Legal Administrative Assistant

  • Full-time

Company Description

You and Northwestern Mutual. We believe relationships are built on trust. That our lives and our work matter. And we’re much stronger together than we are apart. These beliefs launched our company nearly 160 years ago. Today, they’re just a few of the reasons why people choose to build careers at Northwestern Mutual.

Our business is about helping people secure their financial futures, and that starts with putting people first – our clients, our employees and our field representatives. Northwestern Mutual is known for financial strength. We’re strong, innovative and growing. Come grow with us.

Job Description

At Northwestern Mutual, we believe relationships are built on trust. That our lives and our work matter. These beliefs launched our company nearly 160 years ago. Today, they're just a few of the reasons why people choose to build careers at Northwestern Mutual.

We're strong and growing. In a company with such a long and storied history, this may be the most exciting and important time to be a part of Northwestern Mutual. We're strong, innovative and growing.

We invest in our people. We provide opportunities for employees to grow themselves, their career and in turn, our business.

We care.  We make a positive difference in our communities. Nationally, thousands have benefitted from our support of research and programs to fight childhood cancer. Each year, our Foundation, employees and financial representatives donate time, talent and financial support to causes they're passionate about.

 

We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

 

What's the role?

As a Legal Administrative Assistant, you will work as part of an Administrative/Paraprofessional Team supporting a group of paralegals and/or attorneys to continually grow in understanding and ability to perform key administrative/paraprofessional activities in a law department environment.  Essential job functions include:

 

  • Receives, reviews, modifies, and produces general correspondence and complex documents using advanced word processing applications.
  • Demonstrates proficiency using Law Department systems for document management (e.g., FileSite) and matter management (e.g., CounselLink) and is capable of proper document indexing and retrieval.
  • Demonstrates advanced proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite products (e.g., drafting and editing PowerPoint presentations; tracking changes and redlining documents in Word) and facilitates principals’ use of their equipment and software applications.
  • Works with limited guidance and instruction, allowing principals to rely on efficient performance and timely completion of delegated tasks; produces high quality work product.
  • Screens telephone calls; applies judgment to determine urgency and possible alternative sources for response.
  • Opens, stamps, and reads incoming mail.  Locates and attaches pertinent file material and sorts for principals in order of priority.  When principals are out of the office, handles high priority mail by acknowledging receipt of information and initiates preparation of response where possible and appropriate to minimize effect of principals’ absence or refers to another attorney or paralegal to facilitate necessary action.
  • Manages document production according to priority and attorney and paralegal deadlines. 
  • Schedules conferences and meetings, and maintains own and principals’ calendars. Maintains daily and monthly records for principals, including travel expenses, legal fees, and CLE.  Arranges travel accommodations and receives instructions for maintenance of smooth workflow during principals’ absence.
  • Coordinates the expeditious handling of legal documents and maintains follow up to meet deadlines.  Is accountable for the accuracy and completeness of legal documents including exhibits, attachments, etc.
  • Works with Information Management (Records) Team to open/close files.  Performs day-to-day electronic and paper file management including maintenance of active case/matter files according to the procedures of the Information Management Team. 
  • Establishes strong working relationships with other Legal Administrative Assistants on the Administrative/Paraprofessional Team in order to assist one another during peak periods and absences.  Develops general knowledge of other specialized practice team skills.
  • Provides paraprofessional assistance in an effort to help the principals become highly efficient and focus on substantive legal work.  Requires extensive job knowledge of principals’ legal focus and case matters.  Strong writing and business communication skills to compose correspondence, draft documents, and communicate with clients.  Demands strong analytical skills to review and interpret complex data and information in a variety of forms in order to handle special projects (e.g., PowerPoint presentations, coordination of discovery responses and transaction closings, and special communications with parties external to the Law Department).
  • Becomes familiar with the case/matter issues through correspondence review and filing function, and exercises high level of judgment/discretion within range of delegated responsibilities.
  • Conducts legal research and coordinates with Legal Research Team to locate various statutes, regulations, cases, rules, legal articles, other research materials; Shephardizes cases and rulings as requested by principals.
  • Maintains high level of technical proficiency and digital savvy especially related to the use of Microsoft Office products and legal document/matter management systems. 
  • Manages special administrative/paraprofessional special assignments.

 

 

Bring Your Best!  What this role needs:

 

 

  • Requires high school diploma; Bachelor’s degree preferred.
  • Minimum of three years of legal secretary experience or executive assistant experience required
  • Relevant experience or demonstrated administrative and technical skills required including digital savvy.
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite required including experience preparing and editing PowerPoint presentations.
  • Work collaboratively within a team and interact harmoniously with others; ability and willingness to adapt to changing business demands.
  • Maintain strict confidentiality while exercising tact and diplomacy in dealing with others.
  • Interact in a professional and courteous manner with internal/external clients and employees at all times; professional appearance required.
  • Deliver superior service to all internal and external customers, and exemplary written/verbal communication skills required.
  • Successfully perform position requirements with excellent organizational, time-management and prioritization skills.
  • Work efficiency and accurately, and produce quality final work product.
  • Review/interpret complex data and information in a variety of forms, anticipate needs and take initiative.

 

Req ID: 10461
Position Type: Regular Full Time
Education Experience: High School Diploma/ GED Required
Employment Experience: 3-5 years
Licenses/Certifications:
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Posting Date: 01/10/2017

Qualifications

Additional Information