Legal Team Assistant

Legal Team Assistant

The Legal Team Assistant provides diverse administrative and organizational support to the direct and in-direct assigned principal(s) and team. This individual will prepare documents, correspondence, and extensive client billing. Additional responsibilities include extensive internal and external client contact, organizational and research support, as well as perform a wide variety of other administrative functions.
This role will provide support to the direct assigned partners and in-direct assigned principal(s), ensuring effective completion of tasks submitted to the Local Hub. The Legal Team Assistant II will work closely with the Legal Team Coordinator, Legal Team Assistants and Legal Team Administrative Assistants in order to complete tasks for the practice groups
The Legal Team Assistant possesses expertise of specialized knowledge and skills in own area and demonstrates the ability to assume responsibility with minimal supervision, exercises excellent judgment, and makes independent decisions within the scope of assigned authority. The Legal Team Assistant will effectively use his/her skills and knowledge to improve processes and procedures.

Essential job functions

• Answer phones, transfer calls, take messages, establish conference calls and use voice mail
• Handle written and electronic correspondence, including proofreading, organizing and sending materials to clients
• Prepare and process client bills and associated cover letters
• Prepare new matter reports and update list of client/matter codes
• Liaise extensively with lawyers, principals and clients, investigating and responding to requests where appropriate
• Manage lawyers' Outlook calendars, proactively preventing scheduling conflicts and facilitating solutions
• Maintain lawyers' time entries in iTimeKeep
• Monitor professional development requirements for principals
• Create and update comprehensive contact information using Dechert CRM best practices
• Make travel arrangements and complete travel and expense reports in Concur
• Manage workflow and coordinate projects with office services
• Schedule meetings, reserve rooms, coordinate video or audio equipment, and order food
• Use MS Office in preparation of documents, spreadsheets, and presentations
• Maintain document filing to firm standards including Kwiktag
• Utilise iManage document management system for all documents
• Performs all other duties as necessary and as assigned by your allocated principal, Legal Team Coordinator or line manager 'for efficient functioning of the Department, Office and Firm
• Maintain up to date handover notes to ensure consistent quality of service in case of absence

Interactions

The Legal Team Assistant will interact regularly with Firm Lawyers, paralegals and staff in facilitating the flow of all administrative work. The Legal Team Assistant will also interact, from time to time, with clients, counsel and court personnel. The Legal Team Assistant will work regularly with other Dechert departments such as Administration, Finance, Hospitality, Reception, Dechert 24/7, Facilities and Office Services, as well as members of all Dechert regional offices

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Secondary level education required; university studies preferred
• Previous legal secretarial experience in a large law firm and understanding of structure and best practices
• English fluency at native or bilingual level
• Typing 65wpm and proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills
• High attention to detail and ability to multi-task
• Ability to prioritize and coordinate work
• Ability to maintain confidential information
• Ability to complete assignments within agreed deadlines by prioritizing workload
• Ability to assume responsibility with minimal supervision, making independent decisions within the scope of assigned authority
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team
• Ability to maintain confidential information
• Ability and willingness to learn new skills as they become necessary
• Practice and foster an atmosphere of teamwork and cooperation

This job description is intended to provide an overview of the role, and is not an exhaustive list of tasks and responsibilities.

At the time of this posting, the salary range for this position in New York, NY is between $100,000 - $125,000 annually. Actual compensation is commensurate with job related knowledge, skills, experience, and location of the position.