Kivel & Howard Law firm is seeking an experienced Legal Assistantto join us in our Portland office. The Legal Assistant is a vital part of the Legal Team, and you will be working closely with Scott Howard, one of the Founding Partners of the firm.
We believe that the successful candidate for this position will possess both technical skills and knowledge of how a law firm operates. We also realize that personal characteristics also help determine strong matches between candidates and the firm. We took time to identify some of the key attributes and gladly share those below:
- Professionally handle confidential information.
- Makes sound decisions when deadlines are approaching.
- Assertive when seeking answers and supportive during planning times.
- Is confident in their professional strengths while still values learning moments.
- Understands how a positive attitude impacts and inspires team members.
- Also understands the importance of constructive guidance to colleagues.
- Is forward-thinking and able to anticipate needs and meet those needs.
- Has a sense of humor and demonstrates respect for others connected to Kivel-Howard.
Does this sound like you?
Now that you know what we are looking for, here is a snapshot of us. Kivel & Howard LLP is a full-service Oregon law firm of about 25 people dedicated to providing comprehensive, timely and effective legal services. Our clients are individuals, families, closely held businesses of all sizes and nonprofit corporations. Attorneys in our firm are admitted to practice in Oregon, Washington and California and we strive to provide good value to our clients in all their legal service needs. We are engaged and active in our community and maintain a high level of professionalism with our clients, the courts, our staff, and attorneys at other law offices.
Your role is vital to our success and starts by ensuring that our communication processes from the engagement letter through to the final billing are handled accurately and smoothly. At any given time, we have about 100 active probate files and 20-30 active Estate plans. This means keeping calendars up to date and deadlines met. You maintain the docket for dates to ensure that needed materials are prepared and for the partners to know that there are upcoming deadlines.
The daily work is a combination of new assignments, the writing or editing of various letters, handling telephone calls, mail, scanning, and hard copy filing. You will be the primary manager of basic court documents and assist clients with questions, saving client emails into a digital file.
- Maintain case file information in the software systems.
- Maintain documents in the electronic document management system.
- Listen and process client telephone messages and enter this into the TimeMatters client file.
- Responsible for being backup for front desk which entails answering the phone and forwarding to appropriate extensions.
- Schedule meetings and telephone conference calls with clients. Maintain both paper and electronic calendars on a daily basis to ensure they correspond with each other.
- Set up new client files.
- E-File documents when available or sent to Court for execution. You may also, on occasion, go to Court and process documents in person. Record deed documents with Simplifile.
- Process request from client for construction liens on projects. Coordinate with client on properties being liened. Obtain TRIO and provide draft of construction lien for Partner to review.
- E-File or record lien with court, process 20/10 letters and be sure that each party is served with the notice, process payoff information if requested and draft lien release and file with the county. If a foreclosure is necessary, work with Partner to go through the process and draft documents as needed. Keep docket up to date with deadlines.
- Process, sort and distribute mail twice a day.
- Go through mail for Founding Partner and sit with him to process.
- Track and submit CLE requirements and reports for both Oregon and California.
- Assist vendors with requests for materials (i.e. tax information for different foundations)
- Create and edit presentations, correspondence, memos, reports, graphs, organizational charts, and faxes.
- Create, maintain, and organize hard copy files.
- Assist in new employee training.
- Bi-Yearly process life insurance payments.
- Administrate computer-based platforms and work with the IT department to set up attorneys and/or other legal assistants on the user platforms.
We value what you bring to the firm. Our vision is that “We simply serve.” This reflects the approach and philosophy of all the attorneys and staff, whether the client’s matter is in the field of business law, estate planning, real estate, or litigation. Regardless of size or complexity, each case is supported with the talent, creativity, and dedication of the entire firm. This superior support has earned Kivel & Howard a reputation for excellence from a satisfied and loyal client base.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $30.00 - $35.00 per hour
Expected hours: 40 per week
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Monday to Friday
Application Question(s):
- How many years have you worked in the legal industry?
Work Location: In person