Legal Practice Specialist - Litigation

MWE•Dallas, TX

About The Position

Build your big career with the firm that does Big Law, Better. McDermott Will & Schulte is a leading global law firm that brings together more than 1,750 lawyers and 1,400 business professionals. We celebrate excellence, collaboration, and community and have been recognized as a top workplace by USA Today, Fortune, The American Lawyer, Vault and others. We are also certified by Great Place to Work. At McDermott, we don’t just invest in your future, we accelerate your career – wherever it may lead. That includes supporting you both in and outside of the office. With us, you’ll find: A firm where everyone belongs: Our award-winning culture prioritizes warmth and authenticity — we encourage you to be yourself! Enthusiasm for all perspectives: We’re smarter and stronger when everyone has a voice and a seat at the table. We welcome unique viewpoints and ideas, and we make opportunities for you and your career to thrive. Support to feel your best and do your best: Wellness is integral to building a successful career and a rich life. That’s why our benefits program supports your physical, emotional, mental, and financial health, with an emphasis on work-life balance. Real rewards for real work: We offer generous compensation packages that recognize hard work and excellence. Job Description: Job Summary: The Legal Practice Specialist performs a variety of administrative support tasks for the assigned attorneys within the Litigation Practice Group. This role performs solutions-focused litigation support, including managing case data, coordinating multi-jurisdictional filings, supporting trial preparation and proceedings, and facilitating communication across teams. The Legal Practice Specialist works under general supervision and relies on instruction and guidelines to perform the essential functions of the job. The qualified candidate must have substantive knowledge and understanding of General Litigation in a mid to large size law firm or corporation, demonstrating the very highest level of substantive knowledge and understanding of their practice area. This includes preparing documents, filing documents in state and federal courts, acting as custodian of any and all documents, media and databases relevant to active cases, preparing for trials in federal court, and managing trial support. Candidate must have a working knowledge of and sufficient experience with a range of litigation support applications in addition to advanced working knowledge of current technology relevant to the practice area, including but not limited to: PACER, CM/ECF, Westlaw, Lexis. Candidate must be solutions oriented, display good judgment, and meet any challenge with maturity and a ‘can do’ attitude while anticipating issues that may arise. The successful candidate must have excellent analytical and organizational abilities, creativity, and initiative. The candidate must maintain high work quality while under pressure of competing deadlines and priorities. Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to interact effectively with staff, attorneys, clients, courts, and vendors are essential.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or related legal work experience
At least five (5) years of litigation experience
Proficient knowledge of PACER and CM/ECF
Proficient knowledge of court rules and civil procedures in State and Federal jurisdictions and electronic filing
Proficient knowledge of trial procedures including managing databases, filing in various jurisdictions, and other aspects of trial preparation
Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word)
Strong written and verbal communication skills; professional demeanor and presentation
Strong client service skills with high-level standards of excellence in work product to exceed client and Firm expectations
Strong organizational skills, time management skills, and attention to detail
Ability to work under tight deadlines and prioritize responsibilities
Strong problem-solving skills with ability to take initiative and use good judgment and excellent follow-up skills
Ability to maintain and handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion and diplomacy
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment

Responsibilities

Support attorneys in all aspects of trial preparation, including handling logistics and support at trial, organizing exhibits and preparing hearing binders as necessary, and providing on-site assistance at trial
Draft, edit, proofread, and redline documents (agreements, pleadings, spreadsheets, and presentations) and correspondence ensuring accuracy, grammar and formatting
Proactively manage monthly client billing by reviewing and editing prebills; liaise with billing department to ensure compliance with client billing guidelines and bills are sent timely
Oversee attorney expense reports and vendor invoices through to completion including, ensuring complete documentation is provided, prompt submission, and necessary follow-up
Manage attorney Outlook email and calendar when requested to include providing reminders of responses needed and impending deadlines and obligations
Organize and maintain attorney contacts and calendars, travel logistics, including scheduling flights, hotel, etc.
Input, review, edit, and revise attorney time entries to ensure accuracy and timely submission
Coordinate meeting logistics, including scheduling and reserving conference rooms; requesting equipment and food and beverage orders; preparing presentation materials; and welcoming visitors
Establish and maintain paper and electronic files in compliance with current Firm policies utilizing the Firm’s Document Management System
Manage client intake process, including generating client conflict inquiries, opening new matters and preparing engagement letters
Maintain contact information and activities with clients and prospective clients in our CRM system
Effectively leverage time by delegating administrative tasks to support team
Proactively remind attorneys of impending deadlines and obligations
Pull and organize docket filings & monitor dockets for relevant pleadings and conducting docket searches
Communicate with the court regarding scheduling hearings and other administrative matters
Prepare and E-file documents with federal and state courts, arbitration and dispute resolution bodies, and government agencies
Manage large portfolio of cases and track deadlines
Provide administrative trial support, including maintaining exhibit lists and filing court documents