Legal Support - Assistant and Senior Assistant in Chicago, Illinois at Sidley Austin LLP

Legal Support - Assistant and Senior Assistant

We are actively hiring for multiple levels within our Legal Support team in Chicago. Depending on your background, you may be considered for one of the following roles: Assistant or Senior Assistant. Candidates will be evaluated on their skills, education, and experience to determine the appropriate level, and compensation will depend on the specific role and individual candidate.

• Legal Support Assistant is an entry-level role designed to provide substantive training and development opportunities to build the knowledge and skills necessary to support attorneys in a law firm environment. Working closely with the Legal Support Manager and/or Legal Support Supervisor, the position learns to perform a variety of clerical and administrative tasks while following established office procedures and maintaining efficient workflows. The role also requires establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external clients while adhering to firm policies and procedures

• Legal Support Senior Assistant is responsible for various administrative tasks for attorneys, coordinates and follows effective office procedures and efficient workflows, establishes and maintains harmonious working relationships with both internal and external clients while adhering to firm policies and procedures. Prior experience working in key firm practice areas with knowledge of practice specific operations is essential. Involved in the day-to-day management of clients and matters.

Duties and Responsibilities Legal Support Assistant

• Prepare, format, edit and finalize documents including correspondence, charts, motions, briefs, pleadings, exhibits, contracts, memoranda, etc. using MS Office applications and other firm software
• Proofread all work to ensure proper formatting, spelling and grammar
• Input, edit and finalize attorney daily time entries using the InTapp billing system ensuring compliance with time entry policies and client billing guidelines
• Prepare and submit expenses and invoices for payment; submit check requests as needed
• Coordinate travel arrangements including air, hotel and car service for attorneys; maintain travel expenses
• Receive, screen and route telephone calls, conference calls and messages to attorneys, clients and staff
• Process incoming and outgoing mail and deliveries; distribute promptly upon receipt
• Coordinate conferences, meetings, and appointments for attorneys and clients including conference room scheduling and catering
• Establishes and maintains paper and electronic files in compliance with current firm policies
• Collaborate with departments across the firm in order to complete required tasks within the role by using appropriate resources
• Perform a variety of clerical and administrative functions including photocopying, printing, binder assembly, transcribing and revising digital audio, etc.
• Operates office equipment including PCs, printers, phones, copiers, scanners and facsimiles
• Cover other desk assignments when needed and offers assistance to others on the team in order to meet firm and client needs
• Perform other duties as assigned

Duties and Responsibilities Legal Support Senior Assistant

• Collect and submit information needed to open new client matters and run conflicts
• Assist attorneys in preparing for client meetings, deal closings, hearings, trials, depositions and other client related project support
• Track and organize material and information related to attorney leadership roles in bar and other professional organizations
• Prepare, format, edit and finalize documents including correspondence, charts, motions, briefs, pleadings, exhibits, contracts, memoranda, etc. using MS Office applications and other firm software
• Proofread all work to ensure proper formatting, spelling and grammar
• Input, edit and finalize attorney daily time entries using the InTapp billing system ensuring compliance with time entry policies and client billing guidelines;
• Prepare and submit expenses and invoices for payment; submit check requests as needed
• Coordinate travel arrangements including air, hotel and car service for attorneys and clients; maintain travel expenses
• Receive, screen and route telephone calls, conference calls and messages to attorneys, clients and staff
• Process incoming and outgoing mail and deliveries; distribute promptly upon receipt
• Manage calendars and coordinate conferences, meetings, and appointments for attorneys and clients including conference room scheduling and related services
• Collaborate with departments across the firm in order to complete required tasks within the role by using appropriate resources, address issues and resolve problems
• Establish and maintains paper and electronic files in compliance with current firm policies
• Operate office equipment including PCs, printers, phones, copiers, scanners and facsimiles
• Perform a variety of clerical and administrative functions including photocopying, printing, binder assembly, transcribing and revising digital audio, etc.
• Maintain and demonstrate proficiency in the use of firm-issued equipment, firm-required software and practice specific applications, as required
• Cover other desk assignments when needed and offers assistance to other members on the team in order to meet firm and client needs
• Perform other duties as assigned

Legal Support Assistant

Education and/or Experience:

Required:

• High school graduate or equivalency
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications with high aptitude for learning new software and systems

Preferred:

• Bachelor's degree
• Ability to accurately type 50 words per minute
• Professional services industry experience a plus

Legal Support Senior Assistant

Education and/or Experience:

Required:

• High school graduate or equivalency
• Three or more years of related work experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Previous experience in a similar role in a law firm or professional services environment supporting multiple fee earners
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and other software typically used in law firms (ex. InTapp, Chrome River, NetDocs, etc.); high aptitude for learning new software and systems
• Knowledge of legal terminology and formats

Preferred:

• Bachelor's degree
• Ability to accurately type 50 words per minute
• Global law firm experience

Other Skills and Abilities Legal Support Assistant

• Superior written and verbal communication skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Self-starter who takes initiative; shows ownership and commitment to the position
• Ability to work harmoniously and effectively with others
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion
• Ability to work under pressure; manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities
• Ability to develop proficiency in legal and administrative applications that support firm operations and client work
• Eager and willing to learn new skills
• Reliable with strong work ethic
• Presents professionally with an ability to speak comfortably and professionally with attorneys, staff, clients and vendors
• Excellent customer service

Other Skills and Abilities Legal Support Senior Assistant

• Proactive and positive approach to assignments and responsibilities
• Excellent customer service and client relationship skills
• Superior written and verbal communication skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Self-starter who takes initiative; shows ownership and commitment to the position
• Ability to work independently, harmoniously and effectively with others
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion
• Ability to work under pressure; resilience to navigate multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities
• Ability to learn and embrace new skills and best practices as the position evolves and Firm needs change
• Reliable with strong work ethic
• Willingness to develop others through mentoring and sharing experiences

#LI-TM1

The target salary range for this role is:

Legal Support Assistant: $56,000 - $65,000, Legal Support Senior Assistant: $62,000 - $80,000 if located in Illinois

Salaries vary by location and are based on numerous factors, including, but not limited to, the relevant market, skills, experience, and education of the selected candidate. Our compensation package also includes bonus eligibility and a comprehensive benefits program. Benefits information can be found at Sidley.com/Benefits.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the Duties and Responsibilities above satisfactorily and meet the requirements. The requirements listed above are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. If you need such an accommodation, please email sidleytalentacquisition@sidley.com (current employees should contact Human Resources).

Sidley Austin LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Sidley is an elite global law firm with a known reputation of deploying innovative strategies to achieve powerful results.