Legal Executive Assistant - Litigation

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Summary

The Legal Executive Assistant (LEA) supports lawyers by managing the daily functions of an attorney's practice, allowing them to concentrate on developing and sustaining their practice. The LEA serves as an executive level assistant for the attorney, creating connections, delivering critical information, ensuring meetings and materials are accurate, and serving as a trusted business partner to help deliver against the priorities of the practice and clients. The LEA serves as a collaborative partner to Legal Administrative Assistants (LAA) and Legal Support Assistant (LSA) team members who provide support to the attorney’s legal team.

This role requires both administrative competence and a thorough understanding of the procedures, relevant business context of tasks, terminology, and documents seen in an attorney’s practice. The Legal Executive Assistant plays a critical role in ensuring the smooth operation of the attorney’s practice area and representing the Firm in a professional and positive manner.

Location

This position is located in our Los Angeles office and offers a hybrid work schedule.

Responsibilities

• Provides support and management of the attorney’s projects ensuring deadlines are met and tasks are completed efficiently.
• Consults with lawyers and administrative teams to ensure project milestones are adhered to.
• Serves as a liaison between attorneys, clients, and other internal departments, handling inquiries and relaying messages accurately.
• Utilizes independent judgment and the ability to make sound decisions when responding on behalf of the attorney.
• Develops and maintains professional relationships to ensure teams work together efficiently and effectively. Provides clear direction and constructive feedback on projects and assignments. Builds trust, resolves conflicts, and collaborates effectively with people at all levels of the organization.
• Delegates assignments as necessary to LSAs (Legal Support Assistants) and AskLegalSupport ensuring timely and accurate completion.
• Monitors progress of assignments and communicates on behalf of the attorney with support teams to ensure successful project outcomes.
• Delivers service feedback and makes improvement recommendations to firm management teams.
• Collaborates as necessary with other LEAs or LAAs to complete more complex projects or provide administrative support for attorneys.
• Provides mentorship and support to LSAs who assist with projects.
• Provides feedback for the professional development of LSAs who assist the attorney’s team.
• Delivers ongoing feedback and mentoring providing opportunities for continued improvement.
• Drafts, proofreads, and finalizes legal documents, correspondence, and presentations on behalf of the attorney.
• Reviews and ensures accuracy of final work product.
• Provides feedback to internal support teams on completed work to improve outcomes for accurate and timely project delivery.
• Provides day-to-day information governance (IG) and records management support for client/matter work by helping ensure content is organized, stored in approved repositories, and maintained in accordance with firm policies and procedures, including proactive matter close-out activities.
• Serves as a liaison between attorneys/matter teams and IG/Records resources as needed.
• Conducts research on behalf of the attorney and practice group.
• Compiles information for case preparation and executive briefings.
• Consults with internal support teams to ensure completion of presentations and other necessary materials.
• Oversees meeting planning and coordinates with internal and external parties to ensure logistical and other critical details are in place.
• Prepares meeting agenda and ensures presentations and other materials needed are accurately prepared and available.
• Ensures the attorney and meeting attendees have support and requests initiated during the meeting are managed in a timely and accurate manner.
• Oversees billing matters including all approval forms and collaboration correspondence, ensures prebills are processed by the appropriate team accurately and timely; serve as a proxy for attorneys to address questions or issues related to the billing process.
• Ensures final bills are delivered in a timely manner and initiates follow-up at the attorney’s request.
• Manages the attorney’s calendar, schedules meetings, resolves conflicts; and organizes complex travel itineraries.
• Communicates potential conflicting priorities to the attorney and offers solutions.
• Ensures the attorney’s expenses and time entry are assigned to AskLegalSupport and are processed correctly in a timely manner.

Skills and Competencies

• The ability to communicate effectively in the native language of the region via e-mail or via voice is essential.
• Takes initiative to enhance existing and learn additional skills.
• Must demonstrate adaptability and discretion with a commitment to continual development.
• Exhibits the utmost professionalism and discretion.
• Privy to confidential information and sensitive legal matters, making it imperative that they oversee all communications and documents with care and integrity.
• Has proven in-depth knowledge of processes, procedures, and types of documents to enable the highest level of administrative and legal support.
• Possesses the ability to offer solutions and assists with requests and challenges.
• Showcases effective communication and people skills to interact with lawyers, clients, business professionals and firm support teams.
• Proven ability to convey complex information clearly and concisely, both in writing and verbally.
• Be adept at listening and understand the needs and concerns of others.
• Is a process-driven professional with excellent time management, and able to prioritize tasks and multitask efficiently in a fast-paced setting.
• Pays attention to minute details and takes initiative on planning.
• Works well under pressure and able to stay positive and productive.
• Capable of working effectively in a demanding environment.
• Shows the ability to request assistance from firm resources to ensure the accurate and timely completion and delivery of work product.
• Expert experience with technology and Firm software is essential.
• Should be adept at using research tools, case management software, accounting software, and possess proficiency in the Firm’s standard production applications including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel as well as the third-party programs.
• Skilled in the ability to adapt to application upgrades and the use of AI-Powered Tools for document production, review, and case research.
• Shows flexibility and willingness to learn new skills and adapt to evolving needs of the attorney’s practice.
• Demonstrates proficiency in virtual firm collaboration tools such as Zoom and Teams to communicate with internal and external resources on behalf of the attorney’s practice.

Education

• High School or GED

Preferred Education

• Bachelor's Degree in legal studies, business administration, or a related field.

Years of Experience

• 5 years of experience in an administrative role within a corporate or legal environment providing support to upper-level leadership.

Essential Job Expectations

All DLA Piper employees are expected to demonstrate excellence in how we serve our clients and develop our people, upholding our firm values as part of our culture. Specific expectations include:

• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and external audiences.
• Produce high-quality work and respond to correspondence in an efficient, timely, and professional manner.
• Meet deadlines, manage competing priorities, and commit to meeting high standards.
• Comply with firm policies and procedures.
• Maintain confidences as required in a law firm environment.

Physical Demands
Sedentary work: This is primarily sedentary work, requiring occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or move objects. The role involves sitting for extended periods, with occasional walking and standing, and occasional travel, both domestic and international.

Work Environment    

The selected candidate will have the opportunity for a hybrid work arrangement combining remote and in-office work. The specific arrangement will be determined at the time of hiring and may be modified at the firm's discretion.

Compensation & Benefits

The firm's expected hiring range for this position is $45.33/hr - $60.06/hr, depending on the candidate's geographic location, experience, skills, educational background, and overall qualifications. 

DLA Piper offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, and additional benefits.

Application Process

Interested candidates must apply directly online. Application materials sent via email will not be accepted.

Reasonable accommodations may be made upon request to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position or participate in the selection process. For accommodation requests, please contact [email protected].

Agency applications will not be considered.

This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship or support.  

Disclaimer

This job description provides a concise overview of the role and is not intended to describe all work elements that may be performed. It should not serve as the sole criteria for personnel decisions. Job duties, requirements, and expectations may be modified at the firm's discretion at any time. This job description does not alter the at-will nature of employment.

We are committed to excellence in how we serve our clients and develop our people.

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DLA Piper is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. Job applicant poster viewing center.