Legal Assistant - Litigation - Detroit

JOB DESCRIPTION

 POSITION:  Litigation Legal Assistant

 LOCATION:  Detroit

 JOB SUMMARY:

Under general direction, assists attorneys and paralegals in all facets of litigation including the discovery process, document collection and preservation, document review, document production, and maintaining the electronic case file. The work is specialized and requires knowledge of the preparation and processing requirements of legal documents, legal terminology, civil procedures and discovery, and the court system.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Compose a variety of correspondence and prepare legal documents for which knowledge of legal terminology, civil procedure and discovery is required.
• Open and maintain legal files according to accepted practices and Firm policy.
• Provide case management assistance and tracking of litigation.
• Format briefs, pleadings and other legal documents with a demonstrated ability to file legal documents both traditionally and by electronic filing.
• Maintain attorney calendar by planning and scheduling conferences, teleconferences, depositions, and travel; record and monitor court appearance dates, pleadings, and filing requirements; monitor evidence-gathering and discovery responses; stay current on changes in litigation requirements.
• Document and input attorney reimbursable expenses.
• Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of the job classification.
• Maintain client confidence by keeping attorney/client information confidential.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Possess excellent written and verbal skills.
• Possess excellent proofreading, grammar and editing skills.
• Responsible, organized, detail-oriented and a problem solver.
• Knowledgeable regarding federal and state court filings (including e-filing); able to generate TOC and TOA.
• Able to handle multiple tasks in timely manner.
• Comprehensive knowledge and experience with the following software programs preferred: Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint) and Adobe Professional; knowledge of SurePoint and Concur is also helpful.
• High production skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision. 
• Ability to interact professionally with individuals internally and externally (i.e. Firm employees, opposing counsel, Clerks).
• Ability to use good judgment to make decisions appropriate to level of responsibilities.
• Ability to learn new skills and systems quickly.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND/OR TRAINING:

• Experience with Asbestos Litigation is helpful.
• Minimum five years of litigation legal support.