Practice Assistant

About Kirkland & Ellis

Kirkland & Ellis LLP is a preeminent, full-service law firm with offices around the world and a staff as diverse as the practice areas we support. Our clients range from Fortune 100 companies to medium and small corporations, financial institutions, and private equity firms.  Known for our commitment to excellence, Kirkland strives to provide superior service to our clients as well as our fellow employees. From Information Technology to Human Resources, Paralegal Services to Business Development, Kirkland offers non-attorney professionals challenging careers in a variety of functional areas. Whether starting or growing your career, Kirkland can offer a performance-driven culture filled with bright and innovative teams of co-workers.

Essential Job Functions

POSITION OVERVIEW

The successful candidate must have a proven track record of providing the highest level support to a senior level partner or executive who is involved in many disciplines in addition to the primary professional responsibilities.  The candidate must have the ability and initiative to creatively solve problems, for example locating necessary sources for information to advance matters when complete information is not available, or solving operational problems by working with related service providers to meet support needs.

The Practice Assistant will provide Executive Assistant high-level administrative support by arranging and scheduling a very busy calendar, handling informational requests, performing a wide range of clerical functions, handling very busy phones, preparing email and correspondence, receiving visitors and arranging conference calls.  Duties include, but are not limited to: 

• Answer phone inquiries, direct calls, and provide basic institutional knowledge to callers.
• Arrange extensive travel itineraries and all correspondence related as needed.
• Plan/organize and implement events such as meetings, business luncheons or client dinners as well as liaise with multiple internal departments.
• Manage Partner’s schedule and act as liaison for the team.
• Prepare reports, presentations and data, as well as maintain files (electronic and hard copy), records and correspondence/conference room needs for meetings.
• Handle confidential information sensitively, organize and maintain files and information.
• Prepare information and research for executive needs.
• Help plan company events, meetings and team building activities or special projects.
• Performing complex secretarial activities which may be highly confidential and sensitive and require diplomacy and discretion.
• Interface and establish ongoing positive business relationship with clients.
• Communicate effectively on busy, multiple telephone lines.
• Type, format, edit and finalize documents.
• Compose routine letters and memoranda and prepare reports.
• Assist in the preparation of time-keeping, travel, expense reports and other administrative records.
• Conduct internet research as directed by attorney(s).
• Make travel arrangements.
• Calendar maintenance.
• Filing and general secretarial duties as assigned.
• Cover for other Practice Assistants in "Pod" (assigned workstation or cluster), as needed.

Qualifications & Requirements

A minimum of 5 years recent experience as an executive assistant is required.  Candidate must have excellent written and oral communication skills, a strong customer service orientation, a proactive work ethic, attention to detail, excellent attendance and punctuality as well as availability for overtime evenings and weekends.  Candidate must have the ability to think ahead, be proactive and exercise sound judgment. Strong day-to-day organizational skills are essential, including the ability to analyze, assess and prioritize work assignments.  Proficiency working in MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel is required as well as a minimum typing of 50+ wpm. The candidate must be comfortable in a fast paced environment; self-directed and able to work without supervision and be energetic and able to tackle new projects and ideas.

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

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.