Legal Executive Assistant - Real Estate

Overview

The Legal Executive Assistant (LEA) supports lawyers by managing the daily functions of an attorney\’s practice, allowing them to concentrate on developing and sustaining their practice. The LEA serves as an executive level assistant for the attorney, creating connections, delivering critical information, ensuring meetings and materials are accurate, and serving as a trusted business partner to help deliver against the priorities of the practice and clients. The LEA serves as a collaborative partner to Legal Administrative Assistants (LAA) and Legal Support Assistant (LSA) team members who provide support to the attorney’s legal team.

This role requires both administrative competence and a thorough understanding of the procedures, relevant business context of tasks, terminology, and documents seen in an attorney’s practice. The Legal Executive Assistant plays a critical role in ensuring the smooth operation of the attorney’s practice area and representing the Firm in a professional and positive manner.

Location

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

Responsibilities

• Provides support and management of the attorney’s projects ensuring deadlines are met and tasks are completed efficiently. Consults with lawyers and administrative teams to ensure project milestones are adhered to.
• Serves as a liaison between attorneys, clients, and other internal departments, handling inquiries and relaying messages accurately. Utilizes independent judgment and the ability to make sound decisions when responding on behalf of the attorney.
• Develops and maintains professional relationships to ensure teams work together efficiently and effectively. Provides clear direction and constructive feedback on projects and assignments. Builds trust, resolves conflicts, and collaborates effectively with people at all levels of the organization.
• Delegates assignments as necessary to LSAs and AskLegalSupport ensuring timely and accurate completion. Monitors progress of assignments and communicates on behalf of the attorney with support teams to ensure successful project outcomes. Delivers service feedback and makes improvement recommendations to firm management teams.
• Collaborates as necessary with other LEAs or LAAs to complete more complex projects or provide administrative support for attorneys. Provides mentorship and support to LSAs who assist with projects.
• Provides feedback for the professional development of LSAs who assist the attorney’s team. Delivers ongoing feedback and mentoring providing opportunities for continued improvement.
• Drafts, proofreads, and finalizes legal documents, correspondence, and presentations on behalf of the attorney. Reviews and ensures accuracy of final work product. Provides feedback to internal support teams on completed work to improve outcomes for accurate and timely project delivery.
• Oversees the maintenance and organization of electronic and paper filing systems within the firm’s DMS/repositories. Ensures all work product is easily accessible and up to date.
• Conducts research on behalf of the attorney and practice group. Compiles information for case preparation and executive briefings. Consults with internal support teams to ensure completion of presentations and other necessary materials.
• Oversees meeting planning and coordinates with internal and external parties to ensure logistical and other critical details are in place. Prepares meeting agenda and ensures presentations and other materials needed are accurately prepared and available. Ensures the attorney and meeting attendees have support and requests initiated during the meeting are managed in a timely and accurate manner.
• Oversees billing matters including all approval forms and collaboration correspondence, ensures prebills are processed by the appropriate team accurately and timely; serves as a liaison between the attorney and the Billing Department regarding questions/issues arising throughout the billing process. Ensures final bills are delivered in a timely manner and initiates follow-up at the attorney’s request.
• Manages the attorney’s calendar, schedules meetings, resolves conflicts; and organizes complex travel itineraries. Communicates potential conflicting priorities to the attorney and offers solutions. Ensures the attorney’s expenses and time entry are assigned to AskLegalSupport and are processed correctly in a timely manner.

Qualifications

• Minimum Education: High School or GED
• Preferred Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Legal studies, business administration, or a related field
• Minimum Years Of Experience: 5 years experience in an administrative role within a corporate or legal environment providing support to upper-level leadership

Desired Skills

• Ability to communicate effectively in the native language of the region via e-mail or voice
• Shows initiative to enhance existing skills and learn new ones; adaptability and discretion; commitment to continual development
• Professionalism and discretion; handling confidential information and sensitive legal matters with care and integrity
• In-depth knowledge of processes, procedures and documents to enable high level administrative and legal support
• Ability to offer solutions and assist with requests and challenges; strong written and verbal communication; active listening
• Process-driven with excellent time management and ability to multitask in a fast-paced setting
• Attention to detail and initiative in planning; ability to stay positive and productive under pressure
• Ability to work effectively in a demanding environment; willingness to seek assistance from firm resources to ensure timely completion
• Proficiency with technology and firm software; experience with Word, PowerPoint, Excel, case management software, accounting software, and AI-powered tools; capable of learning new tools and upgrades; experience with virtual collaboration tools such as Zoom and Teams

Essential Job Expectations

• Business Acumen: Understand the firm’s business model, operations, and strategic goals; work with PG leadership to develop and implement strategies and initiatives in alignment with 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 work 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, digital/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.

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.

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 sedentary criteria are met.

Work Environment

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

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 at us.dlapiper.com.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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 Details

• Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Legal
• Industries: Law Practice

#J-18808-Ljbffr