Freelance Litigation Legal Assistant

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is looking for a Freelance Litigation Legal Assistant to join our team in our Seattle office. 

This is a temporary position lasting six to nine months. This is an essential role that will require five days in-office. 

This position is responsible for providing Litigation legal secretarial/administrative support to our Partners and Associates. Focus on client billing, new matter intake, revising contracts, file maintenance, client contact, coordinating schedules, making travel arrangements and providing secretarial and administrative assistance as needed.

At Davis Wright Tremaine, you will find challenging assignments, opportunities for professional growth and community involvement, and a culture of inclusion. DWT fosters inclusiveness and authenticity. Regardless of position, everyone here has a voice and the support is unparalleled.

On a typical day you will:

• Provide Litigation specific support
• Draft, proof, edit, and prepare correspondence, legal documents, and court filings within strict deadlines
• Coordinate with docketing support teams and confirm accuracy of docketing deadlines
• Schedule and arrange resources for depositions, mediations, arbitrations, and trial preparation
• Effectively coordinate court filings with the West Coast Managing Clerk team
• Enter attorney time, process and review monthly bills. High focus on client billing including primary liaison for attorney with the Accounting Department as it relates to client bills
• Schedule appointments and maintain calendars; anticipate conflicts and proactively manage schedule changes. Make travel arrangements and set up conference calls
• Maintain correspondence and other legal documents, both paper form and in electronic format (through NetDocs document management system)
• Take initiative, with attorneys’ permission, to review and save e-mail, delegate to other parties or escalate to attorney for action as appropriate
• Respond to attorney/clients needs with a sense of urgency, ensuring resolution with appropriate follow-up, (e.g., via telephone, e-mail and in person)
• Work with attorneys to prioritize, organize and relieve them of administrative tasks
• Schedule messenger, overnight delivery or courier services as needed; provide assistance to other attorneys and staff on other projects as needed
• Maintain regular and consistent attendance and punctuality. Adhere to schedule by being timely on breaks, lunches and meetings

Join us if you have:

• 5+ years’ experience as a legal secretary or executive assistant required; familiarity with law firm billing processes is a plus
• A high school diploma or GED certification, required
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, with strong word processing and computer skills. Experience with MS365 a plus. Proofreading, NetDocs and PowerPoint skills desired.
• Ability to demonstrate flexibility with competing priorities in a face paced environment
• Demonstrate expertise in department-specific topics, procedures and software, (e.g., Aderant Billing, new matter intake and conflicts procedures)
• Demonstrate ability to type 75 wpm on word processing equipment with a high degree of accuracy
• Exceptional organizational skills required; ability to multi-task, prioritize tasks, work under pressure and meet conflicting deadlines
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate with finesse, use tact, diplomacy and discretion with firm contacts and clients
• Willing to work in a team-oriented, service environment; display willingness to share firm and technical knowledge with others
• High degree of attention to detail as well as initiative to learn new skills that will contribute to enhanced performance of their role
• Ability to pay close attention to detail and be highly organized and accurate
• Strong time management skills
• A highly professional demeanor and appearance – adhere to dress code
• Firm commitment to providing customer service excellence

Who We Are 

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is an AmLaw 100 law firm with 9 offices nationwide. We are relentlessly committed to client service and look for candidates who share that commitment. At DWT, client service means having empathy for each client’s and each lawyer’s work and personal pressures, business objectives, and legal needs; anticipating their needs; and having the capabilities and commitment to deliver what matters most to them.

Additional benefits include:

• First Stop Health Telemedicine: Speak with a licensed physician or mental health counselor 24/7, consultations covered by the firm
• TELUS Health Employee Assistance Program: Receive support with mental, financial, physical, and emotional wellbeing 
• Voluntary Pet Insurance
• Milk Stork: Virtual lactation consulting, breast milk shipping and nutritional testing covered by the firm
• Wellness Benefits:
• Peloton App
• Headspace App

Washington State   

The hourly range for this position in Washington is $41.54 to $51.28. Actual pay will be adjusted based on the candidate’s education, training, experience and other job-related factors permitted by law. Paid sick leave is accrued on a biweekly basis at a rate of 1 hour per 30 hours worked. Temporary employees working at least 30 hours per week may be eligible for health insurance with an optional HSA, dental insurance, vision care, telemedicine and virtual short term solution based counseling services, Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, sick time, and an employee assistance program. 

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP fosters a culture where all talented individuals—including those who are traditionally underrepresented in the legal profession—can have, and can see, paths to success.  Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion sits on four pillars: Community, Growth, Education, and Engagement.  Learn more about the firm’s commitment to DEI here: www.dwt.com/dei.  

Davis Wright Tremaine provides reasonable accommodations for those who need them to complete the application or recruiting process and for employees who need reasonable accommodations to perform the essential functions of their positions due to a disability or for religious reasons. If you need to request accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please email [email protected].  

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