Legal Assistant
Job Summary
The University of Michigan's Office of the Vice President and General Counsel (OGC) provides legal counsel throughout the University of Michigan, including all three campuses. The OGC is seeking a legal assistant to support the work of OGC attorneys, paralegals, and other support staff servicing the academic medical center component of the University of Michigan ('Michigan Medicine') in its 777 E. Eisenhower location in Ann Arbor. The Legal Assistant position will provide administrative and clerical support to the OGC's risk management and health law litigation team in a wide range of matters. The successful candidate will be an experienced legal support professional with strong organizational skills, sound judgment, exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. While experience with risk management or litigation is beneficial, we welcome candidates with demonstrated success supporting legal professionals in other practice areas who possess transferable skills and a willingness to learn. Strong candidates will possess a willingness to go the extra mile to support colleagues, have a strong moral compass, and act with integrity always. Staff in the OGC are currently working a hybrid schedule of three days in the office and two days remotely.
Responsibilities*
- Provide confidential administrative support to multiple attorneys and paralegals and manage multiple calendars
- Work collaboratively with Michigan Medicine support staff and student temps to ensure consistent reception coverage
- Assist with litigation management for a variety of cases, including medical malpractice, personal injury, family law, criminal, and guardianships
- Coordinate with Michigan Medicine clinical staff, administrative assistants, outside attorneys and other requesters to schedule depositions and meetings that require assistance from OGC attorneys
- Answer telephone calls and respond to e-mails timely, accurately, and thoroughly, including participation in the office-wide intake and triage of legal/risk concerns to the appropriate paralegal or attorney
- Draft and edit confidential and sensitive correspondence
- Maintain litigation and electronic files, including case chronologies
- Process expense reports
- Assist in coordinating workflow, within the billing software program, for all OGC, Michigan Medicine invoices
- Other administrative duties as assigned
Required Qualifications*
- Minimum 5 years of professional legal assistant experience supporting attorneys in a law firm, corporate legal department, government legal office, or similar legal setting
- Demonstrated ability to manage complex legal and administrative matters, multiple attorney calendars, confidential information, and competing deadlines with minimal supervision. Highly organized, responsible, and responsive, with strict adherence to deadlines
- Ability to manage many projects with competing priorities and deadlines. Self-sufficient, able to work independently and take initiative, but able and willing to ask for assistance and advice when needed
- Computer proficiency in Outlook, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe, and the ability and willingness to learn new databases and software applications
- Ability and willingness to adapt to change, including new roles, responsibilities and practice areas as needed by the overall OGC team
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including strong telephone communication skills and the ability to accurately and thoroughly discern and document legal questions from callers
- Ability to communicate effectively with internal clients, university leadership, outside counsel, representatives of the judicial system (e.g., prosecutors, court personnel), law enforcement, OGC attorneys, and other support staff
- Commitment to completing assignments in a timely fashion with strict attention to detail
- High degree of discretion when dealing with confidential information
- Experience working in a fast-paced environment with a demonstrated ability to shift gears and remain focused on the multiple demands of the job
Desired Qualifications*
- Experience supporting attorneys in litigation, risk management, healthcare law, employment law, corporate law, higher education, government, or other complex legal practice areas
- Experience working in a healthcare setting or other highly regulated environment is preferred but not required
- Familiarity with litigation support activities, subpoenas, depositions, and legal document management systems is preferred. Familiarity with document management/legal systems (e.g. NetDocuments, Westlaw, Service Now)
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
