Practice Assistant

About Kirkland & Ellis

At Kirkland & Ellis, we don’t just meet the standard for legal excellence — we set it. Our culture is built on teamwork, ingenuity and an unwavering commitment to continuous growth. We tackle the most sophisticated legal challenges with bold ideas and innovative solutions, powered by the exceptional experience and ambition of our 7,000+ people, including 4,000+ attorneys, across 22 offices worldwide. Our dedicated professionals share our lawyers’ commitment to excellence and show up each day to do meaningful work that helps drive global business, investment and innovation forward.

What You’ll Do

The Houston office is seeking a service-oriented practice assistant to provide support to groups of attorneys and/or paralegals. This includes managing busy calendars, coordinating meetings and travel arrangements, interfacing with clients, Firm committees and departments, both on the telephone and in person; new business intake; and providing administrative support, including personal business. Additional responsibilities include creating, revising and formatting legal documents, spreadsheets and presentations using the Firm’s software (Office 2016, Adobe and DMS); document comparison, transcription and proofreading. Answering phones, entering attorney time, and managing expense reimbursements along with other general secretarial duties and projects as assigned. This position requires a professional, organized self-starter with the ability to interact with staff and clients at all levels in a fast-paced, challenging legal environment. A proactive work ethic, the ability to anticipate needs, strong decision making skills, attention to detail, and a flexible schedule are a must.

Document Preparation:
Uses word processing and document management software (Microsoft Office 2010, includingPowerPoint & Excel, Workshare Compare, Adobe, DMS, etc.) to prepare and revise, format andfinalize a wide variety of documents, including correspondence, memoranda, and legal materials. Inconjunction with the preparation of such documents, the Practice Assistant is responsible forproofreading, correctly formatting and questioning any inconsistencies in all materials. Transcribesdictation, minutes of meetings or taped records of conferences and meetings.

Administrative Support:
Processes conflict checks and New Client/New Matter forms (KENI); enters time (Carpe Diem);processes expense reports (Chrome River); receives, places, and screens telephone calls; schedulesconference calls (Inter-Call); coordinates and schedules travel arrangements through web-basedapplication; maintains attorney/legal assistant calendars (Outlook Calendars). Conducts internetresearch as directed by attorneys. Interacts on a daily basis with Departments within the Firm tofacilitate highest possible legal support to assignments and clients, including Accounting (checkrequests); General Services (mail, FedEx, UPS, messengers); Conference Center/Catering(scheduling/arranging meetings and requested accommodations); Reprographics Department; DigitalServices, etc.

File Maintenance:
Establishes and maintains paper and electronic files in compliance with current firm policies utilizingthe Firm’s LegalKEY system and Document Management System.
 

Customer/Client Service and Teamwork:
Provides assistance to other Practice Assistants within assigned teams whenever necessary to meetFirm and client needs; organizes and prioritizes workload so as to most efficiently enable andfacilitate team effort to accomplish Firm and client goals. Fosters professional, cooperative andsupportive relationships with peers, superiors and clients. Anticipates and identifiesclients’/colleagues’ current and future needs. Shares information and offers ideas and solutions in ateam environment.
 

Professional Demeanor:
Exhibits professionalism by recognizing and adhering to all Firm policies, including attendanceguidelines, dress code, security measures, and confidentiality requirements. Maintains positive,professional, courteous and flexible demeanor when dealing with clients and colleagues. Performscomplex practice assistant’s activities which may be highly confidential and sensitive, and requirediscretion and diplomacy.

What You’ll Bring

Education, Work Experience, Skills

The ability to work the core business hours with flexibility for overtime, as required.•Must have 3+ years of litigation practice assistant or administrative experience in the legalindustry.•Advanced proficiency in MS Word and formatting documents required. Adobe, PowerPoint andExcel experience are also strongly preferred.•Works cooperatively and collaboratively with others to achieve shared goals and objectives•Effectively communicates with others by obtaining and sharing information in a clear, concise andtimely manner.

Technologies/Software
Maintains and applies the appropriate level of technical job knowledge, skills and capabilitiesnecessary to fulfill job requirements and support the Firm.

How to Apply

Thank you for your interest in Kirkland & Ellis LLP. To complete an application and submit your resume, please click "Apply Now."

Don't meet every job requirement? That's okay! If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't perfectly fit every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right person for this role or others at Kirkland.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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. #LI-Hybrid #LI-SB1