Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Litigation Legal Assistant

💰 $55,000 - $85,000

LegalAdministrativeLitigation Support

🎯 Role Definition

The Litigation Legal Assistant is the operational backbone of a successful litigation team, providing indispensable administrative and legal support from case inception through to resolution. This role is a critical hub for case management, ensuring the seamless flow of information, meticulous management of deadlines, and flawless preparation of legal documents. A successful Litigation Legal Assistant empowers attorneys to focus on strategic legal work and client advocacy by masterfully handling the complex procedural and administrative demands of the litigation lifecycle. This position requires a blend of technical legal knowledge, exceptional organizational skills, and a proactive, detail-oriented mindset to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Legal Secretary
  • Recent Paralegal Certificate Graduate
  • Administrative Assistant (with legal environment experience)

Advancement To:

  • Senior Litigation Paralegal / Case Manager
  • E-Discovery Project Manager
  • Law Firm Administrator or Office Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Corporate or Transactional Paralegal
  • Compliance Specialist
  • Legal Operations Analyst

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Prepare, proofread, and edit a wide range of legal documents and correspondence, including pleadings, motions, discovery requests and responses, subpoenas, and settlement agreements.
  • Manage the electronic filing (e-filing) of legal documents with federal, state, and local courts, ensuring strict adherence to all rules and deadlines (e.g., CM/ECF, state-specific portals).
  • Maintain and meticulously organize complex electronic and physical case files, ensuring all documents are properly filed, indexed, and readily accessible.
  • Assist attorneys with all phases of the discovery process, including drafting discovery requests, processing incoming productions, and organizing documents for review.
  • Coordinate the collection, processing, and production of client documents, including Bates stamping, redacting confidential information, and preparing privilege logs.
  • Manage and maintain attorney calendars, including scheduling depositions, hearings, meetings, and other case-related events, and proactively tracking all associated deadlines.
  • Act as a key point of contact for clients, opposing counsel, court personnel, and vendors, handling communications with professionalism and discretion.
  • Assist in all aspects of trial and hearing preparation, including organizing exhibits, preparing trial binders, coordinating witness schedules, and providing in-courtroom support.
  • Conduct basic legal and factual research using online resources such as LexisNexis, Westlaw, and public records databases to support case development.
  • Draft routine court filings, such as notices of appearance, requests for extension, and certificates of service, for attorney review.
  • Accurately record and enter billable time and expenses into the firm's billing system in a timely and detailed manner.
  • Coordinate with process servers, court reporters, expert witnesses, and other external vendors to arrange for services and manage logistics.
  • Summarize deposition transcripts and medical records to create concise, usable summaries for attorney review.
  • Prepare and manage exhibit lists and ensure all potential exhibits are properly marked, organized, and available for depositions and trial.
  • Maintain a comprehensive case calendar and docketing system, calculating and tracking deadlines for pleadings, discovery, and other critical court-mandated dates.
  • Facilitate the opening of new client matters by gathering necessary information, running conflict checks, and preparing engagement letters.
  • Assist with the preparation of materials for client meetings, internal strategy sessions, and presentations.
  • Handle the processing of incoming and outgoing mail, faxes, and email correspondence related to active litigation matters.
  • Manage travel arrangements and process expense reports for attorneys related to case activities like depositions and court appearances.
  • Create and maintain tables of authorities and tables of contents for complex legal briefs and motions.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist with ad-hoc case-specific research and information gathering projects as directed by the legal team.
  • Contribute to the improvement of the firm's document management systems and case filing protocols by providing user feedback and suggestions.
  • Collaborate with the legal team to translate case needs into organized, actionable tasks and workflows.
  • Participate in team meetings and huddles, providing updates on administrative tasks and upcoming deadlines.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • E-Filing Proficiency: Expertise in electronic filing systems for federal (CM/ECF) and state courts.
  • Case Management Software: High proficiency with legal case management software such as Clio, MyCase, ProLaw, or Aderant.
  • Microsoft Office Suite: Advanced skills in Word (including Styles, Table of Authorities), Excel (for tracking damages/expenses), Outlook (for calendaring), and PowerPoint.
  • Document Management: Experience with document management systems (e.g., NetDocuments, iManage) and document production tools, including Bates stamping and redaction software (e.g., Adobe Acrobat Pro).
  • Legal Research Tools: Familiarity with conducting research on platforms like Westlaw, LexisNexis, or Pacer.
  • Docketing and Calendaring: Strong understanding of court rules for calculating and tracking legal deadlines.
  • Time and Billing Software: Experience accurately entering time and expenses into legal billing systems (e.g., TABS, TimeSolv).

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional Attention to Detail: The ability to produce accurate, error-free work, especially when proofreading legal documents and managing deadlines.
  • Superior Organizational Skills: A demonstrated ability to manage multiple cases, competing priorities, and voluminous documentation simultaneously without losing track of details.
  • Proactive Problem-Solving: The foresight to anticipate attorney and case needs and the initiative to address them before being asked.
  • Excellent Communication: Clear, professional, and concise written and verbal communication skills for interacting with attorneys, clients, and court staff.
  • Ability to Work Under Pressure: A calm and focused demeanor with the resilience to handle tight deadlines and high-stakes situations.
  • Discretion and Confidentiality: Unwavering commitment to maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive client and firm information.
  • Team-Oriented Mindset: A collaborative spirit and willingness to assist colleagues to ensure the team's collective success.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma combined with a Paralegal Certificate from an ABA-approved program or significant, directly relevant work experience.

Preferred Education:

Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in Paralegal Studies, Legal Studies, or a related discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Paralegal Studies
  • Legal Studies / Pre-Law
  • Criminal Justice
  • Business Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-7 years of dedicated experience as a Legal Assistant or Paralegal within a litigation practice group.

Preferred: Experience in a specific area of litigation (e.g., commercial litigation, insurance defense, personal injury, employment law) is highly valued. A stable work history demonstrating progressive responsibility is a strong indicator of success.

Explore More Careers