Corporate Legal Assistant

Professional staff keep the firm running. Whether you're managing a technology rollout, redesigning a workflow, or coordinating a client event, your expertise enables attorneys to focus on their practice, and it shapes the experience clients have with the firm. You're trusted with real ownership here: leading projects, making decisions, and seeing results. Whether you work in HR, IT, Finance, Marketing, Recruiting, or another operational function, your expertise is essential to the firm's success. Attorneys depend on the infrastructure you maintain. Clients benefit from the efficiency you create. Why Professional Staff Choose Varnum Essential to Firm Success Essential to Firm Success Professional staff at Varnum are a critical part of our competitive advantage. We treat our business units as strategic experts, ensuring your insights in areas like marketing, client development, IT, finance, reception, central services, client intake, and HR are integrated into the firm’s long-term goals. Direct Access, Real Influence Direct Access, Real Influence Professional staff have direct access to attorneys and are fully integrated into how work gets done. You'll build genuine working relationships, contribute your expertise to firm initiatives, and be recognized as a contributor whose judgment matters. It’s a culture where every role operates within the same system, and people show up for each other accordingly. Long-Term Investment Long-Term Investment People stay here. Our professional staff tenure averages nine years – a reflection of how we operate, not just what we promise. We invest in your long-term growth through internal leadership training and support for external certifications, ensuring that as the firm evolves, your career evolves with it. "Professional staff play a critical role in our firm's success. Their expertise, perspective, and commitment help move our work forward every day, and their contributions are valued as an essential part of our team." "Professional staff play a critical role in our firm's success. Their expertise, perspective, and commitment help move our work forward every day, and their contributions are valued as an essential part of our team." Emily Kuzma, Senior Human Resources Manager "One of the things I appreciate most about Varnum is that professional staff are viewed as colleagues, not just employees." "One of the things I appreciate most about Varnum is that professional staff are viewed as colleagues, not just employees." Kate McCarthy, Research & Library Services Specialist "The expectations are high, but so is the support. You’re surrounded by people who want you to succeed." "The expectations are high, but so is the support. You’re surrounded by people who want you to succeed." Connor Klunder, Finance Manager "Professional staff play a critical role in our firm's success. Their expertise, perspective, and commitment help move our work forward every day, and their contributions are valued as an essential part of our team." "Professional staff play a critical role in our firm's success. Their expertise, perspective, and commitment help move our work forward every day, and their contributions are valued as an essential part of our team." Emily Kuzma, Senior Human Resources Manager "One of the things I appreciate most about Varnum is that professional staff are viewed as colleagues, not just employees." "One of the things I appreciate most about Varnum is that professional staff are viewed as colleagues, not just employees." Kate McCarthy, Research & Library Services Specialist Ready to explore what’s possible? Review our open positions. Position: Corporate Legal Assistant Location: Birmingham, MI Job Id: 281 # of Openings: 1 Corporate Legal Assistant - Birmingham Varnum LLP, a Michigan-based, full-service law firm with over 225 attorneys and 6 offices, has a full-time opening for an experienced Legal Assistant supporting the Corporate practice team in our Birmingham office. We are seeking a candidate who is organized and displays 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. This role is 100% in-person and requires at least 2-3 years of prior Legal Assistant experience. ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES: Participates in a client-focused team displaying professionalism, excellent communication skills, and exercising personal judgment under the ultimate direction of assigned timekeepers. Proofreads and edits attorney time in the billing system; ensures accurate entry of complete information before each monthly deadline. Prepares, edits, and proofreads legal documents and correspondence, along with handling closing preparations using tools such as SimplyAgree and DocuSign. Converts documents from PDF to Word, ensuring professional appearance and desired functionality. 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. Opens and creates 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. Schedules appointments and conference calls; prepares necessary documents and copies for meetings. Maintains appointment and deadline reminder calendars (docket) for all dates, including but not limited to appointments, deadlines, and follow-up dates, and prepares necessary documents, copies, and binders for all appointments. Reviews calendar reports generated from docket control system. Drafts, finalizes, and delivers engagement letters. 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. 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. Closes inactive files in a timely manner and in accordance with the Record Retention & Destruction Policy and Guideline. 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. QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS: Education: Completion of high school required. Bachelor’s degree in legal studies or related field preferred. Experience: Two to three years Legal Assistant experience required, demonstrating an understanding of law office policies and procedures and an ability to produce accurate legal documents with minimal supervision. Experience supporting a high-volume Corporate law practice required. 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 and grammar 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. Preferred Experience: Experience working in iManage, Aderant EA Pro, Intapp, or comparable legal software. Experience working in DocuSign and/or SimplyAgree. Hours and Location: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday. Occasional hours outside of normally scheduled hours. #J-18808-Ljbffr