ATTORNEY/LAWYER
Lawyers (also known as attorneys or barristers) study and interpret the law for the purpose of advising clients and representing their clients' interests in legal matters and court proceedings. Lawyers often specialize in a particular area of law, such as litigation, corporate, probate, tax or intellectual property. Many work long hours to achieve partner status and to attain a strong client base and build relationships.
Skills & Experience:
Formal education includes a 4 year college degree, 3 years in law school and successful completion of a written bar examination.
Classifications: Partner or Equity Partner; Associate; General Counsel
LEGAL ASSISTANT/PARALEGAL
The terms "paralegal" and "legal assistant" are used interchangeably in the legal industry and in this legal industry and in this section.
American Bar Associations Definition of Legal Assistant:
"A legal assistant or paralegal is a person qualified by education, training or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible." ABA, 1997
Classifications:
Case Clerk
Entering the legal industry as a case clerk is a great way to get "in the door" and learn the ropes. This entry level position usually requires either a Paralegal Certificate, Bachelor's Degree or 1-2 years of legal experience. Provides support to attorneys, paralegals and other legal staff. Duties include file management, database data entry, bates-stamping documents, proofreading and general office support. Many firms hire case clerks on a temp-to-hire basis.
Junior Legal Assistant (2-3 years of experience)
Provides support to attorneys, paralegal team or senior paralegals. Duties include basic research, summarizing depositions, document review, coding or imaging, discovery or trial preparation, computerized database work, file management and may include some client contact.
Mid-Level Legal Assistant (4-7 years of experience)
Mid-level legal assistants conduct legal research, provides investigative support, meets with clients and witnesses, drafts responses to pre-trial discovery, assists with trial preparation, writes legal memoranda and correspondence, summarizes depositions and may attend depositions and trials to provide support to the attorney.
Senior Legal Assistant or Supervising Legal Assistant (8+ years of experience)
Attorneys rely on senior legal assistants to perform more complicated research matters, participate in strategic legal preparation, coordinate off-site facilities, oversee pre-trial discovery process and supervise team of paralegals, case clerks or temporary personnel. Senior Paralegals should have extensive experience in specialized area of law, have strong leadership and multi-tasking abilities.
LEGAL SECRETARY
General Duties & Responsibilities:
rovides legal support to attorneys, law clerks or paralegals. General duties include the preparation of legal documents, memoranda, correspondence and court filings; maintains calendar; schedules depositions, conferences and meetings; assists with legal procedures, such as closings, trial preparation and discovery; prepares timesheets and billing; acts as a liaison to clients, outside counsel, opposing attorneys, court personnel and expert witnesses.
Skills & Experience:
Requisite skills usually includes: Minimum typing speed of 75 wpm, although 80+ is preferred. Previous secretarial experience in a legal environment and practice area.
Knowledge of legal terminology and strong grammar skills.
Excellent organizational and communication skills.
Ability to multi-task, work independently and handle deadlines.
Computer proficiency on leading software used in law firms, such as MS Word, Corel Word Perfect, PC Docs, iManage, Outlook, Legal Solutions, Excel or Access.
Classifications:
Legal Secretary Trainee
Provides general administrative and clerical support to legal secretaries and/or paralegals. As a trainee you are provided direction and guidance in learning the role of a legal secretary. Duties include typing correspondence and legal memoranda, sending faxes, preparing timesheets and performing general clerical duties, such as file management and indexing. You will also learn legal terminology, document preparation, court procedures, time and billing, calendaring and overall management of a legal desk.
Legal Secretary
Provides legal support for attorneys, paralegals or other law staff. Typical duties include transcription, typing legal documents, preparing correspondence and memoranda, scheduling depositions, maintaining calendars, coordinating meetings, making travel arrangements, handling incoming calls, sending faxing or e-mails, preparing bills and acting as liaison to clients, co-counsel, court personnel and other legal professionals. Legal Secretaries have a strong familiarity of the legal system, court rules and procedures, terminology and document preparation.
Senior Legal Secretary
In addition to Legal Secretary duties mentioned above, many secretaries perform administrative and management duties. Secretaries with 7+ years of legal experience are also relied upon to handle sensitive and confidential matters, act as a "trainer" or "mentor" to newer or less-experienced secretaries, supervise a secretarial team or assist with firm administrative duties. Many experienced secretaries also perform paralegal-related duties, such as assisting the attorney with drafting legal correspondence and memoranda, case management or research, particularly in small to mid-sized firms.
ADMINISTRATOR / OFFICE MANAGER
Duties & Responsibilities: Although these vary depending on the size of firm, an Administrator is responsible for overseeing and managing the daily operation of a law office or legal department. Duties may include some or all of these areas: human resource development, benefits administration, facilities management, capital and operating budget analysis, policy evaluation and implementation, technology assessment, provide practice management guidelines and participate in strategic business planning. An Administrator works closely with an Administrative or Managing Partner, Business Manager or Chief Operating Officer.
