Legal professionals choose to work at Pierce Atwood for many reasons. For some it's the opportunity to work at a successful firm with a first-class national reputation, for others it's the chance to work on interesting matters from small, local clients to large, national or international clients, and for many it's to work with smart people who value collaboration and collegiality.

Job Summary
Under general supervision and according to established policies and procedures, the Legal Administrative Assistant performs a variety of administrative and secretarial duties in support of attorneys, paralegals and other support staff members in the Real Estate practice group. Maintains positive contact with client and co-workers, and observes confidentiality in all client and firm matters.  Key job responsibilities include: setting up all new matter reports, performing conflict checks, providing back-up billing assistance, handling and processing order invoices, print and copy jobs, conference room reservations and meeting coordination, file room upkeep and organization, stocking and maintaining supplies in attorney work area, drafting deeds/ancillary loan documents, filing all UCC statements, uploading closing binder cd’s/sending out all closing binder to cd’s & original documents to clients, requesting discharges/other documents for title defects, calling tax collector/assessor offices for closings, using First American website to locate title policies, using Registry of Deeds website to find deeds/mortgages as needed, sending overnight mail items, arranging for courier pick-ups and hand deliveries, answering the phone, sending out original documents to lenders.

 

General Position Responsibilities:

  • Collect appropriate information/data in regards to opening new matter reports for incoming work.
  • Coordinate preliminary conflict checks through the automated system to ensure attorney and firm ability to represent potential client.
  • Proofread and edit documents for grammatical, typographical and spelling errors.  Finalize and distribute to clients, attorneys and staff.  Ensure deadlines are anticipated and met.
  • Receive, screen and route incoming telephone calls, conference calls and messages to attorneys, clients and staff promptly.  Assist callers as appropriate in attorney’s absence.  Refer callers to other attorneys and respond to inquiries when appropriate.
  • Sort, date stamp and distribute incoming and outgoing mail promptly upon receipt several times a day.  Open and review materials as directed.
  • Transcribe and edit correspondence, documents, memoranda, and project work in the production of legal documents.  Carry out instructions from tapes, verbal and/or handwritten materials.  Compose routine correspondence for attorney signature.
  • Coordinate conferences, meetings and appointments for attorneys and clients including conference room scheduling, meals, beverages, preparation of materials and greeting clients. Coordinate seminar registration and travel arrangements securing air, hotel and car reservations for attorney and clients.
  • Maintain calendar of meetings and business trips, apprising attorney of responsibilities in advance of commitment.
  • Set up, organize and maintain firm files.  Read and review material to be filed, file documents in proper files, and retrieve documents and files when requested.  Designate disposition of files to either form files, attorney files or finish files as appropriate.
  • Perform a variety of administrative functions including processing new matter reports, preparation of expense reports, tracking CLE credits, etc.
  • Employ firm applications efficiently and effectively to process work.
  • Work collaboratively with others across the firm to meet the needs of attorneys across the firm.
  • Follow up on requests made by attorneys, paralegals and clients.
  • Assist other attorneys or staff in performing secretarial functions as requested or needed.
  • Perform other functions as requested or needed.

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

  • Ability to demonstrate a high degree of professionalism and interpersonal skills, including, maintaining positive contact with clients, attorneys and co-workers.
  • Demonstrated ability to be a team player.  A can-do attitude.
  • Strong problem solving skills.
  • Strong technical aptitude. Intermediate Microsoft Word skills required.  Advanced Microsoft Word skills preferred. Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint and databases.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Ability to pay close attention to detail to ensure the highest quality work product for the client.
  • Strong multitasking skills. Ability to organize and prioritize numerous tasks and complete them under time constraints.
  • Knowledge of general office or law office policies and procedures which enable the production of thorough and accurate results with minimal supervision.
  • Ability to learn quickly and adapt to changing computer applications.
  • Ability to proofread typed materials for contextual grammatical, typographical and spelling errors.
  • Proficiency with office equipment, including printers, copiers, faxes, transcription machines, label makers, etc.
  • Ability to work more than 37.5 hours when required to complete specific projects or tasks.

 

To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume at Heather Higgins at hhiggins@pierceatwood.com.