Legal Executive Assistant

DLA Piper•Austin, TX

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Legal Executive Assistant (LEA) supports lawyers by managing the daily functions of an attorney’s practice, enabling the attorney to focus on developing and sustaining that practice. The LEA acts as an executive-level assistant and trusted business partner, helping deliver practice and client priorities by coordinating connections, information, meetings, and materials. The role also collaborates with Legal Administrative Assistants (LAAs) and Legal Support Assistants (LSAs) who support the attorney’s legal team. It requires administrative competence and a thorough understanding of the procedures, business context, terminology, and documents used in an attorney’s practice. The LEA helps ensure the smooth operation of the practice area and represents the Firm professionally and positively. This position is located in DLA Piper’s Austin office and offers a hybrid work schedule, with remote and in-office work arrangements determined in coordination with the hiring manager or supervisor and subject to change at the Firm’s discretion. The role requires at least five years of administrative experience in a corporate or legal environment supporting upper-level leadership. Minimum education is a high school diploma or GED; a bachelor’s degree in legal studies, business administration, or a related field is preferred. No immigration sponsorship is available. Applicants who are not based in the jurisdiction where the role is posted are not eligible for relocation assistance unless relocation is required at the Firm’s direction and consistent with applicable policy and law. The position involves extensive communication and coordination with attorneys, clients, business professionals, third parties, and firm support teams. The LEA must exercise discretion when handling confidential information and sensitive legal matters, work effectively under pressure, prioritize competing demands, and produce accurate, timely work. The role uses firm software and standard production applications, research and case-management tools, accounting software, AI-powered tools, and virtual collaboration applications such as Zoom and Teams. Work includes prolonged computer use and sedentary activity; the position may require lifting or moving up to 10 pounds occasionally.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least 5 years of administrative experience in a corporate or legal environment supporting upper-level leadership.
Ability to communicate effectively in the native language of the region by email and voice.
In-depth knowledge of processes, procedures, and document types needed to provide high-level administrative and legal support.
Professionalism, discretion, adaptability, initiative, and commitment to continual development, including careful handling of confidential information and sensitive legal matters.
Strong written and verbal communication, interpersonal, listening, and relationship-building skills, including the ability to convey complex information clearly and concisely.
Excellent time management, attention to detail, planning, prioritization, and multitasking skills in a fast-paced and demanding environment.
Ability to work under pressure, remain positive and productive, offer solutions, and request assistance from firm resources when needed to ensure accurate and timely work.
Expert experience with technology and firm software, including research tools, case-management software, accounting software, and standard production applications such as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
Ability to adapt to application upgrades and use AI-powered tools for document production, review, and case research.
Proficiency with virtual collaboration tools, including Zoom and Teams.
Ability to perform sedentary work, including prolonged computer use, on-screen reading and typing, and occasional walking and standing; ability to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in legal studies, business administration, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Manage attorney projects, consult with lawyers and administrative teams, and ensure milestones, deadlines, and tasks are completed efficiently.
Act as a liaison among attorneys, clients, and internal departments; handle inquiries, relay messages accurately, and make sound decisions when responding on an attorney’s behalf.
Develop professional relationships, provide direction and constructive feedback, build trust, resolve conflicts, and collaborate with people throughout the organization.
Delegate assignments to LSAs and AskLegalSupport, monitor progress, communicate on the attorney’s behalf, and provide service feedback and improvement recommendations to firm management teams.
Collaborate with other LEAs and LAAs on complex projects and provide administrative support and mentorship to LSAs.
Provide ongoing feedback and mentoring to LSAs to support their professional development and improvement.
Draft, proofread, finalize, and review legal documents, correspondence, and presentations for accuracy; provide feedback to internal support teams on completed work.
Maintain and organize electronic and paper filing systems within the firm’s document-management systems and repositories, keeping work products accessible and up to date.
Conduct research for the attorney and practice group, compile information for case preparation and executive briefings, and coordinate with support teams on presentations and other materials.
Plan and coordinate meetings with internal and external parties, prepare agendas and materials, and ensure attendee support and timely handling of meeting requests.
Oversee billing matters, approval forms, and related correspondence; ensure prebills are processed accurately and on time, act as an attorney proxy for billing questions or issues, and arrange timely delivery and follow-up of final bills.
Manage the attorney’s calendar, schedule meetings, resolve conflicts, organize complex travel itineraries, communicate competing priorities and potential solutions, and ensure expenses and time entries are assigned to AskLegalSupport and processed correctly and promptly.
Communicate effectively with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and third parties; respond to calls and correspondence efficiently; produce timely, accurate, quality work; meet deadlines; foster positive work relationships; comply with firm policies; and perform other assigned duties.