Legal Administrative Assistant Job at DLA Piper in Fort Worth

Summary

Legal Administrative Assistant (LAA) provides a wide range of administrative and clerical support to attorneys and legal teams. This role is essential in ensuring the smooth operation of the firm’s administrative functions and requires a high level of organization, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously. The LAA collaborates regularly with Legal Support Assistants (LSAs), Legal Executive Assistants (LEAs), and attorneys on various tasks and assignments, ensuring work is properly allocated and completed on time. The role requires a high level of flexibility and willingness to work in a fast‑paced environment where multiple projects may need to be prioritized for the firm’s attorneys. Projects often require high‑level technical skills with Microsoft Office programs or various types of legal software commonly seen in law firms.

Location

This position can sit in our Dallas office and offers a hybrid work schedule, working at least three days in the office.

Responsibilities

• Provides practice‑specific support to multiple associates, partners, and attorneys, leveraging knowledge about unique practice tasks, requirements, and functions and prioritizing work accordingly.
• Drafts, edits, and proofreads legal documents, communications, files, or presentations to ensure accuracy.
• Oversees maintenance and organization of electronic and paper filing systems within the firm’s DMS/repositories, ensuring all work product is easily accessible and up to date.
• Collaborates with other LAAs or LEAs to complete more complex projects or provide administrative support for any assigned attorneys. Provides mentorship, guidance, and delegation to LSAs who assist with projects as appropriate, and offers or delegates direct‑action support in the event of escalation.
• Organizes and monitors assignments within the firm’s workflow tool, ensuring that administrative tasks are properly allocated and completed on time, including time entry and expense reimbursements.
• Oversees billing matters including all approval forms and collaboration correspondence, ensures prebills are processed accurately and timely, serves as a liaison between attorneys and the Billing Department, and initiates follow‑up at the attorney’s request.
• Act as a trusted advisor for associates, partners, or other attorneys, handling confidential or sensitive matters with discretion and promoting professionalism and exceptional service in all interactions with attorneys, clients, and DLA Piper business professionals.

Desired Skills

• Ability to communicate effectively in the native language of the region via e‑mail or voice.
• Takes initiative to enhance existing skills and learn additional skills.
• Prior experience with Microsoft Office products or legal software such as iManage, Aderant, DocXTools, Innova, etc.
• Ability to adapt to application upgrades and use AI‑powered tools for document production, review, and case research.
• Demonstrated flexibility and willingness to learn new skills and adapt to evolving needs.
• Capability to operate within a fast‑paced environment and ensure all deliverables and work product adhere to firm best practices.
• Willingness to receive constructive feedback from attorneys and managers.
• Strong attention to detail and excellent problem‑solving skills that enable quick decisions.
• Prior experience in workflow‑management related roles.
• Proficiency in virtual collaboration tools such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams.

Minimum Education

• High School or GED

Preferred Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Legal Studies, Business Administration, or a related field.

Minimum Years of Experience

• 2 years experience working in a legal setting under the supervision of a licensed attorney or office administrator, or within a similar role.

Essential Job Expectations

• Business Acumen: Understand the firm’s business model, operations, and strategic goals; work with leadership to develop and implement strategies and initiatives aligned to the firm’s.
• Relationship Building: Build trust and rapport with leaders and employees at all levels.
• Problem Solving: Identify root causes of issues and develop pragmatic solutions.
• Influence & Impact: Persuade others to support initiatives, balancing stakeholder needs and organizational priorities.
• Change Leadership: Champion change and help others adapt in dynamic environments.
• Analytical Thinking: Use data to drive decisions and measure outcomes.
• Emotional Intelligence: Demonstrate self‑awareness, empathy, and strong interpersonal skills.
• Results Orientation: Deliver high‑quality outcomes and meet commitments.
• Collaboration: Foster positive relationships with leadership, HR, and firm peers.
• Produce deliverables, answer phone calls, and reply to correspondence in an efficient and responsive manner.
• Provide timely, accurate, and quality work product.
• Successfully meet deadlines, expectations, and perform work duties as required.
• Comply with all firm policies and practices.
• Engage in both physical and sedentary activity, such as working at a computer for extended periods, participating in virtual conference calls, and meetings as needed.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing demands in a fast‑paced environment.
• Perform all other duties, tasks or projects as assigned.

Physical Demands

Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other criteria are met.

Work Environment

The selected individual may have the opportunity for a hybrid work arrangement comprised of remote and in‑office work, with the requirement determined in coordination with the hiring manager or supervisor and may be modified in the firm’s discretion in the future.

Disclaimer

The purpose of this job description is to provide a concise statement of the work elements and to organize and present the information in a standardized way. It is not intended to describe all the elements of the work that may be performed by every individual in this classification, nor should it serve as the sole criteria for personnel decisions and actions. The job duties, requirements, and expectations for this position may be modified at the Firm’s discretion at any time. This job description does not change the at‑will nature of employment.

Application Process

Applicants must apply directly online instead of sending application materials via email.

Accommodation

Reasonable accommodations may be made upon request to permit individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions and responsibilities of the position or to participate in the job selection process. If you have a request for an accommodation during the application process, please contact careers@us.dlapiper.com.

DLA Piper is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.