Legal Assistant Lead

Description

 Responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Prepare, organize, and create complex legal documents and forms;
• Assist with and prepare electronic court filings; knowledge of state and federal courts;
• Assist attorneys with conflicts checks and opening new matters;
• Prepare TOCs/TOAs; exhibits, binders, and other legal documentation;
• Demonstrate excellent understanding of formatting and styles, redlining and other proofreading skills;
• Determine docket/calendar dates from court documents and correspondence and enter into Firm's calendaring software;
• Establish and maintain paper and electronic client and administrative files;
• Answer and roll calls, schedule appointments and meetings, maintain attorneys' calendars, handle e-mail distributions/incoming and outgoing mail, updating contact information;
• Work closely with Accounting to prepare expense reports and monthly bills (from pre-edits, to processing final bills);
• Assist attorneys and paralegals in preparing for hearings, mediations, arbitrations, and trials;
• Oversee daily workflow distribution across the litigation support team, ensuring deadlines and priorities are appropriately assigned and tracked;
• Train, mentor, and onboard new team members on firm procedures, calendaring/docketing protocols, and e-filing systems;
• Serve as a point of escalation for team questions and troubleshooting, providing guidance on complex filings and calendaring issues;
• Assist with substantive litigation tasks as needed, such as discovery preparation, document summaries, and case chronologies, with training provided;
• Assist with overflow/special projects; contribute to the office and firm-wide team objectives;
• Provide general back up support to the office and other departments as required;
• Coordinate couriers and other special functions internally and externally.

The ideal candidate must possess:

• Excellent administrative, interpersonal, written and oral communication skills;
• Discretion and able to maintain confidences;
• Ability to work independently and prioritize workload activities for multiple attorneys;
• Demonstrated leadership experience, including training staff and overseeing team workflow;
• Ability to delegate effectively while maintaining accountability for team output and quality;
• Prior litigation experience required; paralegal experience, litigation support certification, or solid working knowledge of the litigation process (pleadings, discovery, motion practice) is a plus;
• Candidates with strong senior legal secretary experience and a demonstrated ability to learn substantive litigation support tasks are encouraged to apply;
• Ability to remain calm in deadline-driven and high-pressure situations;
• Effective communication skills with a diverse audience including attorneys, clients, staff and vendors;
• Sound judgement, ability to anticipate/identify/analyze problems and challenges and recommend/implement solutions;
• Maintain and nurture a positive attitude and workplace environment; and
• Have a strong sense of urgency and commitment to meeting internal and external expectations.

Requirements

• 5+ years of litigation experience in a large to medium size law firm; 
• High school diploma or equivalent required, Bachelor’s degree preferred; 
• Strong knowledge of California and Federal court procedures and rules;
• Experience with docketing software such as Compulaw or Milana preferred;
• Electronic calendaring skills required;
• Trial experience preferred;
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook);
• Superior proofreading, editing, and redlining skills;
• Highly organized and detail-oriented.