Job Description

Build your big career with the firm that does Big Law, Better McDermott Will & Schulte is a leading global law firm that brings together more than 1,750 lawyers and 1,400 business professionals. We celebrate excellence, collaboration, and community and have been recognized as a top workplace by USA Today, Fortune, The American Lawyer, Vault and others. We are also certified by Great Place to Work.

At McDermott, we don’t just invest in your future, we accelerate your career – wherever it may lead. That includes supporting you both in and outside of the office.

With us, you’ll find:

• A firm where everyone belongs: Our award-winning culture prioritizes warmth and authenticity — we encourage you to be yourself!

• Enthusiasm for all perspectives: We’re smarter and stronger when everyone has a voice and a seat at the table. We welcome unique viewpoints and ideas, and we make opportunities for you and your career to thrive.

• Support to feel your best and do your best: Wellness is integral to building a successful career and a rich life. That’s why our benefits program supports your physical, emotional, mental, and financial health, with an emphasis on work-life balance.

• Real rewards for real work: We offer generous compensation packages that recognize hard work and excellence.

The Legal Practice Specialist performs a variety of administrative support tasks for the assigned attorneys within the Litigation Practice Group. This role performs solutions-focused litigation support, including managing case data, coordinating multi-jurisdictional filings, supporting trial preparation and proceedings, and facilitating communication across teams. The Legal Practice Specialist works under general supervision and relies on instruction and guidelines to perform the essential functions of the job.

The qualified candidate must have substantive knowledge and understanding of General Litigation in a mid to large size law firm or corporation, demonstrating the very highest level of substantive knowledge and understanding of their practice area. This includes preparing documents, filing documents in state and federal courts,  acting as custodian of any and all documents, media and databases relevant to active cases, preparing for trials in federal court, and managing trial support. Candidate must have a working knowledge of and sufficient experience with a range of litigation support applications in addition to advanced working knowledge of current technology relevant to the practice area, including but not limited to: PACER, CM/ECF, Westlaw, Lexis. Candidate must be solutions oriented, display good judgment, and meet any challenge with maturity and a ‘can do’ attitude while anticipating issues that may arise. The successful candidate must have excellent analytical and organizational abilities, creativity, and initiative. The candidate must maintain high work quality while under pressure of competing deadlines and priorities. Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to interact effectively with staff, attorneys, clients, courts, and vendors are essential.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Support attorneys in all aspects of trial preparation, including handling logistics and support at trial, organizing exhibits and preparing hearing binders as necessary, and providing on-site assistance at trial
• Draft, edit, proofread, and redline documents (agreements, pleadings, spreadsheets, and presentations) and correspondence ensuring accuracy, grammar and formatting
• Proactively manage monthly client billing by reviewing and editing prebills; liaise with billing department to ensure compliance with client billing guidelines and bills are sent timely

• Oversee attorney expense reports and vendor invoices through to completion including, ensuring complete documentation is provided, prompt submission, and necessary follow-up
• Manage attorney Outlook email and calendar when requested to include providing reminders of responses needed and impending deadlines and obligations
• Organize and maintain attorney contacts and calendars, travel logistics, including scheduling flights, hotel, etc.
• Input, review, edit, and revise attorney time entries to ensure accuracy and timely submission

• Coordinate meeting logistics, including scheduling and reserving conference rooms; requesting equipment and food and beverage orders; preparing presentation materials; and welcoming visitors
• Establish and maintain paper and electronic files in compliance with current Firm policies utilizing the Firm’s Document Management System
• Manage client intake process, including generating client conflict inquiries, opening new matters and preparing engagement letters
• Maintain contact information and activities with clients and prospective clients in our CRM system
• Effectively leverage time by delegating administrative tasks to support team
• Proactively remind attorneys of impending deadlines and obligations
• Pull and organize docket filings & monitor dockets for relevant pleadings and conducting docket searches
• Communicate with the court regarding scheduling hearings and other administrative matters
• Prepare and E-file documents with federal and state courts, arbitration and dispute resolution bodies, and government agencies
• Manage large portfolio of cases and track deadlines 
• Provide administrative trial support, including maintaining exhibit lists and filing court documents 

Job Specifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or related legal work experience
• At least five (5) years of litigation experience
• Proficient knowledge of PACER and CM/ECF
• Proficient knowledge of court rules and civil procedures in State and Federal jurisdictions and electronic filing
• Proficient knowledge of trial procedures including managing databases, filing in various jurisdictions, and other aspects of trial preparation
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; professional demeanor and presentation
• Strong client service skills with high-level standards of excellence in work product to exceed client and Firm expectations
• Strong organizational skills, time management skills, and attention to detail
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and prioritize responsibilities
• Strong problem-solving skills with ability to take initiative and use good judgment and excellent follow-up skills
• Ability to maintain and handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion and diplomacy
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, use hands, reach with hands and arms, stoop, talk and hear

• Employee must occasionally lift up to twenty (20) pounds

Work Environment:

Typical indoor office environment

Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people within this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this job.