Legal Assistant

Worcester Investments is a family-owned and operated real estate investment company based in Kansas City, Missouri. After being founded in 2006, the family business began acquiring rental property in Oregon, where they lived. In 2007, Worcester Investments expanded into the Midwest through a real estate connection and has continued to grow steadily each year.

Today, Worcester Communities oversees 3,000 units across multiple cities, a testament to their strategic vision. Join us on our journey to redefine multifamily living and maximize investor returns.

Whew! Still with us? Cool. Let’s talk about where you’d fit in:

SUMMARY:

The Legal Assistant will provide comprehensive legal support to Worcester’s General Counsel, playing a key role in ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of the legal department. Responsibilities include conducting in-depth legal research using various resources, drafting and reviewing a wide range of legal documents, and meticulously maintaining files, both physical and electronic. This role also involves managing complex calendars and appointments for the General Counsel, coordinating meetings, and providing general administrative support, such as preparing reports, and handling correspondence.

DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide comprehensive legal support to general counsel.
• Conduct legal research using various resources and databases.
• Draft, review, and edit legal documents, including pleadings, motions, and correspondence.
• Maintain and organize case files, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality. Assist with e-discovery processes and document production.
• Communicate effectively with clients, opposing counsel, and other parties involved.
• Manage calendars, schedule meetings, and coordinate appointments. Provide administrative support, including handling phone calls, emails, and mail.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of legal procedures and terminology. Adhere to all ethical and professional standards.
• Flexible and capable of prioritizing tasks while working in a busy and changing environment. Perform various administrative tasks as needed or as directed by management and any additional responsibilities as required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS and REQUIREMENTS:

• Associate's degree in paralegal studies or a related field.
• A paralegal certificate is preferred.
• Minimum 2 years experience as a legal assistant.
• Strong legal research and writing skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and legal research databases.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.

ATTENDANCE and TRAVEL:

• Travel may be required as necessary to attend training and other company functions.

COMPETENCIES:

• Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
• Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.
• Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
• Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
• Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations. Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
• Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports organization's goals and values; Benefits organization through outside activities; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.
• Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans.
• Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Quantity - Meets productivity standards; Completes work in a timely manner; Strives to increase productivity; Works quickly.
• Strategic Thinking - Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; Understands organization's strengths & weaknesses; Analyzes market and competition; Identifies external threats and opportunities; Adapts strategy to changing conditions.
• Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Occasionally required to stand
• Frequently required to walk
• Continually required to sit
• Continually required to utilize hand and finger dexterity
• Occasionally required to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel or crawl
• Continually required to talk or hear While performing the duties of this job
• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate
• The employee must occasionally lift and /or move more than __20__ pounds / frequently lift and/or move up to __10_ pounds
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include: Close vision; Distance vision