DLA Piper is, at its core, bold, exceptional, collaborative and supportive. Our people are the backbone, heart and soul of our firm. Wherever you are in your professional journey, DLA Piper is a place you can engage in meaningful work and grow your career. Let’s see what we can achieve. Together.

Summary

The Legal Practice Specialist is a member of Legal Support Services (LSS). Providing a high level of legal support to assigned partners and other lawyers, with strong practice area knowledge. This position is client facing, maintaining professional relationships with clients and business contacts on behalf of the firm and its lawyers. Works collaboratively, as a point of contact across firm departments, and performs a broad range of administrative support including project management, document production, and supporting firm initiatives, billing and financial goals.

Location

This position is located in our Pittsburgh, PA office and offers a hybrid work schedule.

Responsibilities

•Performs practice area support responsibilities for assigned lawyers.

•Maintains confidential and sensitive information in a professional and trustworthy manner.

•Maintain professional relationships within the firm, with clients, business contacts and professional organizations.

•Prepares, edits, and proofreads a variety of documents, e.g. correspondence, agreements, pleadings, spreadsheets and presentations. Manages and assists with complex document production.

•Remains current in technical skills and practice area knowledge, attends organized meetings and trainings.

•Works independently and takes ownership of work ensuring timelines and deliverables are met.

•Work collaboratively with other departments and team members to ensure successful completion of projects and work assignments.

•Exercises judgment and delegates administrative tasks to the appropriate firm resources, maintaining responsibility for and tracking to successful completion.

•Provides relevant and timely information in a professional, courteous, and effective manner.

•Plans, coordinates, and ensures lawyer Outlook calendars are maintained; identifies and resolves scheduling conflicts; coordinates complex travel itineraries.

•Coordinates meetings, assists with agendas and preparation of meeting materials.

•Handles administrative tasks related to timekeeper compliance requirements and professional organizations.

•Maintains paper and electronic filing systems, helping to ensure compliance with Information Governance policies and procedures.

•Delegates/inputs time entry, tracks WIP and A/R, reviews pre-bills, working collaboratively with partners and billing and collections teams.

•Other duties as assigned.

Desired Skills

Must have advanced Microsoft Office skills, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and the ability to learn firm-specific programs and software applications as required. Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills and strong interpersonal skills to interact with team members, lawyers, clients and other firm departments on a daily basis. Excellent time management, organizational and problem-solving skills. Must demonstrate the ability to think proactively, prioritize work, multitask and delegate appropriately. Possess excellent judgment, a professional demeanor, and strong work ethic. Demonstrates the ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team. Possesses project management skills, including collaborating with team, other firm departments and resources appropriately to accomplish tasks and meet deadlines. Demonstrates appropriate document production skills. Possesses strong practice area knowledge with the ability to understand legal terminology and documentation format sufficient to read, interpret, and prepare legal documents; and anticipate and assume responsibility for substantive tasks. Maintains confidential information in a professional and trustworthy manner.

Minimum Education

• High School Diploma or GED

Preferred Education

• Bachelor's Degree

Minimum Years of Experience

• 4 years in Legal administrative experience in a law firm or professional services organization.

• Requires strong practice area knowledge and experience.

Essential Job Expectations

While the specific job requirements of a DLA Piper position may vary depending upon scope of the job and area of specialty, there are certain universal requirements that are expected of all DLA Piper employees, which include but are not limited to:

• Effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and third parties;

• 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;

• Foster positive work relationships;

• Comply with all firm policies and practices;

• Engage in both physical and sedentary activity, such as (a) working at a computer for extended periods of time, including on-screen reading and typing; (b) participating in digital/virtual conference calls; (c) participating in meetings as needed;

• Perform all other duties, tasks or projects as assigned.

Our employees are expected to embrace and uphold our firm values as a part of our DLA Piper culture. We are committed to excellence in how we represent our clients and develop our people.

Physical Demands

Sedentary work: 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 sedentary criteria are met.

Work Environment

• Hybrid - Regular in-office presence with some flexibility for work-from-home

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

Please apply online if you are a direct applicant. 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.

Agency applications will not be considered.  

No immigration sponsorship is available for this position.

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. Job applicant poster viewing center (https://mandatoryview.com/?LicenceId=09b17fa3-b781-4022-bfdd-ec61a570463c&ProductType=OnlineApplicant) .

DLA Piper is, at its core, bold, exceptional, collaborative and supportive

Our people are the backbone, heart and soul of our firm. Wherever you are in your professional journey, DLA Piper is a place you can engage in meaningful work and grow your career. Let’s see what we can achieve. Together.

Get to Know Us

We invite you to learn more about us. Please visit the following pages for more information about DLA Piper.

Laterals (http://www.dlapiper.com/en-us/careers/laterals)

Lateral Partners

Law Students (http://www.dlapiper.com/en-us/careers/law-students)

Business Professionals

Recruitment Agencies:

Per the terms of our agreement, all candidates must be submitted through the firm’s agency portal for consideration. If you have an agreement with the firm, please log in to the agency portal via the following link (https://www.myworkday.com/wday/authgwy/dlapiper/login.htmld?redirect=n) to review positions accepting agency submissions.

Lawyer Positions Only: If you do not have an agreement with us and would like us to consider candidates, please send a blind candidate profile to legalrecruiting-bos@dlapiper.com