Legal Practice Assistant

Vedder's Chicago office is seeking a Legal Practice Assistant. The Legal Practice Assistant provides support to transactional attorneys and paralegals in the firm’s Finance & Transactions practice group resulting in a high level of client service; document processing and editing; managing extensive and detailed travel arrangements; high volume processing of new business intake; preparing and submitting attorney expenses; inputting attorney time entries; handling extensive and intricate client billing; responding to client inquiries via phone and email; arranging meetings and conferences for internal groups and related to business development activities; coordinating calendars; monitoring incoming mail, faxes and e-mails; maintaining and updating client files and other tasks.

• Prepare and revise, format and finalize a wide variety of legal documents
• Assist attorneys with new client applications and conflict checks
• Accurately enter attorney time into timekeeping system to meet daily/weekly deadlines
• Establish and maintain paper and electronic client and administrative files in compliance with current Firm policies
• Interact on a daily basis with departments within the Firm to facilitate highest possible legal support
• Prepare and submit expense reports
• Work closely with Accounting Department staff to prepare client billings and receivables to meet client billing format and reporting requirements
• Proficiency with making and managing travel arrangements with assistance of travel agency to ensure all aspects of travel are made accurately and communicated effectively for extensive travel both in the U.S. and abroad (i.e., air, hotel, car, train, meeting rooms, travel memberships accounts and the like)
• Answer, screen and place phone calls to clients and other business associates and respond to client inquiries
• Open, review and route mail as directed
• Provide assistance to other Legal Practice Assistants within Firm whenever necessary to meet Firm and client needs

• Knowledge of corporate transaction legal practice, including closing processes
• Knowledge of legal terminology
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to deal courteously and effectively with others
• Ability to read, interpret and follow instructions
• Ability to work core business hours with flexibility for overtime, as required
• Personable, professional, detailed-oriented and a problem solver
• Able to prioritize tasks in a high-pressure environment
• Strong organizational skills combined with the ability to work independently and be resourceful with problem solving

• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Minimum of two (2) years of legal secretarial experience in a law firm required; experience as an Executive Assistant a plus
• Position also requires the ability to work under pressure to meet strict deadlines

Vedder Price P.C. is an equal opportunity employer. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability (where applicant is qualified to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations), medical condition, protected veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We participate in E-verify.

Applicants who are interested in applying for a position and require special assistance or an accommodation during the process due to a disability should contact the Vedder Recruiting Team at recruiting@vedder.com.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be proficient in the following software:

• Proficient in Word
• Adobe
• Excel