What are the responsibilities and job description for the Legal Assistant - Debt Finance position at White & Case?
Firm Summary
Position Summary
Debt Finance Legal Assistants work under the supervision of Debt Finance attorneys in providing legal services to clients. Their responsibilities vary depending upon the practice group to which they are assigned. They may also work with other personnel (e.g. other legal assistants, Practice Technology, Global Technology Services, librarians, Professional Support Lawyers, Marketing professionals, practice assistants, copy center, mailroom, etc.) at the Firm in delivering legal services to clients. Debt Finance Legal Assistants will be requested to perform other duties as required.
Duties and Accountabilities
In addition to the duties described in the Position Summary, Debt Finance legal assistants are required to assist Debt Finance legal teams on an as-needed basis. Legal assistants will acquire an understanding of the mechanics of corporate representation and transactional matters. This will be achieved by attending legal assistant training sessions, corporate practice group and section seminars, database training sessions and through general on-the-job experience. Such work may include:
- Become familiar with the legal and factual issues of matters
- Utilize a variety of resources including on line sources to perform factual and legal research
- Organize, maintain and distribute files/documents as requested
- Coordinate closings and post-closing aspects of transaction (coordinate logistics of on line and in person closings, prepare closing sets, and oversee E-Bible creation)
- Liaise with corporate service providers for entity search requests
- Draft standard closing documents (receipts, officer’s certificates)
- Prepare schedules and tables to agreements
- Prepare initial drafts of closing checklists
- Perform searches, prepare and track filings under the Uniform Commercial Code (using technology based resources and outside service bureaus)
- Conduct definition checks, cross reference checks and editing of documents using applicable software
- Contact clients, attorneys, service organizations and other professionals in connection with transactions, with the approval of the supervising attorney
- Proofread and blackline documents, including familiarity with Workshare software
- Develop knowledge of software programs to perform work, e.g. iManage, Legalkey, Excel, Bloomberg Law, Worksite, Intralinks, Lexis/Nexis, Securities Mosaic. Litera, Luminence
- Create databases, charts, graphs, tables, etc. for analysis of data
- Process invoices related to vendor services contracted on behalf of a client or attorney
- Prepare daily time entries and submit weekly overtime reports for services performed.
- Partner with legal assistant manager and/or director of legal assistants to formulate yearly goals.
- Develop a plan of action to achieve yearly goals.
- Utilize firm technology resources to enhance work product delivered to clients.
Qualifications
- Four year college degree with a minimum G.P.A. of 3.5
- Strong academic background
- Clear and concise writing skills
- Good verbal communication skills
- Related work and/or internship experience
- Excellent organizational skills
- Willingness and ability to work overtime and long hours
- Basic knowledge of and proficiency with Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat
- Familiarity and competency with technology
- Ability to follow through on projects
- Ability to work under pressure and with a variety of personalities
- Ability to work with and liaise with colleagues in other internal departments (e.g., Office Services, Practice Technology, Global Technology Services, Research & Information Services, Operations, Practice Assistants, Document Services, etc.)
- Excellent professional and personal references
- Excellent judgment
- High ethical standards
- Ability to maintain confidentiality
- Ability to travel as needed
- Foreign language skills a plus
Location and Reporting
- This role is based in the New York office.
- This role reports to the Manager of Corporate Legal Assistants
Equal Opportunities
Expected Workplace: Hybrid