Legal Practice Assistant

Morrison & Foerster, LLP•Washington, DC

About The Position

The Legal Practice Assistant provides comprehensive administrative support to attorneys and paralegals in a fast-paced legal environment, maintaining professionalism, organization, and strong client service. The position supports administrative coordination, including document production, calendaring, travel arrangements, expense management, time entry and reporting, billing, document filing, and client meeting logistics. It also handles confidential information and records work tasks and time in the firm-required application. The role works proactively to reduce attorneys’ administrative burdens, communicates professionally with clients, external counsel, and vendors, and provides backup support to department colleagues. It may contribute to departmental projects, operational improvements, strategic initiatives, and other special projects. Litigation support may include trial preparation, case document management, court filing support, and deposition coordination. Transaction support includes formatting and filing legal documents and, for the Boston Financial Transactions Group, assisting with closings, locating transaction documents, preparing closing checklists, handling search-result PDFs and extraction requests, identifying closing copies, and creating client-facing closing folders using Kiteworks.

Requirements

At least 2 years of experience in a law firm or professional services environment.
Experience managing administrative tasks, legal documents, and scheduling.
Strong communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively across organizational levels and build internal and external client relationships.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage large quantities of paper and electronic data.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, and in document management systems.
High accuracy, attention to detail, and excellent proofreading skills.
Ability to collaborate with diverse colleagues at all organizational levels and work effectively as part of a team.
Reliability, dependability, and motivation to respond to requests promptly.
Ability to multitask, prioritize work, and meet deadlines.
Ability to work under pressure and complete assignments accurately and on time.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in business, finance, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Create, revise, format, compare, proofread, and convert legal documents, spreadsheets, and presentations using firm software.
Manage attorney calendars and schedule meetings.
Book domestic and international travel through designated providers, considering attorney preferences, cost guidelines, and itinerary efficiency.
Prepare expense reimbursements, reconcile travel expenses, arrange invoice payments, and prepare check requests.
Enter attorney-provided time notes, edit and proofread entries, ensure compliance with matter codes and billing guidelines, and collaborate with attorneys to submit time promptly and daily.
Apply requested time-note changes in billing software, edit narratives, and transfer entries.
Maintain organized paper and electronic client and matter files.
Support client meetings by arranging conference rooms, catering, and technology, and sending invitations on attorneys’ behalf when needed.
Handle confidential information discreetly and follow firm policies and procedures.
Anticipate attorneys’ administrative needs and provide proactive, efficient support.
Communicate professionally with clients, external counsel, and vendors.
Provide backup support, volunteer for overflow assignments when time permits, and contribute to teamwork and departmental projects.
Record work tasks and time daily using the firm-required application.
Participate in special projects and provide additional support as needed.
Coordinate trial binders, depositions, exhibits, court reporters, opposing counsel, and trial logistics, including witness files, as needed.
Assist with matters from inception through trial or resolution, including organizing, reviewing, and producing case documents.
Assist with court filings and assemble exhibits and appendices.
Book depositions and coordinate arrangements with court reporters; assist with pre-deposition logistics and prepare witness files, exhibits, notices, and subpoenas.
Format, edit, and file transaction documents, including closing binders, exhibits, and correspondence.
Assist with and finalize closings for the Boston Financial Transactions Group, prioritizing closings over other work requests.
Locate deal-specific documents in the document management system and prepare draft Closing Document Checklists.
Locate or create transaction-specific folders in internal and external shared drives.
Edit PDFs to extract and save individual UCC, tax, and judgment lien search results.
Prepare client-related extraction requests in time for checklist preparation.
Identify closing copies and profiles according to the Closing Document Checklist.
Create closing zip folders for emailing to clients using Kiteworks.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package available starting on the first day.
Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage options.
Parental leave and family benefits, including adoption and fertility treatment options and backup child and elder care.
Global wellness program, including free access to Talkspace and Calm apps.
Annual community service day.
Birthday holiday.
Annual education reimbursement.
Dedicated Talent Development team.
Competitive annual profit-sharing contribution.
Discretionary bonus may be available.
Overtime compensation as applicable.
Retirement contributions.
Paid holidays and PTO.