Legal Assistant

Summary:      Staff designated at Dickinson Wright PLLC (“the Firm”) as Legal Assistant are under general supervision and according to established policies and procedures, perform a variety of secretarial duties for attorneys to whom assigned.  Responsibilities include handling the administrative functions for each secretarial assignment.  Maintains positive contact with clients, attorneys and staff and observes confidentiality of client matters. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and responsibilities of staff designated as Legal Assistant at the Firm include but are not limited to:

1. Support clients, attorneys and other staff members by performing an administrative role and handling detail-oriented and critical tasks;
2. Operate a computer, word processor and typewriter, transcribe dictation, photocopier, fax machine, telephone and other office equipment;
3. Draft correspondence, memoranda and other legal documents,
4. Communicate with attorneys and clients via email, fax and/or telephone
5. Screen telephone calls and record messages;
6. Read, sort and date incoming mail. Ensure that outgoing mail is timely delivered.  If necessary, route mail to specific service and follow-up on timely delivery;
7. Open new files, requests conflict of interest checks and maintain all client and general files, maintain records and filing systems. Conduct periodic review for possible storage of older files, prepare files to be closed;
8. Receive clients and visitors, maintain good public relations with clients, observe confidentiality of attorney-client relationship;
9. Process bills, proof billing sheets, review and edit bills;
10. Manage attorney expenses;
11. Work closely with administrative support staff (word processing, receptionists, etc.);
12. Perform overload typing, filing or photocopying as time permits and as requested by other attorneys or the personnel director;
13. Maintain attorney calendar by planning and scheduling conferences, teleconferences, depositions, and travel; recording and monitoring legal matters, fines, and filing requirements, monitoring evidence-gathering, anticipating changes in litigation or transaction preparation requirements. Maintain deadline reminder systems;
14. Represents attorney by communicating and obtaining information, follow-up on delegated assignments, knowing when to act and when to refer matters to attorney.

Qualifications, Skills and Abilities Required:

Legal Assistant must:

1. Possess the ability to read and write in order to proofread typed material for grammatical, typographical or spelling errors of routine law office correspondence and legal case matters.
2. Perform non-complex arithmetic calculations when verifying calculations on forms and documents, at a level normally acquired through completion of high school or equivalent;
3. Have approximately one to two years with the job experience necessary in order to gain an understanding of law office policies and procedures and produce accurate legal documents with minimal supervision;
4. Possess the ability to transcribe legal documents, correspondence and reports from rough draft, or transcription at a level of 70 wpm;
5. Possess the ability to organize and prioritize numerous tasks and complete them under time constraints;
6. Possess interpersonal skills necessary in order to communicate and follow instructions effectively from a diverse group of clients, attorneys and staff and provide information with ordinary courtesy and tact;
7. Possess interpersonal skills necessary in order to communicate by telephone and provide information with ordinary courtesy and tact;
8. Possess the ability to be detail-oriented and handle multiple tasks simultaneously;
9. Possess the ability to organize and prioritize numerous tasks and distribute work to ensure completion under prescribed constraints;
10. Work occasionally requires a high level of mental effort and strain while producing a high volume of information performing other essential duties;
11. Work occasionally requires more than 40 hours per week to perform the essential duties of the position; may require irregular hours.

Working Conditions:

Normal law office environment with little exposure to noise, dust, temperature.   

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job.  It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of essential functions, responsibilities or requirements. Please note that a variety of factors determine compensation, including geographic location, experience, relevant degrees and certifications, and other applicable factors authorized by law.

Dickinson Wright offers a generous benefits package for eligible fulltime employees within our U.S. offices, including health, dental, and vision; 401(k) and profit sharing plans; paid vacation; and parental leave. Additional elective programs include: a health flexible spending account, a health savings account, identity theft protection, a dependent day care reimbursement account, commuter benefits, life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability protection, an employee assistance program, and emergency travel assistance.

We are an equal opportunity employer.  All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.