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JOB TITLE: Floater/Legal Assistant DEPARTMENT : Document Production and Support Services LOCATION: Philadelphia

OVERVIEW : Duane Morris LLP, a global law firm with 900 + attorneys in offices across the U.S. and around the world, offers innovative solutions to the legal and business challenges presented by today’s evolving global markets.

SUMMARY : We are looking for a Floater/Legal Assistant who has experience working in multiples practice groups. Under general supervision and according to established policies and procedures, performs a variety of duties for attorneys to whom assigned. Maintains positive contact with clients, attorneys and staff and observes confidentiality of client and other firm matters.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Operates a computer with multiple applications; transcribes dictation.
• Types and proofreads correspondence, memoranda and other legal documents; drafts standard correspondence, memoranda and other documents.
• Electronically files legal case documents in State and Federal Courts.
• Screens telephone calls and records messages.
• Reads, sorts and dates incoming mail. Ensures that outgoing mail is delivered on a timely basis. If necessary, routes mail to specific delivery services and follows up on timely delivery.
• Establishes and maintains calendar and deadline reminder systems; utilizes master calendar system.
• Opens new files, requests conflict of interest checks with record center and maintains on-line and hard-copy files. Conducts periodic reviews for possible storage of older files; prepares files to be closed.
• Appropriately and on a timely basis, records work to be billed to clients.
• Possesses knowledge of key clients and contacts.
• Receives clients and visitors; maintains good public relations with clients; observes confidentiality of attorney/client relationships.
• Makes appointments and assists with travel arrangements for attorneys.
• Work occasionally requires more than 35 to 40 hours per week to perform the essential duties of the position; may require irregular hours

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS:

• Works closely with administrative support staff. Maintains a team orientation towards work. Coordinates with support departments and performs overload typing, filing, photocopying, faxing, or reception relief as time permits and as requested by other attorneys or the office manager.
• Performs other related duties, as requested.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ability to read and write in order to skillfully proofread and perform minor editing (e.g., punctuation, grammar, spelling) of routine law office correspondence and legal case matters. Performs non-complex arithmetic calculations when verifying calculations on forms and documents. Maintains accurate, complete and up-to-date records and filing.
• Ability to accurately transcribe legal documents, correspondence and reports from rough draft, dictation or transcription at a level of 70 w.p.m.
• Possesses high level of technical competency on all Microsoft Office and various other job-related software packages and applications.
• Ability to organize and prioritize numerous tasks and complete them under strict time constraints.
• Ability to proofread typed material for grammatical, typographical and spelling errors.
• Possesses strong oral and written communication and interpersonal skills necessary in order to communicate successfully either in person, by phone or e-mail. Must be able to follow instructions very effectively from a diverse group of clients, attorneys and staff and provide information with ordinary courtesy and tact. Must be able to maintain discretion and confidentiality related to all functions.

EDUCATION:

• Minimum High school diploma required; Associate certificate or college degree preferred. Minimum of five (5) years on-the-job experience necessary in order to gain an understanding of law office policies and procedures and produce accurate legal documents with limited supervision.

BENEFITS:

• Comprehensive healthcare, dental, vision, and prescription plans.
• Commuter, HSA and FSA spending accounts
• Short-term and long-term disability and life insurance coverage
• 401k and Pension Plan
• 22 PTO Days
• 11 paid holidays
• Employee Referral Bonus ($3,000.00)

EEO STATEMENT: Duane Morris is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please contact us at 215-979-1000.

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Disclaimer: The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not a contract or employment agreement and is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of all functions, responsibilities or requirements. In addition, Duane Morris reserves the right to amend, suspend or terminate any benefit plan, in whole or in part, at any time. The authority to make such changes rests with the Plan Administrator