Legal Assistant SR

Position Purpose: Under direction, the Legal Assistant, Senior assists attorneys by performing legal work requiring comprehensive knowledge of legal procedures, methods, and terminology.

Responsibilities/Duties/Functions/Tasks:

• Provides on-the-job training to less experienced workers.
• Ensures work is performed in a timely manner and in compliance with established policies and guidelines.
• Responds to employee’s questions regarding unusual, complex, or technical work-related matters.
• Assists attorneys with management of complex case files and pleadings.
• Drafts and/or dictates legal briefs, pleadings, correspondence, affidavits, and other legal documents.
• Conducts research including statutes, ordinances, court decisions, and legal opinions.
• Attends depositions and hearings and reviews transcripts, as required.
• Reviews files, mail and complex legal documents to gather information and locate missing or incomplete records.
• Contacts clients, debtors, attorneys and courts for resolution of outstanding issues, further instructions, status updates, and additional information and documentation.
• Negotiates settlements and sale or return of assets/collateral for attorney/client approval.
• Oversees the preparation and assembly of evidence exhibits and other materials used in legal proceedings.
• Monitors client billings and prepares billing statements.
• Coordinates the service of subpoenas, notice of depositions, and other legal documents to witnesses and parties to action.
• Forwards accounts to out of town counsel and serves as liaison between client and attorney.
• Arranges for payment of court costs, local counsel fees, publications costs, etc.
• Performs data entry to update notes on account.
• May take and process debtor payments.
• Maintains current knowledge of general legal procedures, deadlines and procedures for appropriate documents, office equipment, and software in general use in the legal community.
• Complete all required training applicable to assigned position.
• Additional duties as requested or required.

Qualifications:

• Associate's Degree and/or Paralegal certificate required.
• 4 years legal experience with comprehensive knowledge of relevant laws, legal/court procedures, e-filing, and legal terminology associated to working on subrogation files, replevin files, forfeiture files, preparation of contested pleadings, assisting with trial & hearing preparation.
• Demonstrated organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Professional demeanor with clients and co-workers.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent computer skills using Microsoft Office products.

Benefits and Compensation:

• Pay scale for this opportunity is $24.52 per hour - $30.75 per hour 
• Paid Time Off (PTO) - 16 days annually + 9 Company paid holidays
• Competitive benefits - Medical, Rx, Dental, Vision, 401(k), Parental Leave, Life and Disability Insurance and more. You can review our benefits at www.weltman.com/careers for more information.
• Promotional opportunities within the Firm
• Fun participation in community involvement initiatives, office parties, and competitions.
• Employee Perks available from Verizon, Car Dealerships, Local Movie Theaters, Theme Parks, etc.
• Free onsite gym
• Parking/Public Transit stipend available once benefits are available, very close to the Brown line and Metra

Work Requirements:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit at the workstation for extended periods. The employee must have the ability to communicate effectively in written and oral form; enter data into a computer; and operate standard office equipment including computer, telephone, printer, copier, and facsimile machine.
• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Normal office conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

EOE Statement: WWR/Weltman is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer