Legal Practice Assistant

Perkins Coie LLP is searching for a Litigation Legal Practice Assistant III to provide highly varied and complex administrative support, with minimal supervision, to designated attorneys, other Legal Practice Assistants, paralegals, and the firm generally. In addition, as a member of Perkins Coie’s professional support staff team, this position is responsible for promoting and maintaining the goodwill and reputation of the firm. In this capacity, the Legal Practice Assistant III is expected to maintain the highest level of professional conduct and confidentiality.

This position requires standard business hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. PST.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

These essential functions are primary job duties that incumbents must be able to perform unassisted or with some reasonable accommodation.

• Proactively maintain overview of timekeepers’ workload and caseload; anticipate next steps and implement follow-up procedures to ensure each task is appropriately tracked and completed.

• Create, edit, revise, redline, and/or proofread documents from dictation, handwritten, typed, and/or electronic copy.

• Maintain timekeepers’ calendars of meetings and business trips, using current software applications, and apprise them of responsibilities in advance of commitment.

• File paper and electronic documents with appropriate courts and agencies and ensure proper procedures are followed and deadlines are met.

• Receive, screen, and transmit telephone and conference calls in a professional manner and take accurate telephone messages for timekeepers, clients, and staff as required.

• Process and route incoming mail, faxes, and electronic communications upon receipt.

• Prepare outgoing mail (including boxes/packages for shipment) for prompt delivery, arranging for messenger services as needed to meet deadlines.

• Coordinate with docketing specialist, including review of docketing reports for accuracy of dates, to ensure court or agency documents/actions for legal proceedings meet firm docketing requirements.

• Coordinate preliminary conflicts checks with Professional Standards to ensure attorney and firm ability to represent requesting party.

• Prepare new client/matter intake forms and engagement letter.

• Assist with proofreading, spellchecking, and releasing of daily time entry in accordance with firm or department procedures.

• Prepare accounting documents as required, including check requests, expense and travel reimbursement requests, and trust documents.

• Coordinate client/attorney/administrative conferences, meetings, and appointments for timekeepers and clients, including conference room and visitor office scheduling, meals, preparation of materials, and arrangement with a third party if needed (e.g., court reporter/videographer).

• Coordinate travel arrangements, securing air, hotel, and car plans for timekeepers.

• Set up and maintain administrative and client files; file electronic and/or paper documents and information promptly and accurately. Maintain file organization and updated indices (office-dependent).

• Perform copying, scanning, and faxing tasks.

• Prepare notebooks as required.

• Assume responsibility for miscellaneous tasks and special projects as required.

• Conduct internet research as directed by timekeepers.

• Become Perkins Certified Level LPA-3.

• Be familiar with and adhere to all firm policies.

• Be present at work during regularly scheduled working hours and as needed in the position, arrive at work on time, and use time wisely during the workday.

• Keep supervisor informed of activities and of any significant problems and/or all personal schedule changes; provide timely and accurate timecards regarding hours worked and days missed.

• Coordinate absences within workgroups; proactively provide assistance to timekeepers in the absence of the regular Legal Practice Assistant, and, when time permits, to other Legal Practice Assistants.

• Adhere to the principles of client and firm confidentiality, as outlined in the confidentiality agreement signed at the time of hire.

• Maintain a clean and uncluttered work area, being sure that confidential materials and valuable items are secure.

SPECIFIC SKILLS PREFERRED

• Ability to accurately type 75 words per minute, communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and establish effective working relationships throughout operational groups.

• Strong command of the English language including excellent spelling, grammar, punctuation, form and style.

• Good knowledge of personal computer and system utilities or other comparable document production software.

• Familiarity with basic office equipment.

• Excellent organizational skills for prioritizing workload.

• Ability to compose correspondence.

• Solid knowledge of library operations and records storage procedures for retrieving materials and files for case work.

• Knowledge of records management.

• Working knowledge of state and federal courts and administrative agency rules, procedures, and deadlines.

• Familiarity with legal terminology and procedures pertinent to the area of assignment.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Requires a high school diploma or equivalent

• Previous law firm experience of seven or more years

At Perkins Coie, we look for self-motivated individuals dedicated to providing value and superior service and who have a high degree of integrity and enthusiasm for their work. We have created a company culture based on collaboration, devotion to serving our clients, and mutual respect. Perkins Coie is committed to advancing diversity and inclusion both within the firm and throughout our collective communities. Work with one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For and receive great health insurance, tuition reimbursement, and paid sabbaticals. 

This position is eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, 401(k) plan, medical, dental, and vision insurance, accrued paid time off plan starting at 20 days annually, personal medical and parental leave, up to 10 paid holidays, and family care benefits. More information regarding benefits and programs may be found here.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records that reside in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco counties will be considered for employment in accordance with the applicable Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act.

This position may be filled in the following location(s). The listed compensation range reflects the typical pay for this role, though it is rare for new hires to receive an offer at the top of the range. Actual compensation may vary depending on experience, skills, market conditions, and internal equity. 

San Francisco Bay Area compensation range: $83,350 to $150,030 annually 

Colorado compensation range: $59,950 to $107,910 annually 

Los Angeles compensation range: $75,890 to $136,600 annually 

San Diego compensation range: $72,730 to $130,900 annually 

Washington state compensation range: $63,240 to $113,830 annually