabinets, machinery, etc. Ability to occasionally lift objects weighing up to 10 pounds. Travel outside the office may occasionally be necessary.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of essential responsibilities or requirements.