McGuireWoods LLP has an opening for a Practice Assistant/Legal Secretary to join an Intellectual Property team in our Richmond, VA office. The Practice Assistant will support attorneys with administrative tasks which include opening new matters, billing, managing time entry, travel coordination and calendar management.   In addition to the legal administrative tasks, the Practice Assistant will also provide support to the Office Managing Partner as it relates to their leadership duties within the Richmond office and broader firm.  The ideal candidate will have five years of legal administrative support experience, strong organizational skills, and be comfortable working with technology.

McGuireWoods, one of the world’s leading law firms, has provided legal solutions to corporate, individual and nonprofit clients since 1834. Diversity and inclusion are essential to how we do business, informing how we recruit, retain and promote lawyers and staff to serve clients. Along with excellent benefits, McGuireWoods offers most employees a hybrid remote option allowing flexibility and work-life balance. Our Applicant Disclosures describe your rights. Our Privacy Statement describes how we will process and safeguard your personal data.

• Coordinate day-to-day work-flow of attorneys' matters and serve as the primary point of contact for attorneys.
• Manage attorney calendars, e-mail traffic, phone calls and mail.
• Review pro forma bills (initiates transfers), edit and prepare draft/final bills and cover letters for clients under the supervision of the attorney as requested.
• Communicates with clients, vendors, courts, agencies and firm personnel in a professional manner via telephone, e-mail and in person.
• Maintain client and firm files; open and close files according to Records Department procedures; Enter information into system for conflicts checks in accordance with firm policy.
• Prepares client status reports.
• Establish and maintain relationships with the firm administration and other departments to ensure the effective use of firm resources, resolve problems and address issues.
• Think clearly, respond positively, and evaluate situations to determine appropriate actions and act decisively under pressure.
• Assume responsibility for all assignments and engage other resources.  Provide quality control on all work done with specific attention to detail and proofreading.
• Participate as part of a team of practice assistants providing coverage and/or back-up coverage for multiple attorneys.
• Maintain and demonstrate proficiency in the use of Firm-issued equipment, Firm-required software and practice specific applications, as required.

• Requires high school diploma or GED (US candidates) five years of legal administrative support experience.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Outlook and the firms elected billing and timekeeping system.
• Able to delegate appropriately and use firm resources effectively.
• Demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

Have more questions? Connect with a recruiter directly.