Part-Time Legal Assistant

Part-Time Legal Assistant

Varnum LLP, a Michigan-based, full-service law firm with over 225 attorneys and 6 offices, has a part-time opening for a Legal Assistant in our Grand Rapids office supporting multiple practice teams. We are seeking a candidate who is organized and displays a keen attention to detail, with a superb commitment to client service. This individual should be comfortable working independently, as well as part of a team. The schedule for this part-time position is Tuesday and Wednesday 5:00pm-9:00pm, with occasional coverage as firm needs dictate on Monday from 5:00pm-10:00pm and Thursday from 5:00pm-9:00pm.

This position is responsible for providing administrative and clerical support to multiple attorneys, paralegals, and staff in a broad range of practice areas including litigation, corporate, real estate, estate planning and labor & employment. This position provides coverage support for both planned and unplanned staff absences and general office overflow on a daily basis.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Legal Administrative Expertise
  • Proofread, edit and create documents to ensure accuracy and professional appearance.
  • Enter and proof attorney time in the billing system accurately and on schedule on an as needed basis.
  • Convert documents from PDF to Word and reformat using Styles and Multi-Level lists as needed.
  • Arrange for the proper delivery of documents/projects via courier runs, hand-deliveries, Federal Express, UPS, Certified USPS Mail, etc.
  • Open new files and perform conflict of interest checks through conflicts control system.
  • Copying, typing, scanning, faxing and any other general office duties as needed.
  • Transcribe documents from dictation.
  • Occasional coverage for the reception team.
• Communication Skills
  • Maintain confidentiality in all firm and client matters.
  • Participate on a client-focused team displaying professionalism and exercising personal judgment under the ultimate direction of attorneys, paralegals, and Legal Support Services leadership.
  • Monitor and respond to internal communications in a timely manner
  • Participate in a client-focused team environment, exercising sound judgment and professionalism.
• Organization & Time Management
  • Provide flexible support across departments during staff absences, peak workloads, or urgent projects.
  • Attend staff meetings, training sessions and other required employee meetings.
  • Manage competing priorities and deadlines with efficiency and professionalism

Qualifications & Requirements

• Education: High school diploma required. Bachelor's degree in legal studies preferred.
• Experience: 2-3 years of experience as a Legal Assistant.
• Skills/Abilities: Proficient in MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.). Ability to transcribe legal documents, correspondence, and reports from rough draft from dictation. Knowledge of iManage or other legal document management systems. Excellent grammar, proofreading, transcription, and organization skills. Strong communication skills, both verbal and written. Exceptional organizational and multitasking abilities to meet deadlines. Ability to work well in a team-oriented environment and independently as needed. Ability to communicate and follow instructions effectively from a diverse group of attorneys and staff.
• Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday 5:00pm-9:00pm. On occasion, Monday from 5:00pm-10:00pm and/or Thursday from 5:00pm-9:00pm. Occasional hours outside of normally scheduled hours. 100% onsite and in person.