Legal Assistant

Warner Norcross Judd is seeking a Litigation Legal Assistant to join our team in Grand Rapids. This role is responsible for providing comprehensive support to timekeeping roles within the Firm including Attorneys and Paralegals. This role involves performing a variety of administrative and clerical tasks to ensure the efficiency of legal processes as well as providing exceptional client service. The ideal candidate will have excellent organizational skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously while maintaining a high standard of work.

About the Opportunity

Responsibilities:

• Prepares correspondence, memos, pleadings, briefs, forms, and other documents in proper legal formatting, ranging from simple to very complex while fully utilizing the available resources. Carefully proofreads all documents to ensure they are accurate, consistent, and professionally presented. Transcribes documents from dictation as required.
• Maintains electronic client files efficiently and systematically. Ensures emails and other electronic documents are properly filed in the document management system. Converts hard copy files to electronic format as necessary, keeping all records up to date. Orders new sub-files as needed, adhering to practice group standards.
• Handles client calls with courtesy and professionalism, swiftly forwarding relevant messages to the appropriate parties. Manages calls efficiently, promptly addressing client information requests, and keeping timekeepers updated on conversations.
• Opens new client matters, ensuring all client information is complete and compliant with Firm procedures. Enters accurate client matter numbers for correct billing and arranges the proper delivery of documents and projects via courier, hand delivery, or other special services.
• Monitors project status and keeps timekeepers informed of deadlines and commitments. Maintains and tracks docket information, coordinates electronic filings, and interacts with federal, state, and local agencies and courts to ensure proper documentation and filings.
• Manages timekeeper calendars, travel, expenses, and meeting logistics. Assists timekeepers with practice group meetings and events.
• Reviews and edits time entries in the timekeeping system before they are released into the billing system, ensuring accurate and complete information is entered and compliant with Firm standards before each weekly and monthly deadline.
• Proofreads and edits client billing memos for accuracy and distribution. Coordinates special billing arrangements based on client request.
• Provides coverage and backup support, as a member of a team, to other timekeepers when team members are absent from the Firm and coordinates vacation schedules to ensure timekeeper coverage.

The Legal Assistant role embodies Warner’s foundational values through teamwork, by fostering collaboration with both team members and other firm members; adaptability, by navigating changing conditions and shifting priorities; service, by delivering customer-centric solutions; excellence, by cultivating strong internal and external relationships and consistently providing high-quality results; and respect, by treating everyone with dignity, resolving conflicts constructively, and supporting the success of others.

Competencies

• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent communication and organization skills
• Time Management
• Technical Proficiency
• Client Service Orientation
• Problem-Solving Abilities
• Confidentiality and Integrity
• Adaptability
• Team Collaboration
• Basic understanding of legal terminology

About You

Experience, Education and Training:

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree preferred in legal studies or a related field, or equivalent training and experience.
• Advanced proficiency in computer software and applications, including Microsoft Suites
• Familiarity with legal research tools and document management systems
• Proficient typing speed with excellent accuracy
• Strong proficiency in grammar and composition

About Warner

By providing discerning and proactive legal advice, Warner Norcross Judd builds a better partnership with its clients. Warner is a full-service corporate law firm with 230 attorneys practicing in nine offices throughout Michigan: Bloomfield Hills, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Holland, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Macomb, Midland and Muskegon. To learn more, visit www.wnj.com, follow us on X @WNJLLP or connect on LinkedIn or Facebook.

About Our Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans
• Firm-provided life insurance and disability coverage
• 401k with employer contribution or match depending on plan design
• Generous PTO and leave policies
• Firm holidays
• Remote work flexibility
• Wellness program
• Employee assistance program
• Professional development opportunities

Our Culture

Warner’s cultural motto is “Fun, Pride Profit...in that Order”. We believe that if you have fun at work, take pride in the accomplishments of you and your colleagues, that profit will naturally follow. We build A Better Partnership through:

Teamwork – Warner’s lockstep compensation model encourages teamwork, and distinguishes us from our competitors. Partner and associate salaries are set based upon seniority, not total hours worked, encouraging client legal projects to be routed to the most knowledgeable person in the firm. Our team approach to compensation yields better legal representation for our clients and lays the foundation for a fun culture without internal financial competition. We have a team atmosphere where people like working together and supporting each other.

Diversity – A diverse group of 30 firm members serve on Warner’s DEI Action Committee and contribute over 2000 collective hours annually to drive diversity, equity and inclusion through initiatives such as firm-wide town hall meetings, employee resource groups and hiring processes. Our DEIAC focuses on Warner’s “one firm” approach that embraces everyone in the firm. We celebrate differences with the same energy we honor our commonalities. When all firm members feel safe being their authentic selves and all barriers to opportunity are eliminated, it’s a better partnership for everyone.

Balance – Our culture of balanced personal and professional lifestyle allows us to maintain a 94% attorney retention rate. Attorneys throughout Michigan, the region and beyond are choosing Warner as their forever home – and because of our dedicated focus on living balanced lives, our attorneys’ families are fully supporting these important decisions.

Community – Warner’s time-honored community engagement initiatives include financial contributions to 150 nonprofits, scholarships and paid time off for all firm members to engage in community initiatives that are meaningful to them.

EEO Statement

Warner Norcross Judd LLP is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workplaces. We are committed to building a firm that reflects the diversity of the clients and communities we serve. We can foster inclusion and equity by moving beyond barriers and rejecting stereotypes based on gender, race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and veteran status. The result is a high performing team of professionals providing excellent service to our clients.

How to Apply

We appreciate your interest in exploring career opportunities with Warner. To apply, visit WNJ.com and navigate to the Careers section, then select Staff Openings. Click Add to Apply List and then Apply to create a profile and continue with your application.

Please address cover letters to Bekah Mingee, Human Resources Generalist.

Closing Statement

Warner hires top talent at every point in our organization. We are seeking dedicated professionals with diverse backgrounds who strive to support the firm and its goals. Our collegial culture attracts people with diverse skills and backgrounds who are dedicated to teamwork and client service.