Legal Executive Assistant - Patent Litigation
Permanent Placements LLC · San Diego, CA
- On site
- Full-time
- $115,000 / year
- San Diego, CA
Job highlights
- Support patent litigation attorneys with administrative tasks.
- Manage calendars, travel, and document production.
- Coordinate billing and monitor case deadlines.
- Requires 5+ years of legal support experience.
- Hybrid work arrangement after onboarding.
About the role
Legal Executive Assistant - Patent Litigation
Permanent Placements LLC is seeking an experienced Legal Executive Assistant to support attorneys within a patent litigation practice at a large, structured law firm. This senior support role involves partnering directly with attorneys to manage day-to-day practice operations, communications, scheduling, billing coordination, document production, and case-related administrative workflows. The position requires strong judgment, discretion, and the ability to operate independently in a fast-paced legal environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide executive-level administrative support to attorneys within a patent litigation practice.
- Manage calendars, scheduling, and complex travel logistics.
- Coordinate meetings, prepare agendas, and ensure materials are organized and available.
- Serve as liaison between attorneys, clients, and internal teams.
- Draft, proofread, and finalize legal correspondence, presentations, and other documents.
- Support case preparation through research, document organization, and coordination with internal resources.
- Oversee electronic and physical filing systems and maintain document accuracy within firm systems.
- Coordinate billing workflows, prebills, approvals, and related communications.
- Monitor deadlines, project milestones, and assignments to ensure timely completion.
- Collaborate with legal support teams and delegate work as needed to ensure efficient execution.
Requirements
- 5+ years of experience supporting senior attorneys or executives within a law firm or corporate legal environment.
- Prior exposure to patent litigation or intellectual property matters strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated experience managing attorney calendars, travel, billing coordination, and document workflows.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills and high attention to detail.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and maintain professionalism under pressure.
- Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office and legal technology tools.
- High level of discretion handling confidential and sensitive information.
Education
- High school diploma or GED required.
- Bachelor’s degree in legal studies, business administration, or a related field preferred.
Work Environment
- San Diego–based role.
- Fully onsite during initial onboarding period (approximately 30 to 90 days).
- Transition to hybrid schedule of 3 days onsite and 2 days remote after successful onboarding.
Compensation
- $95K to $135K per year + Discretionary Bonus.
- Comprehensive benefits package available including medical, dental, vision, and retirement offerings.
Key skills/competency
- Legal Executive Assistant
- Patent Litigation
- Administrative Support
- Attorney Support
- Calendar Management
- Document Management
- Legal Correspondence
- Billing Coordination
- Microsoft Office Proficiency
- Confidentiality
Skills & topics
- Legal Executive Assistant
- Patent Litigation
- Executive Assistant
- Law Firm Support
- Administrative Assistant
- Legal Secretary
- Paralegal Support
- Intellectual Property
- Calendar Management
- Document Management
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight your 5+ years of legal support experience, patent litigation exposure, and proficiency with legal technology.
- Craft a strong cover letter: Emphasize your discretion, ability to manage competing priorities, and strong communication skills for the Legal Executive Assistant role.
- Prepare for interviews: Be ready to discuss your experience with attorney calendars, billing coordination, and handling confidential information.
- Research Permanent Placements LLC: Understand their placement services and how your skills align with supporting their client's needs.
Technical preparation
Master Microsoft Office Suite features.,Familiarize with legal document management systems.,Practice legal calendaring and scheduling.,Review e-discovery and billing software.
Behavioral questions
Describe managing competing priorities effectively.,How do you ensure discretion with confidential information?,Provide an example of proactive problem-solving.,How do you communicate with diverse stakeholders?
Frequently asked questions
- What is the typical career progression for a Legal Executive Assistant at Permanent Placements LLC's client firms?
- While Permanent Placements LLC focuses on direct placement, successful Legal Executive Assistants often grow into senior paralegal roles, practice manager positions, or specialized legal support functions within the law firm. Your advancement will depend on performance, additional certifications, and the needs of the firm.
- How does Permanent Placements LLC vet candidates for Legal Executive Assistant roles?
- Permanent Placements LLC conducts thorough vetting to ensure candidates meet specific client requirements. This includes reviewing experience, skills, and conducting interviews to assess fit for roles like the Legal Executive Assistant in patent litigation.
- What legal technologies are commonly used by firms hiring Legal Executive Assistants through Permanent Placements LLC?
- Firms often utilize document management systems (like NetDocuments or iManage), e-discovery platforms, billing software (like Intapp or Legal Tracker), and advanced Microsoft Office Suite features. Familiarity with these tools is highly beneficial for a Legal Executive Assistant role.
- Is there an opportunity to gain more intellectual property law experience as a Legal Executive Assistant?
- Yes, supporting a patent litigation practice provides direct exposure to intellectual property matters. As a Legal Executive Assistant, you will be involved in case preparation, document production, and coordination, offering valuable hands-on experience in this specialized legal field.
- What is the typical onboarding process for a Legal Executive Assistant placed by Permanent Placements LLC?
- The onboarding process typically involves an initial period of fully onsite work at the law firm (30-90 days) to integrate into the team and learn specific workflows, followed by a transition to a hybrid schedule. Permanent Placements LLC ensures you are well-prepared for this transition.