Skills & Experience: Administrators customarily have least a minimum of five years experience in law office or legal department environment and have strong supervisory, analytical, organizational and interpersonal skills. Degree is preferred, although commensurate experience is considered.
ATTORNEY RECRUITING MANAGER
Duties & Responsibilities: Responsible for overseeing firm's recruitment program, associate attorney orientation and training. Also participates in attorney retention program, compensation issues, development of recruitment strategies, assessment of practice groups' needs and expectations, and prepares budget for attorney staff.
Skills & Experience: Bachelors Degree plus previous law firm and recruiting experience. J.D. a plus. Strong organizational, leadership and communication skills; ability to work with all levels of individuals, inside and outside the firm; and supervisory experience is preferred.
CONTROLLER / FINANCIAL MANAGER
Duties & Responsibilities: General responsibilities are to oversee firm's financial and shareholder accounting, auditing and overall budget. Duties include preparation of accounting reports, capital and operating budgets; development of financial controls; management of firm's billing system; implementation of accounting procedures; and supervision of daily operations of accounting department.
Skills & Experience: Strong accounting background, CPA preferred, and minimum five years experience in law firm or professional services firm.
HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
Duties & Responsibilities: Depending on the size of firm, duties may include some or all of these areas: Staff recruiting and supervision, work coordination, compensation and benefit administration, development and implementation of policies/procedures, oversee training programs and act as liaison between attorneys, support staff and other management.
Skills & Experience: Requirements customarily comprise of a minimum of three to five years supervisory experience and previous human resource background in a legal environment or related service organization, excellent leadership abilities, strong interpersonal and written/verbal skills. Thorough knowledge of labor laws and employee relations is a must. Degree or human resource certification preferred.
INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGER
Duties & Responsibilities: Primary responsibility is to oversee firm's technology uses and computer equipment needs. Duties include implementation of firm's strategy for technological systems; establishment of policies and training procedures for end users; coordination of technology support efforts; recommendation of software and hardware; management of department and staff; and responsible for overseeing firm's equipment purchasing.
Skills & Experience: Firms prefer (although not always required) five plus years in a professional environment; at least four years management experience; BA or BS, excellent computer and database knowledge; and strong communication, organizational and leadership skills.
MARKETING MANAGER
Duties & Responsibilities: Responsibilities include marketing strategy and planning, training, research and public relations. The Marketing Director deals directly with the attorneys to plan and implement individual and practice group marketing activities; monitor and assess effectiveness of marketing initiatives; coordinate external relationships (advertising agencies, public relations); assist with establishing firm marketing guidelines; and may also plan firm retreats, conferences or seminars.
Skills & Experience: Three to five years' law firm or professional service marketing experience; Bachelor of Arts degree in communications, business administration or related area.
FACILITIES / OFFICE SERVICES MANAGER
Duties & Responsibilities: Responsibilities include overall management of the firm's day-to-day operations, including maintenance, security, vendor relations, copy and fax center, AV systems, conference facilities and catering, and relocations of furniture and personnel.
Skills & Experience: Experience with reviewing, negotiating and monitoring service contracts, leases and purchases; knowledge of telecommunications, operations, safety, relocations, space planning and equipment maintenance. Ability to prioritize, coordinate and supervise effectively. Requires strong organizational, supervisory and communication skills; facilities management experience in law firm or professional service industry; degree preferred.
DOCKET / CALENDAR CLERK
Duties & Responsibilities: Responsible for monitoring and maintaining a law firm's calendar for litigation matters; reviews incoming mail and documents to be calendared; enters dates onto a database system; generates reports for distribution; acts as liaison to staff and attorneys regarding docketing matters; keeps abreast of court procedures and filing requirements.
Skills & Experience: Must possess strong database experience, knowledge of federal and state court rules, excellent communication skills and attention to detail. Prior calendaring and litigation experience is usually required. Degree or equivalent experience preferred.
RECORDS CLERK
Duties & Responsibilities: Provides records management support generally in a centralized work environment. Duties include creating, maintaining and updating legal files; data entry; indexing; retrieving and storing files.
Skills & Experience: Requirements include strong organizational and communication skills; type 35 wpm; previous records experience in a law firm environment; computer proficiency and ability to work under pressure.
LIBRARY ASSISTANT
Duties & Responsibilities: Assists with all aspects of library services, including maintaining internal law library, referencing, researching, inter-library loan requests, updating and order books and may assist with budgeting matters.
Skills & Experience: Requirements generally include a Masters of Library Science degree; familiarization with Lexis, Westlaw, Internet Explorer, legal databases and CD-Rom products. Must possess excellent oral and written communications skills and the ability to work independently.
