Legal Assistant - Family Law

Legal Assistant - Family Law

Varnum LLP, a Michigan-based, full-service law firm with over 200 attorneys and six offices, has full-time openings for experienced Legal Assistants in our Grand Rapids office supporting our Family law practice team. We are seeking candidates who are organized and display a keen attention to detail, with superb commitment to client service.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Participates on a client-focused team displaying professionalism, excellent communication skills, and exercising personal judgment under the ultimate direction of assigned timekeepers.
• Prepares correspondence, memos, pleadings, briefs, forms and other documents in proper legal form.
• Files legal documents with appropriate attachments, both electronically and via traditional filing methods.
• Transcribes documents from dictation; proofreads and edits all documents to ensure accuracy and professional appearance.
• Answers telephone calls in a courteous and professional manner; forwards messages to the intended parties; answers non-legal questions.
• Places phone calls as needed or requested.
• Receives, reads and routes incoming postal mail.
• Arranges for the proper delivery of documents/projects via courier runs, hand-deliveries, Federal Express, UPS, Express Mail, etc.; provides complete information to courier for delivery.
• Maintains appointment and deadline reminder calendar (docket) for all case-related dates. Including but not limited to appointments, deadlines, and follow-up dates.
• Reviews calendar reports generated from docket control system.
• Enters and proofreads time in the billing system; to the extent possible, ensures accurate entry of complete information before each monthly deadline on an as needed basis.
• Opens new files, performs conflict of interest checks through conflicts control system, and maintains all electronic and physical client and general files in a neat and orderly condition.
• Closes inactive files in a timely manner and in accordance with the Record Retention & Destruction Policy and Guideline.
• Schedules depositions, hearings, appointments, and conference calls; prepares necessary documents and copies for meetings.
• Requests checks for filing fees, etc. and attorneys' business expense reimbursements.
• Assists with legal assistant work overflow or absence coverage as time permits or needs dictate and as requested by other attorneys, paralegals, or Human Resources representatives.
• Attend staff meetings, training sessions and other required employee meetings.
• Copying, typing, scanning, faxing and any other general office duty as needed.
• Maintains confidentiality in all firm and client matters. Assists with other firm work as directed by attorney or paralegal.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Education: Completion of high school.
• Experience: Three to five years on the job experience in order to gain an understanding of law office policies and procedures and produce accurate legal documents with minimal supervision. Bachelor's degree in legal studies or related field preferred.
• Required Skills/Abilities: Proficient in MS Office Suite and legal document management software with the ability to transcribe legal documents, correspondence, and reports from rough draft, dictation, or transcription at a level of at least 30 wpm. Excellent proofreading skills. Exceptional organizational and multitasking abilities to meet deadlines and manage competing priorities. Works independently and completes tasks with minimal supervision. Professional demeanor and ability to work well in a team-oriented environment. Ability to communicate and follow instructions effectively from a diverse group of attorneys and staff. Committed to providing responsive client service. Occasional hours outside of normally-scheduled hours.
• Preferred Skills: Knowledge of iManage, Aderant, EAPro, Intapp or other document management systems.
• Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday. 100% in-person.