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people are the backbone, heart and soul of our firm. Wherever you are in your
professional journey, DLA Piper is a place you can engage in meaningful work and
grow your career. Let’s see what we can achieve. Together.
Summary
The Legal Executive Assistant (LEA), working in collaboration with and in
support of the firm’s strategic initiatives, supports lawyers by managing the
daily functions of an attorney's practice, allowing them to concentrate on
developing and sustaining their practice. The LEA serves as an executive level
assistant for the attorney, creating connections, delivering critical
information, ensuring meetings and materials are accurate, and serving as a
trusted business partner to help deliver against the priorities of the practice
and clients. The LEA serves as a collaborative partner to Legal Administrative
Assistants (LAA) and Legal Support Assistant (LSA) team members who provide
support to the attorney’s legal team.
This role requires both administrative competence and a thorough understanding
of the procedures, relevant business context of tasks, terminology, and
documents seen in an attorney’s practice. The Legal Executive Assistant plays a
critical role in ensuring the smooth operation of the attorney’s practice area
and representing the Firm in a professional and positive manner.
Location
This position is located in our Philadelphia office and offers a hybrid work
schedule.
Responsibilities
* Provides support and management of the attorney’s projects ensuring deadlines
are met and tasks are completed efficiently. Consults with lawyers and
administrative teams to ensure project milestones are adhered to.
* Serves as a liaison between attorneys, clients, and other internal
departments, handling inquiries and relaying messages accurately. Utilizes
independent judgment and the ability to make sound decisions when responding
on behalf of the attorney.
* Develops and maintains professional relationships to ensure teams work
together efficiently and effectively. Provides clear direction and
constructive feedback on projects and assignments. Builds trust, resolves
conflicts, and collaborates effectively with people at all levels of the
organization.
* Delegates assignments as necessary to LSAs (Legal Support Assistants) and
AskLegalSupport ensuring timely and accurate completion. Monitors progress of
assignments and communicates on behalf of the attorney with support teams to
ensure successful project outcomes. Delivers service feedback and makes
improvement recommendations to firm management teams.
* Collaborates as necessary with other LEAs or LAAs to complete more complex
projects or provide administrative support for attorneys. Provides mentorship
and support to LSAs who assist with projects.
* Provides feedback for the professional development of LSAs who assist the
attorney’s team. Delivers ongoing feedback and mentoring providing
opportunities for continued improvement.
* Drafts, proofreads, and finalizes legal documents, correspondence, and
presentations on behalf of the attorney. Reviews and ensures accuracy of
final work product. Provides feedback to internal support teams on completed
work to improve outcomes for accurate and timely project delivery.
* Oversees the maintenance and organization of electronic and paper filing
systems within the firm’s DMS/repositories. Ensures all work products are
easily accessible and up to date.
* Conducts research on behalf of the attorney and practice group. Compiles
information for case preparation and executive briefings. Consults with
internal support teams to ensure completion of presentations and other
necessary materials.
* Oversees meeting planning and coordinating with internal and external parties
to ensure logistical and other critical details are in place. Prepares
meeting agenda and ensures presentations and other materials needed are
accurately prepared and available. Ensures the attorney and meeting attendees
have support and requests initiated during the meeting are managed in a
timely and accurate manner.
* Oversees billing matters including all approval forms and collaboration
correspondence, ensures prebills are processed by the appropriate team
accurately and timely; serve as a proxy for attorneys to address questions or
issues related to the billing process. Ensures final bills are delivered in a
timely manner and initiate follow-up at the attorney’s request.
* Manages the attorney’s calendar, schedules meetings, resolves conflicts; and
organizes complex travel itineraries. Communicates potential conflicting
priorities to the attorney and offers solutions. Ensures the attorney’s
expenses and time entry are assigned to AskLegalSupport and are processed
correctly in a timely manner.
