Legal Assistant (Business & Tax)

Description

This is an exciting opportunity to work for one of the top law firms in the U.S.! Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is looking for an Legal Assistant (Business and Tax) to join our team in our Portland office.


We offer a hybrid work engagement with two days of remote work, and three days in-office.


This position is responsible for providing legal secretarial/administrative support to partners and associates in the Business & Tax practice group. Focus on client billing, new matter intake, revising contracts, file maintenance, client contact, coordinating schedules, making travel arrangements and providing secretarial and administrative assistance as needed. This is an opportunity to support a high energy practice group, and the ideal candidate is a strong organizer and communicator, while remaining professional, efficient and courteous with clients, firm members and other business contacts.

At Davis Wright Tremaine, you will find challenging assignments, opportunities for professional growth and community involvement, and a culture of inclusion. DWT fosters inclusiveness and authenticity. Regardless of position, everyone here has a voice and the support is unparalleled.

On a typical day you will:

• Work with attorneys to prioritize, organize and relieve them of administrative tasks
• Draft, type, proofread and edit correspondence and documents (e.g., contracts, agreements and other legal documents) under time sensitive deadlines
• Maintain correspondence and other legal documents, both paper form and in electronic format (through NetDocs document management system)
• Maintain up-to-date forms, including collaboration with other departments on templates
• Run conflicts checks; manage client intake and open new client and matter files
• Schedule appointments and maintain calendars; anticipate conflicts and proactively manage schedule changes; and set up conference/video calls
• Enter attorney time, process and review monthly prebills and invoices. High focus on client billing including primary liaison for attorney with the Accounting Department as it relates to client billing
• Prepare, submit and track expense reimbursement reports and third-check requests
• Make travel arrangements
• Maintain and track continuing legal education (CLE) records for attorneys
• Schedule messenger, overnight delivery or courier services as needed
• Delegate to other parties or escalate to attorney for action as appropriate
• Respond to attorney/client needs with a sense of urgency, ensuring resolution with appropriate follow-up, (e.g., via telephone, e-mail and in person)
• Take initiative, with attorneys' permission, to review and save e-mail

• Client Relations, Service and Contact
  • Act as intermediary with clients, responding to requests with a high level of written and verbal communication
  • Take initiative to understand attorneys' client service needs, including identifying opportunities to contribute to client relationship success
  • Set up and manage data rooms for transactions
  • Identify and organize documents for closings of complex financing or acquisition transactions
  • Assist with transaction closings, including monitoring checklists, organizing signature packets, and producing closing transcripts
  • File relevant documents in client minute books and maintaining equity ownership information
• Collaborate with team members
  • Invest in mentoring Administrative Legal Assistants and others
  • Utilize resources (administrative staff, practice management, finance department, copy center and services, colleagues, and office management)
  • Assign appropriate tasks to data processing, file room and other support staff. Follow up on status of all projects to ensure timely completion
  • Communicate clearly with all appropriate team members on project status
  • Assist fellow legal assistants and additional attorneys as priorities dictate

Join us if you have:

• 3+ years' experience as a legal assistant or executive assistant required; familiarity with law firm billing processes is a plus
• GED or High School Diploma
• Ability to read and write English
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, with strong word processing and computer skills. Experience with MS365 a plus. Proofreading, NetDocs, Adobe/Kofax, DocuSign, Excel and PowerPoint skills desired.
• Ability to demonstrate flexibility with competing priorities in a face paced environment
• Demonstrate expertise in department-specific topics, procedures and software, (e.g., Aderant Billing, new matter intake and conflicts procedures)
• Demonstrate ability to type 75 wpm on word processing equipment with a high degree of accuracy and excellent grammar, spelling and proofreading skills
• Exceptional organizational skills required; ability to multi-task, prioritize tasks, work under pressure and meet conflicting deadlines
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate with finesse, use tact, diplomacy and discretion with firm contacts and clients
• Willing to work in a team-oriented, service environment; display willingness to share firm and technical knowledge with others
• Demonstrate initiative to learn new skills that will contribute to enhanced performance of their role
• Ability to pay close attention to detail and be highly organized and accurate
• Strong time management skills
• A highly professional demeanor and appearance - adhere to dress code
• Firm commitment to providing customer service excellence

Who We Are

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is an AmLaw 100 law firm with 9 offices nationwide. We are relentlessly committed to client service and look for candidates who share that commitment. At DWT, client service means having empathy for each client's and each lawyer's work and personal pressures, business objectives, and legal needs; anticipating their needs; and having the capabilities and commitment to deliver what matters most to them.

What's in it For You?

DWT offers competitive compensation in addition to ample benefits including but not limited to:

• Choice of health and vision insurance plans
• 2 paid volunteer days for qualifying community service work
• Dental plan
• Fertility and adoption benefit
• Paid sabbatical after 13 years of service
• Tuition reimbursement
• Commuter benefits
• Retirement contribution

This job description intends to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities.

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP fosters a culture where all talented individuals-including those who are traditionally underrepresented in the legal profession-can have, and can see, paths to success. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion sits on four pillars: Community, Growth, Education, and Engagement. Learn more about the firm's commitment to DEI here: .


Davis Wright Tremaine provides reasonable accommodations for those who need them to complete the application or recruiting process and for employees who need reasonable accommodations to perform the essential functions of their positions due to a disability or for religious reasons. If you need to request accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please email [email protected].


#LI-AF1