A Litigation Legal Assistant is a professional who provides crucial support to lawyers and legal teams in the field of litigation. They play a vital role in assisting with various tasks related to legal proceedings and ensuring the smooth functioning of a law firm's litigation department. In this blog post, we will delve into the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Litigation Legal Assistants.

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Main Responsibilities of a Litigation Legal Assistant

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Litigation Legal Assistant:

Accomplish

Accomplish organizational goals by living Intact's Success Factors.

Answer

Answer incoming phone calls and assist with handling phone lines when at high volume.

Assemble

• Assemble a variety of documents and correspondence.

• Assemble correspondence and pleadings, as well as make arrangements for service on parties.

Assist in

• Assist attorneys in drafting and filing court forms.

• Assist in maintaining client relationships and providing excellent customer service.

• Assist in preparation of exhibit binders for depositions, hearings and trials.

• Assist in the preparation of exhibit binders for depositions, trials, and hearings.

• Assist partner with key discovery and client intake.

• Assist with case management software and electronic filing systems.

• Assist with document production and discovery processes.

• Assist with legal billing and timekeeping processes.

• Assist with settlement negotiations and mediation proceedings.

• Assist with the preparation and submission of legal briefs and motions.

• Assist with the preparation of legal arguments and strategies.

• Assist with trial preparation, including witness coordination and exhibit management.

Attend

Attend court hearings and trials to provide support to attorneys.

Balance

• Balance multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.

• Balance the multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.

Book

Book court dates, questionings and communicate with other parties.

Collaborate with

• Collaborate with attorneys on client intake and key discovery.

• Collaborate with lawyers on key discovery and client intake.

• Collaborate with other legal professionals within the firm.

Communicate

Communicate with opposing counsel, clients and the courts.

Conduct

• Conduct legal research to support case preparations.

• Conduct searches and carry out investigations through the internet and other means.

Contribute to

• Contribute to the preparation of exhibit binders for depositions, trials, and hearings.

• Contribute towards the success of others.

Coordinate with

Coordinate with outside vendors and experts, such as process servers and investigators.

Document

• Document management duties, including filing (electronic and physical).

• Document preparation and drafting letters.

• Document preparation and management, drafting and filing court documents.

Draft

• Draft correspondence and pleadings, arrange for service on parties.

• Draft correspondence and transcribe dictation.

• Draft correspondence, coordinate meeting and possible travel.

• Draft small claims materials.

Draw up

Draw up various documents and correspondence.

Enhance

Enhance attorney effectiveness by developing case information, evidence, and settlement options.

Ensure

• Ensure documents have copies in hard form as well as within the electronic document system.

• Ensure the accuracy and thoroughness of records and data.

• Ensure the efficient progression of each case.

Exchange

Exchange and obtain information and communicate case progress.

File

• File complaints, draft pleadings and schedule depositions and mediation.

• File hard copies of documents as well as maintain the electronic document system.

• File preparation and management.

Handle

Handle legal research and writing.

Hunger

Hunger to discover new ideas and learn quickly.

Implement

Implement an effective diary system to help manage the lawyer's practice.

Liaise with

• Liaise with clients, client correspondence.

• Liaise with clients, witnesses, and opposing counsel.

• Liaise with legal assistants, paralegals, lawyers and clients on file progress.

Maintain

• Maintain and update databases and case management systems.

• Maintain bring forward system to ensure follow up and receipt of requested materials / documents.

• Maintain case calendar and monitor deadlines.

• Maintain communication and correspondence with clients.

• Maintain confidentiality of client information and sensitive materials.

• Maintain professionalism, confidentiality and discretion.

• Maintain the utmost professionalism in a team environment.

Manage

• Manage and update case calendars and deadlines.

• Manage expenses and billing.

• Manage expenses and billings for clients.

• Manage hard copies of documents, as well as the electronic document system.

• Manage key dates and update calendars.

• Manage the case calendar and keep an eye on deadlines.

Memos

Memos and other materials in preparation for the case.

Monitor

Monitor and track case expenses and costs.

Organize

Organize and maintain case files and documents.

Perform

• Perform administrative tasks, such as managing correspondence and answering phone calls.

• Perform case research as needed.

• Perform complex editing and formatting for correspondence and documents.

• Perform other duties within the employee's training and skills as directed by Team Lead.

• Perform other related duties as required.

Prepare

• Prepare and distribute case-related correspondence and notifications.

• Prepare and file appellate documents, if required.

• Prepare and meet with clients regarding settlement documents.

• Prepare and organize exhibits for court presentations.

• Prepare and review written correspondence.

• Prepare and review written correspondence, including litigation documents.

• Prepare and review written correspondence, including pre-litigation documents.

• Prepare and submit Land Title Office forms.

• Prepare court filings and file electronically as required.

• Prepare court filings, sometimes filing them electronically.

• Prepare exhibits for trials.

• Prepare invoices to clients (using Acumin accounting software).

• Prepare legal documents, such as pleadings, motions, and briefs.

• Prepare various documents and correspondence.

Produce

Produce a quality product in a timely manner.

Proofread

Proofread and edit legal documents and correspondence.

Provide

• Provide additional administrative assistance and general office duties as assigned.

• Provide analysis of medical records / bills and insurance information.

• Provide analysis of medical records / bills and insurance information and write summaries.

• Provide full scope legal administrative support.

• Provide general support to attorneys.

Record

Record management both electronically and hard copy files.

Research

Research and stay updated on relevant laws, regulations, and legal precedents.

Respond to

Respond to everyday tasks with little supervision.

Review

• Review and analyze legal documents for accuracy and completeness.

• Review and manage documents with software programs.

Schedule

• Schedule and confirm appointments.

• Schedule and coordinate depositions, hearings, and meetings.

• Schedule discoveries, mediations and other important dates.

Seize

Seize opportunities to produce results without direct supervision.

Summarize

Summarize and analyze depositions, transcripts, and other case-related materials.

Support

Support clients to schedule appointments.

Take

Take incoming phone calls, lending an extra ear when phone lines are busy.

Track

Track cases and support attorney's trial proceedings.

Update

Update knowledge by participating in educational opportunities.

Uphold

• Uphold confidentiality at all times.

• Uphold the standards of confidentiality at all times.

Work with

Work closely with Litigation Paralegal and one other Litigation Legal Assistant.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Litigation Legal Assistant:

1. Proficiency in legal research databases, such as Westlaw or LexisNexis.

2. Strong knowledge of legal terminology, court procedures, and rules of evidence.

3. Familiarity with electronic case management systems.

4. Excellent document management and organization skills.

5. Ability to draft legal documents and correspondence accurately.

6. Competence in using legal software, such as CaseMap or TrialDirector.

7. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

8. Knowledge of local, state, and federal court rules and procedures.

9. Understanding of e-discovery processes and technology.

10. Experience with legal document management and collaboration tools, like SharePoint.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Litigation Legal Assistant:

1. Strong attention to detail and accuracy.

2. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

3. Exceptional organizational and multitasking abilities.

4. Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.

5. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

6. Professionalism and discretion in handling sensitive information.

7. Effective teamwork and collaboration skills.

8. Flexibility and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.

9. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build client relationships.

10. Proactive and self-motivated attitude towards work.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a Litigation Legal Assistant holds a significant role in supporting lawyers and legal teams in litigation matters. Their responsibilities range from document preparation and case management to client communication and research. To excel in this role, individuals need a combination of technical skills such as legal research and document management expertise, as well as soft skills like strong communication and organizational abilities.