Project Assistant
ArentFox Schiff · New York, NY
- On site
- Full-time
- $65,000 / year
- New York, NY
Job highlights
- Assist lawyers with substantive legal services.
- Draft, analyze, and prepare legal documents.
- Coordinate legal projects and client communications.
- Manage legal projects and attend client meetings.
- Maintain notary license and ethical standards.
About the role
About ArentFox Schiff
ArentFox Schiff is an award-winning, globally recognized law firm that delivers sophisticated, innovative, and practical legal solutions to clients around the world. With more than 600 lawyers and policy professionals, ArentFox Schiff's expertise is sought out by Fortune 500s, start-ups, international governments, non-profits and trade associations, and private individuals.
Our work spans highly complex, global matters as well as the deeply personal issues that shape the lives of individuals and communities.
Why Join Us
At ArentFox Schiff, we know that diverse backgrounds produce different perspectives, richer thinking, and more creative solutions to the challenges our clients face. We hope you share that vision. Join us and take on the challenge of doing meaningful work while helping us build upon a culture that reflects our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We base all of our employment decisions on merit and do not discriminate on the basis of any legally protected characteristic.
Job Summary
This position works under the direct supervision of a lawyer and provides the lawyer substantive legal services. A lawyer may delegate any task normally performed by a lawyer to a Project Assistant, except those tasks prohibited to a non-lawyer by statute, court rule, administrative rule or regulation, controlling authority, the applicable rule of professional conduct of the jurisdiction in which the lawyer practices, or the ABA Guidelines for the Utilization of Paralegal Services.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Drafts, analyzes, and prepares legal documents for a supervising lawyer or supervising paralegal.
- Coordinates legal projects and communicates legal information for a supervising lawyer or supervising paralegal.
- Prepares draft communications for a supervising lawyer or supervising paralegal.
- Collects, evaluates and summarizes relevant facts and legal concepts for a supervising lawyer or supervising paralegal.
- Attends client meetings, coordination meetings, and legal proceedings with a supervising lawyer or supervising paralegal.
- Provides legal project management for a legal matter for a supervising lawyer or supervising paralegal.
- Maintains notary license in local jurisdiction.
- Follows all supervising lawyer or supervising paralegal instructions.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Maintains accurate and appropriate time records regarding hours spent working for clients, working for the Firm, and working on administrative tasks.
- Meets all time entry and timesheet deadlines specified by the Firm, the Paralegal Department, and the Accounting Department.
- Bills a minimum of 1,550 creditable hours each performance evaluation year that begins April 1 and ends March 31 of which a minimum of 750 of those hours are client billable hours.
- Limits approved pro bono hours and approved firm representation (non-secretarial) hours to a maximum of 120 total hours during each performance evaluation year.
- Works a predictable schedule, and also provides flexibility in daily schedule to meet Firm's needs during periods of heavy workload.
- Timely notifies both supervising lawyers, supervising paralegals, and the Paralegal Manager of any time out of the office during normal work hours.
- Reports the receipt of non-billable work to the Paralegal Manager upon receipt.
- Avoids overtime for non-billable assignments.
- Contacts supervising lawyers, supervising paralegals and Paralegal Manager when available for new assignments.
- Accepts accountability and responsibility for all work assignments.
- Adheres to The National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc.'s "Model Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility."
- Attends relevant legal ed
Key skills/competency
- Legal Document Drafting
- Legal Project Management
- Legal Research
- Client Communication
- Time Management
- Legal Ethics
- Legal Support
- Attention to Detail
- Confidentiality
- Legal Software Proficiency
Skills & topics
- Project Assistant
- Legal Assistant
- Paralegal
- Law Firm
- Legal Support
- Document Preparation
- Legal Project Management
- Legal Research
- Client Services
- New York Jobs
- Legal Document
- Time Entry
- Legal Ethics
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight legal support, project management, and document drafting experience to match the Project Assistant role.
- Craft a compelling cover letter: Emphasize your understanding of legal ethics and your ability to support supervising lawyers at ArentFox Schiff.
- Prepare for behavioral questions: Be ready to discuss your experience with time management, accountability, and working under supervision.
- Showcase organizational skills: Demonstrate your ability to coordinate projects and manage legal information effectively.
- Research ArentFox Schiff: Understand their commitment to diversity and inclusion, and their global legal solutions.
Technical preparation
Familiarize yourself with legal document drafting software.,Practice summarizing complex information concisely.,Understand legal research databases and their use.,Review ethical guidelines for legal support staff.
Behavioral questions
Describe a time you managed multiple tasks.,How do you handle confidential information?,Tell me about supporting a legal team.,How do you ensure accuracy in your work?
Frequently asked questions
- What are the primary responsibilities of a Project Assistant at ArentFox Schiff?
- A Project Assistant at ArentFox Schiff provides substantive legal services under the direct supervision of a lawyer. Key duties include drafting and analyzing legal documents, coordinating legal projects, preparing communications, summarizing facts and legal concepts, attending meetings and legal proceedings, and managing legal matters.
- What qualifications are needed to become a Project Assistant at ArentFox Schiff?
- While specific educational requirements aren't detailed, the role requires the ability to perform tasks normally done by a lawyer (excluding statutorily prohibited ones), strong organizational skills, attention to detail, adherence to ethical codes like the NFPA's Model Code, and maintaining a notary license in the local jurisdiction.
- How important is time management and billing for a Project Assistant at ArentFox Schiff?
- Time management and accurate timekeeping are crucial. Project Assistants must maintain accurate time records, meet deadlines for time entry, and bill a minimum number of creditable hours annually, with a specific portion dedicated to client billable hours.
- What is the work environment like for a Project Assistant at ArentFox Schiff?
- The role involves working under direct supervision, requiring flexibility to meet the firm's needs during heavy workloads. Project Assistants are expected to work a predictable schedule but also provide flexibility when necessary and promptly notify supervisors of any time out of the office.
- Does ArentFox Schiff offer opportunities for professional development for Project Assistants?
- While not explicitly stated, the description mentions attending relevant legal education, suggesting a commitment to ongoing learning and professional development within the legal field for its Project Assistants.
- How does ArentFox Schiff approach diversity and inclusion in hiring for the Project Assistant role?
- ArentFox Schiff emphasizes diversity of backgrounds to foster richer thinking and creative solutions. They base employment decisions on merit and do not discriminate, aiming to build a culture that reflects their dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion.