Legal Assistant

Job Summary

Provides administrative support to assigned attorneys within the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) legal team and coordinates a variety of OGC projects and programs. This is not a paralegal or contract-specific position, but prior training as (or a skill set of) a paralegal or a contracts specialist, including working knowledge of computer aided legal research.

This is a hybrid position with requirements to work in-person on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and other days as assigned. Candidates must live in the Greater Philadelphia Area.

Essential Functions

• Legal administration:
  
  
  
  • Provide legal assistance including managing calendars, scheduling appointments and meetings, coordinating meeting space, preparing travel arrangements and expense reports, taking messages, preparing correspondence, faxing, copying, and filing as needed.
  • Assist in preparing reports and training materials as well as other special projects as assigned. Provide legal secretarial support when necessary to anyone in the OGC.
  
  
  
  
• File Management:
  
  
  
  • Create, maintain, and organize administrative files, including federal, state, and administrative matters handled internally and by outside counsel.
  • Respond to inquiries on a variety of legal matters and provide general administrative support as needed to any OGC staff member, outside counsel, and clients in legal matters.
  
  
  
  
• Contract Management:
  
  
  
  • Provide first-line, OGC legal review of contracts. Work closely with the Assistant Director of Contracts and Records Management.
  • Support the contract management process and communicate with clients accordingly.
  • Conduct research as needed and prepare all initial draft legal documentation for attorney review.
  • Facilitate communications between attorney and client as needed.
  • Monitor associated deadlines.
  
  
  
  
• Office Management:
  
  
  
  • Provide administrative support to OGC, which includes receiving mail, screening calls and visitors, and serving in a back-up capacity to other administrative staff as needed.
  • Work constructively and responsibly in a team and customer focused manner; provide excellent service to all external and internal customers.
  • Contribute to a team effort and represent the OGC in all university-wide and community interactions.
  
  
  
  
• Assist in the administration of the document management program and the Electronic Discovery initiative in the OGC, including preparation and mailing of litigation hold notices and other matters as needed relating to Electronic Discovery.
• Handle all matters with sensitivity and confidentiality, privacy, and discretion.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the General Counsel, or Department Administrator, or direct supervisor.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of an Associate's Degree and 5 years of continuous legal assistant/secretary experience or the equivalent combination of education and work experience. (Please review the Equivalency Chart for additional information.)
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, proofreading, written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize tasks effectively in a high-paced work environment with a high attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain a high level of customer service, and use excellent judgment when problem solving.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 (and its full suite of programs) and Adobe.
• Ability to be a highly motivated individual, anticipate problems and address them proactively with follow through.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Ability to maintain a professional appearance and carry out responsibilities in a professional manner.
• Experience dealing sensitively with matters of a highly visible and confidential nature.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree.
• Training as (or a skill set of) a paralegal or a contracts specialist, including working knowledge of computer aided legal research.
• Experience with document management systems.

Location

• University City - Philadelphia, PA

Additional Information
This position is classified as Non-Exempt, grade J. Compensation for this grade ranges from $22.74 - $34.11 per hour. Please note that the offered rate for this position typically aligns with the minimum to midrange of this grade, but it can vary based on the successful candidate's qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review.

Applicants are encouraged to explore the Professional Staff salary structure and Compensation Guidelines & Policies for more details on Drexel's compensation framework. For information about benefits, please review Drexel's Benefits Brochure.

Special Instructions to the Applicant
Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.

The position will be open for 30 days or until a suitable candidate pool is identified.