Legal Executive Assistant

Summary The Legal Executive Assistant (LEA) supports lawyers by managing daily functions of an attorney's practice so the attorney can focus on developing and sustaining their practice. The LEA serves as an executive‑level assistant, creating connections, delivering critical information, ensuring meetings and materials are accurate, and acting as a trusted business partner to help meet practice priorities and client needs. The LEA collaborates with Legal Administrative Assistants (LAA) and Legal Support Assistants (LSA), requiring both administrative competence and a thorough understanding of procedures, business context, terminology, and the documents encountered in legal practice. Location This position can be based in Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, Northern Virginia, Palo Alto, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Short Hills, Washington, DC or Wilmington and offers a hybrid work schedule. Responsibilities Provides support and management of the attorney’s projects ensuring deadlines are met and tasks are completed efficiently. Consults with lawyers and administrative teams to ensure project milestones are adhered to. Serves as a liaison between attorneys, clients, and other internal departments, handling inquiries and relaying messages accurately. Utilizes independent judgment and the ability to make sound decisions when responding on behalf of the attorney. Develops and maintains professional relationships to ensure teams work together efficiently and effectively. Provides clear direction and constructive feedback on projects and assignments. Builds trust, resolves conflicts, and collaborates effectively with people at all levels of the organization. Delegates assignments as necessary to LSAs (Legal Support Assistants) and AskLegalSupport ensuring timely and accurate completion. Monitors progress of assignments and communicates on behalf of the attorney with support teams to ensure successful project outcomes. Delivers service feedback and makes improvement recommendations to firm management teams. Collaborates as necessary with other LEAs or LAAs to complete more complex projects or provide administrative support for attorneys. Provides mentorship and support to LSAs who assist with projects. Provides feedback for the professional development of LSAs who assist the attorney’s team. Delivers ongoing feedback and mentoring providing opportunities for continued improvement. Drafts, proofreads, and finalizes legal documents, correspondence, and presentations on behalf of the attorney. Reviews and ensures accuracy of final work product. Provides feedback to internal support teams on completed work to improve outcomes for accurate and timely project delivery. Provides day‑to‑day information governance (IG) and records management support for client/matter work by helping ensure content is organized, stored in approved repositories, and maintained in accordance with firm policies and procedures, including proactive matter close‑out activities. Serves as a liaison between attorneys/matter teams and IG/Records resources as needed. Conducts research on behalf of the attorney and practice group. Compiles information for case preparation and executive briefings. Consults with internal support teams to ensure completion of presentations and other necessary materials. Oversees meeting planning and coordinates with internal and external parties to ensure logistical and other critical details are in place. Prepares meeting agenda and ensures presentations and other materials needed are accurately prepared and available. Ensures the attorney and meeting attendees have support and requests initiated during the meeting are managed in a timely and accurate manner. Oversees billing matters, including all approval forms and collaboration correspondence, ensures prebills are processed accurately and timely; serves as a proxy for attorneys to address questions or issues related to the billing process. Ensures final bills are delivered in a timely manner and initiates follow‑up at the attorney’s request. Manages the attorney’s calendar, schedules meetings, resolves conflicts, and organizes complex travel itineraries. Communicates potential conflicting priorities to the attorney and offers solutions. Ensures the attorney’s expenses and time entry are assigned to AskLegalSupport and are processed correctly in a timely manner. Desired Skills The ability to communicate effectively in the native language of the region via e‑mail or voice is essential. Takes initiative to enhance existing and learn additional skills. Demonstrates adaptability, discretion, professionalism, and a commitment to continual development. Possesses in‑depth knowledge of processes, procedures, and document types to provide the highest level of administrative and legal support. Exhibits strong communication and people skills to interact with lawyers, clients, business professionals, and firm support teams. Demonstrates ability to convey complex information clearly and concisely, both in writing and verbally. Is a process‑driven professional with excellent time management, prioritization, and multitasking in a fast‑paced setting. Pays attention to minute details, works well under pressure, stays positive and productive, and seeks assistance from firm resources when necessary. Expert with Firm software and technology, including research tools, case‑management and accounting software, as well as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Skilled at adapting to application upgrades and using AI‑powered tools for document production, review, and research. Proficient in virtual collaboration tools such as Zoom and Teams. Minimum Education High School Diploma or GED. Preferred Education Bachelor’s Degree in Legal Studies, Business Administration, or a related field. Minimum Years Of Experience Five years of experience in an administrative role within a corporate or legal environment, providing support to upper‑level leadership. Essential Job Expectations Effectively communicate, verbatim and in writing, with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and third parties. Produce deliverables, answer phone calls, and reply to correspondence in a timely and responsive manner. Provide accurate, high‑quality work product. Meet deadlines and perform required duties. Foster positive work relationships. Comply with all firm policies and practices. Engage in physical and sedentary activity as required, including extended computer use, virtual calls, and meetings. Work under pressure and manage competing demands in a fast‑paced environment. Perform all other duties, tasks, or projects as assigned. Physical Demands Sedentary work: Exerts up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Walking and standing are required only occasionally; otherwise, the role is primarily sedentary. Work Environment The position may involve a hybrid work arrangement of remote and in‑office work. The specific balance is determined in coordination with the hiring manager and may be modified at the firm’s discretion. Required Equal‑Opportunity Statement DLA Piper is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. #J-18808-Ljbffr DLA Piper