Desired Skills
The ability to communicate effectively in the native language of the region via
e-mail or via voice is essential. Takes initiative to enhance existing and learn
additional skills. Must demonstrate adaptability and discretion with a
commitment to continual development. Exhibits the utmost professionalism and
discretion. Privy to confidential information and sensitive legal matters,
making it imperative that they oversee all communications and documents with
care and integrity. Has proven in-depth knowledge of processes, procedures, and
types of documents to enable the highest level of administrative and legal
support. Possesses the ability to offer solutions and assists with requests and
challenges. Showcases effective communication and people skills to interact with
lawyers, clients, business professionals and firm support teams. Proven ability
to convey complex information clearly and concisely, both in writing and
verbally. Be adept at listening and understand the needs and concerns of others.
Is a process-driven professional with excellent time management, and able to
prioritize tasks and multitask efficiently in a fast-paced setting. Pay
attention to minute details and take initiative on planning. Works well under
pressure and able to stay positive and productive. Capable of working
effectively in a demanding environment. Shows the ability to request assistance
from firm resources to ensure the accurate and timely completion and delivery of
work product.
Expert experience with technology and Firm software is essential. Should be
adept at using research tools, case management software, accounting software,
and possess proficiency in the Firm’s standard production applications including
Word, PowerPoint, and Excel as well as the third-party programs. Skilled in the
ability to adapt to application upgrades and the use of AI-Powered Tools for
document production, review, and case research. Shows flexibility and
willingness to learn new skills and adapt to evolving needs of the attorney’s
practice. Demonstrate proficiency in virtual firm collaboration tools such as
Zoom and Teams to communicate with internal and external resources on behalf of
the attorney’s practice.
Minimum Education
* High School Diploma or GED.
Preferred Education
* Bachelor’s degree in legal studies, business administration, or a related
field.
Minimum Years of Experience
* 5 years’ experience in an administrative role within a corporate or legal
environment providing support to upper-level leadership.
Essential Job Expectations
While the specific job requirements of a DLA Piper position may vary depending
upon scope of the job and area of specialty, there are certain universal
requirements that are expected of all DLA Piper employees, which include but are
not limited to:
* Effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, with clients, lawyers,
business professionals, and third parties.
* Produce deliverables, answer phone calls, and reply to correspondence in an
efficient and responsive manner.
* Provide timely, accurate, and quality work product.
* Successfully meet deadlines, expectations, and perform work duties as
required.
* Foster positive work relationships.
* Comply with all firm policies and practices.
* Engage in both physical and sedentary activity, such as (a) working at a
computer for extended periods of time, including on-screen reading and
typing; (b) participating in digital/virtual conference calls; (c)
participating in meetings as needed.
* Ability to work under pressure and manage competing demands in a fast-paced
environment.
* Perform all other duties, tasks or projects as assigned.
Our employees are expected to embrace and uphold our firm values as a part of
our DLA Piper culture. We are committed to excellence in how we represent our
clients and develop our people.
Physical Demands
Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a
negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull
or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves
sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are
required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.
Work Environment
The individual selected for this position may have the opportunity for a hybrid
work arrangement comprised of remote and in-office work, the requirement for
which will be determined in coordination with the hiring manager or supervisor
and may be modified in the firm’s discretion in the future.
Disclaimer
The purpose of this job description is to provide a concise statement of the
work elements and to organize and present the information in a standardized way.
It is not intended to describe all the elements of the work that may be
performed by every individual in this classification, nor should it serve as the
sole criteria for personnel decisions and actions. The job duties, requirements,
and expectations for this position may be modified at the Firm’s discretion at
any time. This job description does not change the at-will nature of
employment.
Application Process
Applicants must apply directly online instead of sending application materials
via email.
Accommodation
Reasonable accommodations may be made upon request to permit individuals with a
disability to perform the essential functions and responsibilities of the
position or to participate in the job selection process. If you have a request
for an accommodation during the application process, please contact
careers@us.dlapiper.com [careers@us.dlapiper.com].
Agency applications will not be considered.
No immigration sponsorship is available for this position.
Applicants who are not based in the jurisdiction in which this position is
posted and who apply for this role are doing so voluntarily and are not eligible
for relocation assistance. Any relocation benefits, if any, are provided only
where a relocation is required at the firm’s direction and in accordance
with applicable policy and law.
#LI-KP1
#LI-Hybrid
DLA Piper is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will
receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion,
sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status
as a protected veteran. Job applicant poster viewing center
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