Legal Practice Specialist

Build your big career with the Firm that does Big Law better. McDermott Will & Emery is a leading global law firm that brings together more than 1,400 lawyers and 1,200 business professionals. We celebrate excellence, collaboration and community and have been recognized as a top workplace by The American Lawyer, Working Mother Magazine, Vault and the Human Rights Campaign.  

At McDermott, we don’t just invest in your future, we accelerate your career – wherever it may lead. That includes supporting you both in and outside of the office.

With us, you’ll find:

• A Firm where everyone belongs: Our award-winning culture prioritizes warmth and authenticity — we encourage you to be yourself!

• Enthusiasm for diverse perspectives: We’re smarter and stronger when everyone has a voice and a seat at the table. We welcome unique viewpoints and ideas, and we make opportunities for you and your career to thrive.

• Support to feel your best and do your best: Wellness is integral to building a successful career and a rich life. That’s why our benefits program supports your physical, emotional, mental and financial health, with an emphasis on work/life balance.  

• Real rewards for real work: We offer generous compensation packages that recognize hard work and excellence. 

Job Description:

The Legal Practice Specialist is an integral member of McDermott’s legal team. This position supports the firm by providing a high level of service and support for their assigned attorneys while consistently producing excellent work product. This position is expected to maintain a general knowledge of business services policies and procedures, practice areas and clients of the Firm. The Legal Practice Specialist must maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive matters and materials related to clients and the Firm. A successful Legal Practice Specialist takes ownership of their role, puts clients first, is adaptable to the evolving needs of the team and actively seeks creative ways to partner with attorneys to provide the highest level of client service.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Build effective working relationships with clients, internal and external, through regular interactions in a friendly, helpful, and professional manner

• Provide exceptional support in document preparation, including editing, proofreading, and redlining documents for accuracy, grammar, and formatting

• Proactively manage attorney Outlook email (when requested) and calendar to include providing reminders of responses needed and impending deadlines and obligations

• Ensure accuracy of contact and other pertinent information within Outlook and the firmwide contact, billing, and marketing databases

• Provide meticulous support in arranging and coordinating logistics for meetings, including video/audio conferencing, room assignments, hand-outs and catering requests

• Input, review, edit, and update attorney time entries in conformance with Firm’s Billing Guidelines

• Proactively manage monthly client billings by reviewing and editing prebills; liase with billing department to ensure client billings guidelines are followed and bills are sent timely

• Oversee attorney expense reports and vendor invoices through to completion to include, ensuring complete documentation is provided, prompt submission, and necessary follow-up

• Establish and maintain paper and electronic files in compliance with current Firm policies utilizing the Firm’s Document Management System

• Manage client intake process, including generating client conflict inquiries, opening new matters and preparing engagement letters

• Maintain contact information and activities with clients and prospective clients in our CRM system

• Effectively leverage time by delegating administrative tasks to support team

• Perform complex tasks which may be highly confidential and sensitive, and require discretion and diplomacy

Job Specifications:

• At least three (3) years of legal experience

• Knowledge of court rules and civil procedures in State and Federal jurisdictions, including experience with electronic filing

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word)

• Strong written and verbal communication skills; professional demeanor and presentation

• Strong client service skills with high-level standards of excellence in work product to meet or exceed client and Firm expectations

• Strong organizational skills, time management skills, and attention to detail

• Ability to work under tight deadlines and prioritize responsibilities

• Strong problem-solving skills with ability to take initiative and use good judgment and excellent follow-up skills

• Ability to maintain and handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion and diplomacy

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment

• Travel, as required

• Knowledge of trial procedures including managing databases, filing in various jurisdictions, and other aspects of trial preparation

As part of our ongoing commitment to be #AlwaysBetter for our people, clients and communities, we have created a culture of belonging that champions your individuality as both a person and a professional. From our competitive compensation, top benefits and award-winning professional development programs to industry-leading wellness initiatives, we support you through every stage of your life and career. With McDermott, you can live a life you love both in and outside of the office.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, use hands, reach with hands and arms, stoop, talk and hear

• Employee must occasionally lift up to twenty (20) pounds

Work Environment:

Typical indoor office environment

Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people within this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this job.