Commercial Litigation Legal Assistant

Ascension Global Staffing & Executive Search, a Hispanic Women Owned & Operated National Recruiting Firm's global Am law client is seeking a Litigation Legal Assistant.

We are seeking a highly skilled professional who thrives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. The ideal candidate possesses strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities, ensuring efficiency and accuracy in every task. With a dedicated work ethic and a can-do attitude, you will take initiative and approach challenges with confidence and resilience. Excellent communication skills are essential for collaborating effectively across teams and delivering exceptional client service. If you are someone who demonstrates initiative, adaptability, and innovation, we invite you to join our team. 

This role will be based in our client's Miami office, on an in-office basis. Regular in-office presence is required for day-to-day operations, as well as for team meetings, training opportunities, and relationship building. 

Position Summary 

This position provides high-level secretarial and administrative support to three or more attorneys. Assist attorneys in preparing litigation cases from onset through post-trial; Document production and management, data mining, research; obtaining and organizing case files on a daily basis; preparing, organizing and maintaining deposition materials and summaries; assisting with trial and mediation preparations; may enter time; assist with document production including creation and editing of various legal forms, correspondence and documents. Candidate should also be flexible to work overtime as needed.

Key Responsibilities

• Handles scheduling and travel arrangements. Schedules court appearances, depositions, arbitrations, mediations, client meetings and conference calls; arranges business itineraries and coordinates lawyers’ travel arrangements; processes travel reimbursement, maintains calendar and due dates for lawyers as required
• Sorts, reads and annotates incoming mail and documents as required. 
• Types and composes general correspondence, memos, legal documents, faxes, reports, etc. from various sources. Responsible for accuracy and clarity of final copy. Ensures that all correspondence or other documentation is dispatched in a timely manner (via mail, messenger, express delivery services, etc.)
• Prepares draft documents such as briefs, complaints, motions, subpoenas, summonses, using firm templates and information from attorneys. Prepares motion binders and special working binders
• Coordinates multi-document filings in Federal, Circuit and State courts, including E-filings
• Establishes and maintains filing and records, in both hard copy and electronic formats.
• Oversees and conducts document reviews; prepares documentation regarding criteria changes; tracks and reports on review progress and results
• Performs analytical tasks, including preparing witness interview memoranda, reviewing and summarizing documents and deposition and court transcripts and creating and using substantive coding tools
• Performs and oversees proof reading of briefs and other legal documents
• Assists with trial preparation, including creating trial notebooks, identifying and organizing exhibits, coordinating witness schedules, maintaining trial calendars and communicating effectively with opposing counsel and courtroom staff
• Assists with other department activities as needed, and performs additional duties and responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

Skills & Competencies

• Proficiency with rules for court document filings
• Comprehension of a variety of legal court documents, including complaints, answers, rulings, judgments, affidavits, motions, appeals, table of contents/authorities, subpoenas, court dockets, reports, memos and correspondence
• Strong ability to maintain high standards, use good judgment and seek out ways to contribute and anticipate needs
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills and ability to manage time effectively
• Excellent interpersonal skills, communication skills and the ability to collaborate well in a team
• Position also requires the ability to work under pressure to meet strict deadlines.

Education & Prior Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience preferred
• Minimum 5 years of experience as a legal secretary/assistant, working in a business law practice in the firm's Litigation department
• Experience with iManage preferred

Technology 

• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications including Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook, as well as document management and other office technologies, expertise in e-filing
• Exceptional computer skills with the ability to learn new software applications quickly