Litigation Practice Assistant
Job ID: 8237
Updated: Jan 2, 2025
Location: Los Angeles, CA, United States
Category: Legal Secretary/Practice Asst
About Kirkland & Ellis
At Kirkland & Ellis, we are united in our ambition and drive to move forward. We share core values that help us achieve excellence: collaboration, talent empowerment, service, inclusion, respect and gratitude. Our people are our greatest asset, and we invest in the brightest talent and encourage a diversity of perspectives and strengths to create dynamic teams that operate at the pinnacle of their field. Our talented professionals show up every day knowing they will engage in meaningful work, continuous learning and professional development.
As one of the world’s leading law firms, we serve a broad range of clients with market-leading practices. We handle the most complicated and sophisticated legal matters because we don’t just meet industry standards, we create them. We bring innovation and entrepreneurialism to every engagement and, as a result, have long-standing client relationships with leading global corporations and financial sponsors. With over 6,500 employees (including approximately 4,000 lawyers) operating from 21 offices across the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, we are one of the largest law firms in the world and a top financial performer.
Essential Job Functions
The Century City office is seeking an experienced litigation Practice Assistant with a service-first mindset to support 6-7 attorneys and paralegals. Administrative responsibilities include complex calendar management, meeting coordination, travel planning, submitting expense reports, interfacing with high-touch clients and acting as the primary point of contact with internal partners, associates, and staff on the attorneys’ behalf, new business intake; tracking and entering attorney time, and other duties as requested. Some personal work may be required. Technical responsibilities include creating, editing and formatting legal documents, spreadsheets and presentations; document comparison, transcription and proofreading, creating binders, drafting and sending correspondence preparing and efiling court documents, familiarity with state and federal compliance rules and Westlaw, and claim charts proficiency.
Strong candidates for the position are well-organized, demonstrate the ability to handle multiple tasks and competing priorities, can leverage deep knowledge of litigation best practices to anticipate attorney needs, is responsive and provides proactive status updates, has organizational savvy and can navigate formal and informal channels to deliver the best outcomes, consistently applies good judgement, and can work in a fast-paced environment without compromising quality. This role may require occasional travel for trial and other business support needs.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
(This list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented and changed as necessary.)
Document Preparation: | Uses word processing and document management software (Microsoft 365, including PowerPoint and Excel, Workshare Compare, Adobe, DMS, etc.) to prepare and revise, format and finalize a wide variety of documents, including correspondence, memoranda, and legal materials. In conjunction with the preparation of such documents, the Practice Assistant is responsible for proofreading, correctly formatting and questioning any inconsistencies in all materials. Transcribes dictation, meeting minutes and/or taped records of conferences and meetings.
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Administrative Support: | Processes conflict checks and New Client/New Matter forms (KENI); enters attorney time (Carpe Diem); processes expense reports (Chrome River); receives, places, and screens telephone calls; schedules conference calls; coordinates and schedules travel arrangements through web-based application; calendar management (Outlook). Conducts internet research as directed by attorneys.
Interacts regularly with departments within the Firm to facilitate highest possible legal support to assignments and clients, including Accounting General Services (mail); Conference Center (scheduling/arranging meetings and requested accommodations); Calendar Court Services; Reprographics Department; Digital Services, etc. Exposure to deposition and hearing prep preferred.
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File Maintenance: | Establishes and maintains paper and electronic files in compliance with current Firm policies utilizing the Firm’s LegalKEY system and Document Management System.
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Customer/Client Service and Teamwork: | Provides assistance to Practice Assistants
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Professional Demeanor: | Exhibits professionalism by recognizing and adhering to all Firm policies, including attendance guidelines, dress code, security measures, and confidentiality requirements. Maintains positive, professional, courteous and flexible demeanor when dealing with clients and colleagues. Performs complex Practice Assistant activities which may be highly confidential and require discretion and diplomacy.
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Reporting Relationships: | Reports directly to the Practice Assistant Manager. On a day-to-day basis, works primarily under the direction of an assigned group of attorneys and/or paralegals. |
Qualifications & Requirements
Education, Work Experience, Skills
This position is a 3/2 hybrid schedule. The hours for this position are 8:30 am - 5:00 pm with flexibility for some overtime and travel, as required. Must have 5+ years of litigation experience. Must have high school diploma. Bachelor’s degree or Paralegal certificate preferred.
Technologies/Software
Advanced proficiency in MS Word and formatting documents with a minimum typing speed of 55+ words per minute required. Adobe, PowerPoint and Excel experience are also strongly preferred.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
This job operates in a professional office setting. Business casual attire is required.
Compensation
The base salary range below represents the low and high end of the salary range for this position in Los Angeles. This range may differ based on your geographic location and cost of living considerations. At Kirkland & Ellis, we consider compensation more than just a base salary. We offer an exceptional range of flexible benefits including comprehensive healthcare, paid time off, and retirement. We also offer personal support and tailored learning and development opportunities all designed to help you realize your full potential both in life and at work.
Compensation Range:
Los Angeles: $60,000 - $95,000
How to Apply
Thank you for your interest in Kirkland & Ellis LLP. To complete an application and submit your resume, please click "Apply Now."
Equal Employment Opportunity
The Firm will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records and criminal histories consistent with local laws.
All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.
Closing Statement
The www.kirkland.com job postings and recruiting mailbox are for candidates only. If you are a recruiter, search firm or employment agency, and do not have a signed contract with Kirkland & Ellis LLP ("K&E") and have not been asked specifically to submit candidates, you will not be compensated in any way for your referral of a candidate even if K&E hires the candidate. Direct contact with K&E employees in an attempt to present candidates is inappropriate and will be a factor in determining any future professional relationship with the Firm. #LI-NM1 #LI-Hybrid
