Legal Assistant - Complex Litigation & Dispute Resolultion

Jones Foster is seeking an experienced Litigation Legal Assistant to join our West Palm Beach office. This position performs various legal administrative support duties and delivers high-quality service to clients, committing to integrity and excellence. The legal assistant will support attorneys with various tasks, including assisting in legal research, drafting, and reviewing documents, communicating with clients, preparing hearings, trials, and meetings, and organizing and maintaining files. Managing a large and diversified workload in support of attorneys and paralegals requires a good understanding of the organization and its business needs. The responsibilities include prioritizing, managing, following through on multiple projects, and communicating effectively, courteously, and professionally with clients, attorneys, staff, the Judiciary, and peers. Candidates must have a thorough knowledge of practice-specific administrative processes and procedures, information technology systems, research tools, and a broad-based understanding of the clients, matters, and associated practices. This is a 36.25 hour per week position.

As a Legal Assistant at Jones Foster, here is what you will do:

·        Prepare and draft legal documents such as briefs, motions, complaints, pleadings, subpoenas, affidavits, and summonses, and format documents as appropriate for each court.

·        Compile, proofread, and edit drafts of contracts, leases, licenses, and other legal documents.

·        Coordinate multi-document filings in Circuit, State, and Federal courts, including e-filing.

·        Establish and maintain paper and electronic files in compliance with firm policies utilizing the firm’s document management system.

·        Transcribe dictation, scheduling, calendaring, time entry, and billing.

·        Collaborate with firm-wide departments handling multiple responsibilities, including case opening, conflict checking, billing, training, records, etc.

·        Assist attorneys in all stages of litigation cases from onset to post-trial.

·        Assist with trial preparation, including creating trial notebooks, organizing exhibits, coordinating witness schedules, maintaining the trial calendar, and communicating effectively with opposing counsel and courtroom staff.

·        Experience tracking firm, attorney, and client expenses and using application software to process reimbursement and payments.

·        Knowledge and ability to participate in client billing including assisting attorneys in entering narratives, tracking billable tasks, making edits, and calendaring billing due dates.

·        Schedule client appointments in coordination with the attorney.

·        Managing electronic and paper case files.

·        Handling incoming and outgoing mail and other correspondence.

·        Answering, screening, directing, and placing telephone calls and emails.

·        Consistently deliver outstanding client service and quality.

·        Perform other related duties as assigned

The following is a list of some of the important things we would like to see in a candidate:

·        A strong attention to detail, professional demeanor, and positive, dare we say fun, attitude.

·        Fantastic interpersonal and customer service skills.

·        Great organizational skills with a proven ability to track and meet deadlines in what can often be, a fast-paced and at times stressful environment.

·        Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.

·        Understanding of legal language and principles, research methods, court pleadings and processes, and other related matters.

·        Excellent organizational skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.

·        Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

·        Ability to perform tasks utilizing legal office software such as document management.

·        Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion and good judgment.

·        Ability to work independently.

·        Full proficiency with advanced, multifunction word processing software including Microsoft Office Suites (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and PDF programs) or related software.

·        Experience working with multiple attorneys.

·        Strong attention to detail, initiative, and follow-through required.

·        Experience in iManage and Coyote is a plus.

·        High School Diploma or equivalent experience

·        Minimum five (5) years of experience in a legal environment or law firm.

·        Notary for the State of Florida required.

Here is what you get working at Jones Foster:

Jones Foster provides a team-oriented working environment with a competitive salary and excellent benefits. This is a 36.25 hour per week position. Submit resume and salary requirements to Tammy Anton, Human Resources Manager, at tanton@jonesfoster.com .