Legal Administrative Assistant

Summary The Legal Administrative Assistant (LAA), working in collaboration with and in support of the firm’s strategic initiatives, provides a wide range of administrative and clerical support to attorneys and legal teams. This role is essential in ensuring the smooth operation of the firm’s administrative functions and requires a high level of organization, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously. This position will collaborate regularly with Legal Support Assistants (LSAs), Legal Executive Assistants (LEAs), and attorneys on various tasks and assignments, ensuring work is properly allocated and completed on time. The LAA role requires a high level of flexibility and willingness to work in a fast‑paced environment where multiple projects may have to be prioritized for the firm’s attorneys. Projects will often require high‑level technical skills with Microsoft Office programs or various types of legal software commonly seen in law firms. Location This position is located in our New York office and offers a hybrid work schedule. Responsibilities Provides practice‑specific support to multiple associates, partners, and other attorneys, leveraging knowledge about unique practice tasks, requirements, and functions and can prioritize work accordingly. Drafts, edits, and proofreads legal documents, communications, files, or presentations to ensure accuracy. Oversees the maintenance and organization of electronic and paper filing systems within the firm’s DMS/repositories, ensuring all work products are easily accessible and up to date. Collaborates with other LAAs or LEAs to complete more complex projects or provide administrative support for any assigned attorneys. Provides mentorship, guidance, and delegation to LSAs who assist with projects as appropriate. Provides key status updates on projects to any assigned attorneys, offering or delegating direct‑action support in the event of escalation. Organizes and monitors assignments within the firm’s workflow tool, ensuring that administrative tasks are properly allocated and completed on time, including but not limited to time entry and expense reimbursements. Oversees billing matters including all approval forms and collaboration correspondence, ensures prebills are processed by the appropriate team accurately and timely; serves as a proxy attorney to address questions or issues related to the billing process. Ensures final bills are delivered in a timely manner and initiates follow‑up at the attorney’s request. Serves as a trusted advisor for associates, partners, or other attorneys. Handles confidential or sensitive matters using discretion and promotes professionalism and exceptional service in all interactions with attorneys, clients, and other DLA Piper business professionals. 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. Prior experience working with Microsoft Office products or legal software such as iManage, Aderant, DocXTools, Innova, etc. Ability to adapt to application upgrades and the use of AI‑Powered Tools for document production, review, and case research. Flexibility and willingness to learn new skills and adapt to evolving needs of the attorney’s practice. Ability to work within a fast‑paced environment and ensure that all deliverables and work products adhere to firm best practices, including willingness to receive constructive feedback from attorneys and managers. Open to collaborating with and supporting Legal Support Assistants (LSAs) as appropriate. Works well under pressure and stays positive and productive. General familiarity with legal terminology, documentation, and best practices for law firms or similar settings. Strong attention to detail and excellent problem‑solving skills enabling quick decisions. Prior experience in workflow‑management related roles. Proficiency in virtual firm collaboration tools such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams to communicate with internal and external resources on behalf of the attorney’s practice. Education Minimum: High School Diploma or GED. Preferred: Bachelor’s Degree in legal studies, business administration, or a related field. Minimum Experience 2 years’ experience working in a legal setting under the supervision of a licensed attorney or office administrator, or within a similar role. Essential Job Expectations 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 working at a computer for extended periods of time, including on‑screen reading and typing; participating in digital/virtual conference calls; 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. The employees are expected to embrace and uphold the firm values as part of its culture. 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. Compensation The firm’s expected hiring range for this position is $39.20 – $50.96 per hour depending on the candidate’s geographic market location. Non‑exempt positions will be paid on an hourly basis and paid overtime in accordance with applicable laws. The compensation offered for employment will also be dependent on other factors including the candidate’s experience, skills, educational and professional background, and overall qualifications. Benefits We offer a comprehensive package of benefits, including medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k). Equal Employment Opportunity 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr DLA Piper LLP (US)