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.