Legal Assistant

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world. At Berkeley, the best careers are built on a foundation of continuous learning and growth. We actively support professional development by providing all full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours of paid time per year and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups. We invite applicants who are inspired by our Principles of Community and who are eager to be part of our exciting Strategic Plan, which charts Berkeley's next era of excellence. Learn more about some of our accomplishments at Points of Pride. Departmental Overview The Faculty Support Unit (FSU) administrative expert provides comprehensive support to Law School faculty for teaching, research, and pro bono activities. Position Summary The Legal Assistant provides administrative assistance to multiple law professors, performing a broad range of administrative responsibilities including legal word processing, editing, research, special events coordination, course material compilation, and financial administration. This position establishes methods for analyzing, prioritizing, organizing, and completing detailed, complex administrative tasks and conducts research to provide analyses and solutions to recurring or unusual administrative problems. The Legal Assistant applies extensive knowledge of University administrative policies and procedures in addition to principles and practices of the legal field. Application Review Date The First Review Date for this job is: July 30, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date. Responsibilities Course Material Compilation and Preparation - 20% Research, locate, organize, and prepare legal teaching materials for faculty. Determine quantity and coordinate production of class readers and/or other class materials with outside vendor as necessary. Proactively track and monitor readers and other class materials and resolve any production delays. Distribute materials as required. Fiscal and Budget Administration - 20% Track and monitor one or more funds and/or complex contracts and grants utilizing multiple funding sources, as required. On behalf of faculty, may arrange travel and compile information and receipts for reimbursements - including travel, meals, special orders, etc. - in accordance with Law School and campus policies and procedures. Coordinate with Business Office staff to complete complex and/or high volume purchasing activities using University and/or departmental protocol. Research and respond to needs for supplies and specialized equipment. Select vendors and/or substitute vendors and determine acceptable pricing as required. Legal/Factual Research and Summary Projects - 20% Perform directed legal research, either in Law Library or using on-line legal research services (LexisNexis, Westlaw or other), for faculty teaching, research, and publication. Perform literature, title, and author search and cite checking. Ensure conformity with Uniform System of Citation as applicable. Prepare summary factual information as required using Excel or related software. Word Processing, Editing, and Document Creation - 15% Input and edit complex legal research documents, bibliographies, outlines, class materials, correspondence, and exams from handwritten, dictated, typed, or recorded sources. Prepare documents in accordance with the author, Law School, or publishers format. Create indexes, table of contents, spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations as requested by faculty. Prepare judicial clerkship letters in accordance with Law School policies and procedures. Prepare complex mail merges to produce form letters, envelopes and mailing labels. Ensure that final documents are spell‑checked and proofread for grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and formatting. Archive and delete documents per campus policy. Inform supervisor of problems requiring assistance. Exam Administration and Proctoring - 10% Prepare exam materials and maintain confidentiality of content. Proctor exams in accordance with Law School policies. Assist assigned faculty in entering student grades online in adherence to FERPA laws. Special Event Coordination - 10% Plan events as required; communicate with speakers regarding event logistics and/or exhibitors when applicable; collaborate with staff, Building Services and Media Services staff as necessary; arrange catering services; coordinate with graphic artist and printer to develop conference materials; market the conference; facilitate payment and/or reimbursement of hotel and/or vendors; prepare thank‑you letters for speakers, and assorted follow‑up tasks. Draft correspondence and schedule appointments, as required. Act as liaison between students and professors, as necessary. Schedule meetings, reserve rooms, and prepare and distribute materials for meetings. Training and Development - 5% Attend FSU meetings to stay informed and provide high level customer service and information to faculty. Proficiently use Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat, and the Google productivity suite to complete work and maintain proficiency with software version updates. Enroll, attend, and participate in employee development and staff training workshops, conferences, courses, forums, etc., to gain new knowledge, skills, and understanding as well as to broaden own technical expertise. Assist in recruitment, hiring, and training of new employees. Support other members of FSU and unassigned faculty as necessary. Perform other duties within the scope of this classification as assigned. Required Qualifications Minimum of 6 months administrative work experience in a fast‑paced environment. Broad knowledge of office environments and executive administrative support needs, with the ability to provide accurate executive‑level support in a fast‑paced environment. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Demonstrated ability to collaborate and work effectively with individuals and groups from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Demonstrated commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment that promotes collaboration and mutual respect among all members of the UC Berkeley community and its stakeholders. Must demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to engage with and understand individuals from varied academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender, and ethnic backgrounds. Excellent computer skills with the ability to quickly learn to use new software and campus‑specific systems. Must either be proficient, or be able to become proficient very quickly, using the Microsoft Office suite and the Google productivity suite and/or the ability to learn. Excellent organizational and time management skills, including demonstrated strong attention to detail, ability to prioritize, exercise initiative, perseverance and sound judgment while effectively executing numerous projects in a high‑pressure, fast‑paced environment. Excellent analytical skills and the ability to resolve complex problems and discrepancies creatively, while staying within policies. Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment and establish and maintain effective working relationships. Ability to treat sensitive matters with discretion and tact, to maintain confidentiality, and adhere to FERPA regulations and/or the ability to learn. Strong attention to detail. Preferred Qualifications The ability to be forward‑thinking and anticipate problems and solutions is highly desired. Knowledge and experience working with high‑level executives and/or practicing lawyers. Knowledge of basic legal terminology through experience in legal settings or in legal studies is desirable. Experience with University of California campus‑specific software and systems, and/or the ability to learn is a plus. Education / Training High school diploma or equivalent experience. Salary & Benefits For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website. Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The budgeted hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $30.58 - $35.85, Step 4 - 8. This is a non‑exempt, bi‑weekly paid position. This is a full‑time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits. How to Apply To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter. Other Information This recruitment has 2 openings. This position is eligible for up to 1 day/week of remote work within the United States. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs and are subject to change. This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H‑1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee. This position is governed by the terms and conditions in the agreement for the Clerical & Allied Services Unit (CX) between the University of California and Teamsters Local 2010. The current bargaining agreement manual can be found at: Conviction History Background This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check. Misconduct As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct: UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy UC Anti-Discrimination Policy Abusive Conduct in the Workplace Equal Employment Opportunity The University of California 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, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law. #J-18808-Ljbffr