Legal Executive Assistant - Disputes

DLA Piper•San Francisco, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Legal Executive Assistant (LEA) – Disputes supports attorneys by managing the daily functions of their practices so they can focus on developing and sustaining their work. The LEA serves as an executive-level assistant and trusted business partner, connecting people, delivering critical information, and ensuring meetings and materials are accurate. The role collaborates with Legal Administrative Assistants (LAAs), Legal Support Assistants (LSAs), and other firm teams, and requires strong administrative competence and thorough knowledge of the procedures, business context, terminology, and documents involved in an attorney’s practice. The position helps ensure the smooth operation of the practice and represents the Firm professionally. It is based in DLA Piper’s San Francisco office and offers a hybrid work schedule. The role manages attorney projects, communications, legal documents, information governance and records, research, meetings, billing, calendars, travel, expenses, and time entry. It also coordinates and delegates work to support teams, monitors assignments, and provides feedback and mentorship to LSAs. The position requires at least five years of administrative experience supporting upper-level leadership in a corporate or legal environment. A high school diploma or GED is required; a bachelor’s degree in legal studies, business administration, or a related field is preferred. The role is primarily sedentary, with occasional lifting or moving of objects up to 10 pounds, occasional walking and standing, and occasional domestic and international travel. The role is not eligible for immigration sponsorship or support.

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 region’s native language by email and voice.
In-depth knowledge of administrative and legal support processes, procedures, and document types.
Professionalism, discretion, adaptability, initiative, and commitment to continued development; ability to handle confidential information and sensitive legal matters with care and integrity.
Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate complex information clearly and understand others’ needs and concerns.
Excellent time management, organization, attention to detail, prioritization, planning, and multitasking skills in a fast-paced and demanding environment.
Ability to work under pressure, remain productive, and seek assistance from firm resources to ensure accurate and timely work.
Expertise with technology and firm software, including research tools, case management software, accounting software, and production applications such as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel; ability to adapt to application upgrades and use AI-powered tools for document work.
Ability to communicate effectively with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and external audiences; produce high-quality work, respond promptly and professionally, meet deadlines, manage competing priorities, comply with firm policies, and maintain confidentiality.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Manage attorney projects, coordinate with lawyers and administrative teams, and help ensure milestones, deadlines, and tasks are completed efficiently.
Serve as a liaison between attorneys, clients, and internal departments; handle inquiries and relay messages accurately, using independent judgment when responding on an attorney’s behalf.
Build professional relationships, provide direction and constructive feedback, resolve conflicts, and collaborate with people at all levels of the organization.
Delegate assignments to LSAs and AskLegalSupport, monitor progress, communicate with support teams, provide service feedback, and recommend improvements to firm management.
Collaborate with other LEAs and LAAs on complex projects and provide mentorship, support, and professional-development feedback to LSAs.
Draft, proofread, finalize, and review legal documents, correspondence, and presentations for accuracy; provide feedback to support teams on completed work.
Support information governance and records management for client and matter work, including organizing content in approved repositories, following firm policies, supporting matter close-out, and liaising with IG and Records resources.
Conduct research for attorneys and practice groups and compile information for case preparation and executive briefings.
Plan meetings with internal and external parties, prepare agendas and materials, coordinate logistics, and ensure meeting requests are managed accurately and promptly.
Oversee billing matters, approval forms, collaboration correspondence, prebill processing, final bill delivery, and follow-up as requested; serve as an attorney proxy for billing questions or issues.
Manage attorney calendars, schedule meetings, resolve conflicts, organize complex travel itineraries, communicate competing priorities, and ensure expenses and time entry are assigned to AskLegalSupport and processed correctly.