Legal Practice Assistant

Profile

Legal Practice Assistant

DUTIES: Proactively maintain an overview of timekeepers’ workloads and caseloads; anticipate next steps and implement follow-up procedures to ensure each task is appropriately tracked and carried through to completion. Create, edit, revise, redline, and/or proofread documents dictated, handwritten, typed, and/or electronically copied. Maintain timekeepers’ calendars of meetings and business trips using current software applications and apprise them of responsibilities in advance of commitment. File paper and electronic documents with appropriate courts and agencies and ensure proper procedures are followed and deadlines are met. Receive, screen, and transmit telephone and conference calls in a professional manner and take accurate telephone messages for timekeepers, clients, and business professionals as required. Process incoming mail, faxes, and electronic communications upon receipt. Prepare outgoing mail (including packages for shipment) for prompt delivery, arranging for messenger services as needed to meet deadlines. Coordinate with docketing specialists to review docketing reports for accuracy of dates, and to ensure court or agency documents/actions for legal proceedings meet firm docketing requirements. Coordinate preliminary conflict checks with the Professional Standards department to ensure lawyer and firm ability to represent a requesting party. Prepare new client/matter intake forms and engagement letters. Assist with the billing process including daily time entries—entering, proofreading, spellchecking, and releasing—and distributing monthly proformas; prepare final with cover letter (if appropriate) in accordance with firm or department procedures. Prepare accounting documents as required, including check requests, expense and travel reimbursement requests, and trust documents. Coordinate client/attorney/administrative conferences, meetings, and appointments for timekeepers and clients, including scheduling conference rooms and visitors’ offices, arranging meals, preparing materials, and coordinating with third parties as needed (e.g., court reporter/videographer). Coordinate travel arrangements, securing air, hotel, and car plans for timekeepers. Set up and maintain administrative and client files; file electronic and/or paper documents and information promptly and accurately. Maintain file organization and updated indices (office dependent). Perform copying, scanning, and faxing tasks. Prepare notebooks as required. Assume responsibility for miscellaneous tasks and special projects as required. Conduct Internet research as directed by timekeepers. Occasionally assist timekeepers with personal work requests, defined in the firm manual as “acceptable tasks.” Be present at work during regularly scheduled working hours and as needed in the position and use time wisely during the workday. Keep supervisor informed of activities and any significant personal schedule changes; provide timely and accurate timecards regarding hours worked and days missed. Coordinate absences within workgroups; proactively provide assistance to timekeepers in the absence of their regular Legal Practice Assistants, and to other Legal Practice Assistants as time permits. Maintain a clean and uncluttered work area, being sure that confidential materials and valuable items are secured.

Additional Information

Requisition ID: R0004187

Company info

Perkins Coie LLP
1201 Third Avenue Suite 4900
Seattle
Washington
United States 98101
Phone : 206-359-8000
Fax : 206-359-9000
Website : https://www.perkinscoie.com