Legal Support Specialist

The Legal Support Specialist provides high-level administrative and practice-specific support to attorneys within the Global Finance Practice Group. This role serves as a trusted business partner who anticipates needs, independently manages competing priorities, exercises sound judgment, and delivers responsive client service in a fast-paced environment.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Attorney & Practice Support

• Provide high-level administrative and operational support to partners and associates.

• Anticipate attorney needs and independently manage priorities, deadlines, and workflow.

• Coordinate confidential communications, reports, presentations, and practice materials.

• Serve as a liaison among attorneys, clients, Firm leadership, and Business Services departments.

• Support attorney onboarding, practice initiatives, meetings, and cross-office coordination.

Transaction & Matter Support

• Assist with administrative coordination of finance transactions and client matters.

• Organize transaction documents, correspondence, signature materials, and matter files.

• Assist with closings and post-closing administrative requirements, as appropriate.

• Track outstanding items and proactively follow up to facilitate timely completion.

• Assist with new matter intake, conflicts, and matter maintenance.

Calendar & Communications

• Manage complex calendars, meetings, conferences, and business development activities.

• Independently prioritize competing scheduling requests based on attorney and business needs.

• Draft, edit, format, and proofread correspondence, presentations, and other materials.

• Coordinate meetings across offices and time zones.

Billing & Financial Support

• Support time entry, proforma review, invoice preparation, and billing follow-up.

• Assist with budgets, accruals, client billing arrangements, and financial reports.

• Coordinate with Accounting to address billing issues and client requirements.

Travel & Expenses

• Coordinate complex domestic and international travel arrangements.

• Prepare itineraries, registrations, and other travel-related materials.

• Prepare and process attorney expense reports.

• Resolve last-minute travel changes promptly and professionally.

Practice & Business Development

• Support practice group meetings, retreats, client events, and leadership activities.

• Coordinate with Marketing/Business Development and other departments on practice initiatives.

• Assist with presentations, client meetings, and related materials.

Education and/or Experience:

Required:

• 5+ years of legal support experience in a law firm or professional services environment.

• Experience supporting partners, senior attorneys, or senior-level professionals.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, and document management systems.

• Strong organizational, proofreading, formatting, and communication skills.

• Preferred

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.

• Experience supporting finance, banking, corporate, transactional, or related practices.

• Experience supporting practice group leadership or attorneys with complex client responsibilities.

Other Skills and Abilities:

• Judgment: Independently assesses priorities and determines appropriate next steps.

• Initiative: Anticipates needs and proactively identifies solutions.

• Ownership: Takes responsibility for assignments through completion and follows up as needed.

• Organization: Effectively manages multiple priorities, deadlines, and stakeholders.

• Client Service: Demonstrates responsiveness, professionalism, and adaptability.

• Communication: Communicates effectively with attorneys, clients, and colleagues.

• Relationship Management: Builds trusted and productive working relationships.

• Discretion: Maintains confidentiality and handles sensitive information appropriately.

• Technology: Effectively uses Firm technology and adapts to new systems and tools.

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The target salary range for this role is:

Salaries vary by location and are based on numerous factors, including, but not limited to, the relevant market, skills, experience, and education of the selected candidate. Our compensation package also includes bonus eligibility and a comprehensive benefits program. Benefits information can be found at Sidley.com/Benefits.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the Duties and Responsibilities above satisfactorily and meet the requirements. The requirements listed above are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. If you need such an accommodation, please email [email protected] (current employees should contact Human Resources).

Sidley Austin LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.