Legal Assistant – Litigation and Corporate M&A

Job Description

Legal Assistant – Trial/Corporate | Dorsey & Whitney LLP

The Tone:
This is a hybrid role at Dorsey & Whitney LLP, located in Costa Mesa, CA. Dorsey & Whitney is a global law firm with over 650 lawyers across 22 offices worldwide, providing strategic legal counsel to a diverse range of industries. As a Legal Assistant, you will be a key member of the team, providing essential administrative support to lawyers and paralegals in both the Trial and Corporate practice groups. Your efforts will contribute directly to the efficiency and high quality of legal services delivered by the firm.

The TL;DR
• Role: Early Career
• Type: Hybrid (4 days in-office minimum)
• Location: Costa Mesa, CA
• Pay: $34.44–$59.23 hourly
• Team: Supports lawyers and paralegals in Trial and Corporate departments
• Mission: Provide administrative support to ensure efficient legal operations and high-quality work product.
• Tech Stack: Microsoft Office, Kofax Power PDF

What You’ll Actually Do
• Workload Management: Proactively maintain an overview of timekeepers’ workload and caseload, anticipating next steps and implementing follow-up procedures.
• Document Production: Draft, format, proofread, redline, and edit electronic legal correspondence, pleadings, discovery, briefs, and other memoranda for accuracy and quality.
• Court Filings: File legal documents electronically in both California state and federal courts.
• Calendar & Deadlines: Review dockets, coordinate with legal staff on upcoming dates and deadlines, and maintain attorney calendars by scheduling appointments and meetings.
• Trial & M&A Support: Assist assigned paralegals with trial preparation (e.g., scheduling witnesses, trial briefs) and prepare Merger & Acquisition signature packets, including combining multiple documents for distribution.

The Must-Haves
• Background: High School diploma or G.E.D. equivalent, coupled with a thorough understanding of legal terminology and procedures pertinent to the practice area.
• Experience: At least 7-10 years of related experience, with a preference for law firm experience, including proficiency in electronic court filing in California state courts and CM/ECF (Federal).
• Skills: Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office and Kofax Power PDF, excellent oral and written communication, strong organizational abilities, and a focus on customer/client service with keen attention to detail.
• Bonus: Prior experience in Labor & Employment law and proficiency with “Styles” in formatting Table of Contents in Merger & Acquisition documents.