Litigation Legal Assistant

Responsibilities

• Preparation of legal documents (pleadings, motions, discovery, notices, etc.)
• Scheduling depositions, court reporters, arranging for services of process.
• Assist in the Discovery process by organizing and managing documents and coordinating the exchange of information between parties.
• Manage case files, ensuring accuracy and completeness of information.
• Assist in trial preparation and support attorneys during hearings and trials.
• Produces information by transcribing, formatting, inputting, editing, retrieving, copying, and transmitting text, data, and graphics, coordinating case preparation.
• Conserves attorneys time by reading, researching, reviewing, verifying, and routing correspondence, reports, and legal documents; drafting letters and documents; collecting and analyzing information; initiating telecommunications; organizing client conferences and attorney meetings; scheduling couriers, court reporters, and expert witnesses; coordinating the preparation of charts, graphs, and other courtroom visuals; preparing expense reports.
• Maintains attorney calendar by planning and scheduling conferences, teleconferences, depositions, and travel; recording and monitoring court appearance dates, pleadings, and filing requirements; monitoring evidence-gathering; anticipating changes in litigation or transaction preparation requirements.
• Represents attorney by communicating and obtaining information; following-up on delegated assignments; knowing when to act and when to refer matters to attorney.
• Inputting attorneys time worked into financial/billing system and by documenting and inputting attorney billable time and reimbursable expenses; preparing invoices; tracking payments.
• Maintains client confidence by keeping client/attorney information confidential.
• Provides historical reference by developing and utilizing filing and retrieval systems; recording meeting discussions; maintaining transcripts; documenting and maintaining evidence.

• Ability to handle confidential matters discretely, in a mature and responsible manner conducive to the position.
• Good organizational skills and detail oriented.
• Experience in working well under pressure, i.e., managing conflicting and fluctuating deadlines, and managing multiple high-priority tasks with minimal supervision.
• Experience in effective problem-solving, involving complex situations that may present new challenges, actively using sound judgment in decision-making processes.
• Experience in performing detailed legal secretarial work with the ability to understand and carry out written and oral instructions, with minimal supervision.
• Knowledge of legal phrases and terminology specific to litigation, as well as the ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, including correct grammar, punctuation, spelling and sentence structure.
• Experience with litigation case management, including discovery and pretrial documents.
• Experience with the proper formatting of pleadings, proper citation form, constructing Tables of Authorities and Tables of Contents, as well as serving counsel and filing legal documents with the courts and administrative agencies.
• Knowledgeable about the e-filing procedures and court proceedings for state, federal and appellate courts, including the attachment of exhibits, and bate stamping of documents.
• Effective communication skills, including the ability to handle situations patiently and tactfully.
• Experience with filing systems and managing voluminous documents.
• Ability to occasionally work more than 40 hours per week to perform the essential duties of the position; may require irregular hours.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, Adobe, Lexis/Nexis, Westlaw, Odyssey, Pacer, Net Docs a plus.

• High school diploma and secretarial or business training, and 3-5 years of experience as a legal assistant. Bachelor’s degree a plus.