Paralegal Assistant (Intellectual Property)

at  Spencer Fane

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt
SCHEDULE: Full-time, M-F; 37.5 hours/week
LOCATION: Kansas City, MO office (hybrid work environment)
REPORTS TO: Regional Office Administrator

POSITION SUMMARY

The Paralegal Assistant (Intellectual Property) is a full-time, non-exempt position based in our Kansas City, MO office. This position is responsible for proactively providing direct billable and administrative support to the attorneys and paralegals in the Intellectual Property practice group. The individual will be working in a dynamic environment that requires excellent organization, handling a multitude of tasks simultaneously, independent thinking and self-direction, the ability to work well with people, and determination to get the job done.
only local candidates will be considered

QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS

• 1-3 years’ administrative experience in the legal field
• Paralegal certificate or undergraduate degree preferred
• Execution-oriented, self-starter, and self-navigator who can prioritize tasks and balance the demands of multiple projects and stakeholders
• Training in drafting business documents, drafting professional emails, and how to bill time preferred
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, excellent organizational abilities, strong analytical and problem solving skills, strong research skills, and proactive business style
• Strong Microsoft Office skills required, including Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Typing speed of 60 wpm

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Position is generally sedentary in nature; involves sitting most of the time, but may involve the need for inter-office mobility for brief periods of time
• Ability to occasionally or routinely lift up to 10 – 20 lbs.
• Ability to efficiently communicate
• Ability to perform repetitive motions required
• Ability to see and read PC screens, detect color-coding, read fine print, and/or normal type size print

• Interacts with staff at all levels in a fast-paced environment, sometimes under pressure, remaining flexible, proactive, resourceful, and efficient
• Deliver exceptional client service both internally and externally in a professional manner with discretion and confidentiality
• Work collaboratively and cooperatively with other shared services departments
• Independently use sound judgment and initiative to develop project timelines. Anticipate business needs of timekeepers; prioritize assignments, meet deadlines
• Assist with timekeepers with organization, preparing, drafting, and proofreading documents, including cross-referencing, and running document comparisons and other administrative tasks
• Create, maintain and index client files, paper and electronic, in partnership with Records department. Perform routine filing, file retrieval and update document management system as necessary
• Proactively manage busy calendars, prioritizing meeting requests with internal and external groups; schedule meetings, inform others of timekeepers’ whereabouts
• Collaborate with Accounting to ensure accuracy in billing pursuant to client requirements; perform pre-bill edits, prepare invoices for payment as requested by timekeepers
• Review and submit conflict checks, new clients and client matters
• Track and record time in time entry system to ensure services provided are appropriately documented
• Work with supervising attorney to compare, analyze, update, and produce documents relating to client matters
• Assist and support attorneys with research and due diligence
• May need to interact with clients, courts and opposing counsel; participate in meetings discussing sensitive or confidential matters
• Annual 700 hour billable requirement
• Develop and apply basic knowledge and procedures to complete assigned projects and tasks; develop proficiency in technology relevant to position