Legal Practice Assistant
About The Position
Vedder's Chicago office is seeking a Legal Practice Assistant. The Legal Practice Assistant provides support to transactional attorneys and paralegals in the firm’s Finance & Transactions practice group resulting in a high level of client service; document processing and editing; managing extensive and detailed travel arrangements; high volume processing of new business intake; preparing and submitting attorney expenses; inputting attorney time entries; handling extensive and intricate client billing; responding to client inquiries via phone and email; arranging meetings and conferences for internal groups and related to business development activities; coordinating calendars; monitoring incoming mail, faxes and e-mails; maintaining and updating client files and other tasks.
Requirements
- Knowledge of corporate transaction legal practice, including closing processes
- Knowledge of legal terminology
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to deal courteously and effectively with others
- Ability to read, interpret and follow instructions
- Ability to work core business hours with flexibility for overtime, as required
- Personable, professional, detailed-oriented and a problem solver
- Able to prioritize tasks in a high-pressure environment
- Strong organizational skills combined with the ability to work independently and be resourceful with problem solving
- Minimum of two (2) years of legal secretarial experience in a law firm required
- Position also requires the ability to work under pressure to meet strict deadlines
- Proficient in Word
- Proficient in Adobe
- Proficient in Excel
Nice To Haves
- Experience as an Executive Assistant a plus
Responsibilities
- Prepare and revise, format and finalize a wide variety of legal documents
- Assist attorneys with new client applications and conflict checks
- Accurately enter attorney time into timekeeping system to meet daily/weekly deadlines
- Establish and maintain paper and electronic client and administrative files in compliance with current Firm policies
- Interact on a daily basis with departments within the Firm to facilitate highest possible legal support
- Prepare and submit expense reports
- Work closely with Accounting Department staff to prepare client billings and receivables to meet client billing format and reporting requirements
- Proficiency with making and managing travel arrangements with assistance of travel agency to ensure all aspects of travel are made accurately and communicated effectively for extensive travel both in the U.S. and abroad (i.e., air, hotel, car, train, meeting rooms, travel memberships accounts and the like)
- Answer, screen and place phone calls to clients and other business associates and respond to client inquiries
- Open, review and route mail as directed
- Provide assistance to other Legal Practice Assistants within Firm whenever necessary to meet Firm and client needs
Benefits
- Competitive Salary
- Discretionary annual bonus program
- Discretionary profit sharing
- 401(k) matching
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans
- Optional health savings accounts
- Optional flexible spending accounts
- Firm-paid Life benefits
- Firm-paid Disability benefits
- Wellness programs
- Competitive time off package including vacation days, paid holidays, sick time and personal days
- Opportunities for continuous learning and career growth through firm provided training programs
- Anniversary and Vedder Praise Programs
- Hybrid work model
- Family-friendly policies
- Employee discount program
- Pre-tax commuter benefits
- Back up child & elder care
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Fitness center discounts
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
