Legal Practice Assistant - Municipal Law (Irvine)

Best Best & Krieger LLP is a nationally recognized law firm focused on delivering effective and client-service oriented solutions to complex legal issues facing public agencies, businesses and individuals across the U.S. BBK is proud to trace the firm's success back to the groundwork of professionalism and community service laid by its founders 135 years ago. Today, with nearly 250 attorneys in offices throughout California and in Oregon and Washington, D.C., we efficiently and meaningfully assist our clients with complex, multi-disciplinary issues and provide creative solutions.
At BBK, we place a high degree of value in creating and nurturing a work environment that attracts the best talent and reflects our commitment to culture, community and equal opportunity. We are proud of our workplace culture, where we respect and value our colleagues for their unique perspectives and experiences.

SUMMARY: Best Best & Krieger is seeking a Legal Practice Assistant for the Irvine office. The position has a requirement of a minimum of one to two days per week onsite at the Irvine office. The Legal Practice Assistant will provide a high level of customer service and support while producing a high volume of consistently excellent work product. Maintain a general knowledge of the Firm’s practice areas and a specialized knowledge of Municipal law in order to enhance and promote communication between attorneys and their clients. Maintain positive contact with clients, attorneys and staff and observe confidentiality of client matters. Establish and maintains harmonious working relationships with supervisors, co-workers, and clients by performing the following essential functions and responsibilities. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Read and interpret Municipal documents, and input attorney edits.
• Interact with clients, attorneys, and other staff; schedule and prepare for meetings.
• Prepare all files/documents for meetings and attend required meetings.
• Notarize documents, and handle eRecording of documents.
• Track status of work using Firm's BigHand software, input daily updates, including correspondence, scheduled calls, and meetings.
• Prepare complex documents, correspondence, memoranda and other legal documents under the supervision of an attorney or paralegal.
• Open new files and client matters, request conflict of interest checks, and maintain all client and general files.
• Receive clients and visitors; maintain good public relations with clients; observe confidentiality of attorney-client relationships.
• Work closely with other administrative support staff (conflicts, records, office services, etc.).
• Handle special projects or additional responsibilities as assigned from time to time by the attorneys in the Department.
• Accept overflow work from attorneys in Litigation department.
• Organize and prioritize numerous tasks and complete them under time constraints.
• Participate in legal support team concept.
• Work with multiple attorneys with minimum supervision.
• Problem solve, use sound judgement and work well under pressure.
• Work within deadlines and effectively handle stress.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Effective interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Working knowledge of iManage and Microsoft Office Applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and etc.)
• Working knowledge of ProLaw and/or BigHand (preferred but not required).
• Ability to work independently and thrive as part of a team.
• Experience in Litigation is a plus.

SUCCESS FACTORS / JOB COMPETENCIES:

• Decision / Problem Solving Skills
• Team Player
• Initiative
• Organizational Skills
• Communication / Interpersonal Skills
• Innovation / Logical Reasoning Skills
• Client Services Skills
• Reliability

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent is preferred.
• Must have at least 5 years of relevant experience.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• This job operates in a professional office environment.

The reasonably expected pay scale for this position seeking a Legal Practice Assistant with 5 or more years of experience is $85,000 to $100,000 annually, non-exempt. The actual salary within that range will depend on the selected candidate’s years of experience. We encourage all interested candidates to apply.

Best Best & Krieger is an equal opportunity employer.