Legal Assistant - Insurance and Litigation

Phelps Dunbar Llp - Raleigh, NC

Full-time - Mid Level

Raleigh, NC

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

Phelps Dunbar LLP is an AmLaw 200 full-service law firm that is currently seeking a Legal Assistant to support a group of attorneys within the Insurance and Litigation practice groups in Raleigh, NC. This position involves performing complex secretarial, administrative, and substantive legal duties to ensure the attorneys operate efficiently and effectively. The Legal Assistant will leverage technology resources to identify the most efficient methods for completing tasks and will be responsible for preparing documents by formatting, inputting, editing, retrieving, copying, printing, and transmitting text, data, and graphics using various office software applications. The role requires a strong understanding of legal processes to facilitate the accurate preparation of client documents and to meet filing or closing deadlines. The Legal Assistant will prepare and coordinate e-filings, as well as filings in state and federal courts when necessary. Additional responsibilities include handling incoming and outgoing mail, faxes, and scanning documents, ensuring that all documents are saved and filed appropriately in both electronic and paper formats. The Legal Assistant will also maintain the daily calendar for each attorney, which includes scheduling appointments, meetings, and travel arrangements, as well as managing Outlook contacts. In addition to these duties, the Legal Assistant will open and close files, assist with conflicts checks, support attorneys with timesheets and billing matters, and request reimbursements for attorneys through ChromeRiver and for client costs through Accounts Payable. Maintaining a good working rapport with clients and court personnel is essential, requiring discretion and sound judgment. Regular and predictable attendance is crucial, and flexibility to work overtime may be necessary depending on the demands of the Litigation practice.

Responsibilities

• Leverage technology resources to ensure attorneys operate efficiently and effectively.
• Prepare documents by formatting, inputting, editing, retrieving, copying, printing, and transmitting text, data, and graphics.
• Prepare and coordinate e-filings and filings in state and federal courts as needed.
• Handle incoming and outgoing mail, faxes, and scan documents.
• Ensure documents are saved and filed into appropriate workspaces/folders in FileSite and paper files.
• Maintain the daily calendar of each attorney, including scheduling appointments, meetings, and travel arrangements.
• Open and close files and assist with conflicts checks.
• Provide support to attorneys with timesheets and regular billing matters.
• Request reimbursement for attorneys through ChromeRiver and for client costs through Accounts Payable.
• Maintain a good working rapport with clients and court personnel.

Requirements

• A minimum of a high school diploma or GED is required.
• An associate degree, certificate, or related education is preferred.
• Five or more years of secretarial experience in a law firm environment is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of office software applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and PDF.
• Working knowledge of legal practices, terminology, documents, and court procedures.
• Ability to interact and communicate effectively in a business environment.
• Excellent typing, spelling, grammar, proofreading, transcription, and general clerical skills.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with legal terminology and court procedures.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, including personal computers, copiers, and multi-function printers.