Practice Assistant

Position Summary

Our Detroit office, located in Birmingham, MI, is seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Practice Assistant to join our growing firm. This position provides comprehensive secretarial and administrative support to multiple attorneys and assists in delivering high-quality legal services to clients.

Working under the direction of assigned attorneys and with general supervision, the Practice Assistant performs complex and specialized administrative, clerical, and legal support functions. The successful candidate will work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment, serve as the primary support for assigned attorneys, and provide backup assistance to other attorneys as needed.


Essential Functions

Document Preparation

• Prepare and process correspondence, memoranda, pleadings, and complex legal documents using word-processing and document-management software.
• Draft routine correspondence, including cover letters and related documents.
• Proofread documents for formatting, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and overall accuracy.
• Make revisions and redline documents as directed.
• Prepare and finalize documents for electronic filing in accordance with applicable requirements.

Communications

• Review, route, and distribute incoming mail, faxes, and other communications.
• Prepare outgoing mail, including coordinating specialized delivery or messenger services when necessary.
• Ensure all required attachments, exhibits, and enclosures are included with outgoing correspondence.

Calendar/Docket Management

• Maintain and update calendars for assigned attorneys, including meetings, appointments, deadlines, due dates, and client-related activities.

File Management

• Maintain paper and electronic client files in accordance with Firm policies and procedures.
• Organize and maintain chronological and administrative files for assigned attorneys.

General Administrative Support

• Process attorney expense reports and vendor invoices.
• Process new-matter documentation.
• Receive, greet, and direct clients and visitors professionally.
• Coordinate travel arrangements, prepare itineraries, and complete travel expense reports.
• Schedule meetings and arrange conference rooms, meals, and other meeting logistics.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with clients, attorneys, and Firm personnel.
• Anticipate the business needs of assigned attorneys, plan proactively, and consistently meet deadlines.

Requirements

• A minimum of four years of experience as a practice assistant, legal secretary, or in a comparable legal administrative role.
• Working knowledge of legal terminology, legal documents, and legal processes.
• Typing proficiency of at least 70 words per minute with a high degree of accuracy.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, document-management systems, e-filing platforms, and database software.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong command of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and professional correspondence.
• Exceptional proofreading abilities and meticulous attention to detail.
• Superior organizational skills, including experience with file management, calendaring, and document review.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Reliable, consistent, and predictable attendance.

Please note: Ogletree Deakins is not working with outside recruiters for this position.


Benefits

Ogletree Deakins offers a comprehensive benefits package for staff, including:

• Paid Time Off and Paid Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• 401(k) plan with employer matching
• Profit Sharing
• Affordable medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage
• Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program

Contact Information

If you have questions, please e-mail Megan Becker at View email address on click.appcast.io with "Practice Assistant - Detroit" in the subject line. Please note, applications submitted via e-mail will not be considered.


Firm Overview

Ogletree Deakins is one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management in all types of employment-related legal matters. Best Law Firms® has named Ogletree Deakins a "Law Firm of the Year" for 14 consecutive years. In the 2025 edition, the publication named Ogletree Deakins its "Law Firm of the Year" in the Litigation - Labor and Employment category. Ogletree Deakins has more than 1,100 attorneys located in 60 offices across the United States and in Europe, Canada, and Mexico. The firm represents a diverse range of clients, including many of the Fortune 50 companies in the U.S.

We are fully committed to the importance of diversity within the legal profession, as well as all workplace environments.

Equal Opportunity Employer.