Entry Level Legal Assistant Jobs in Springfield, VA

WilmerHale is a leading, full-service international law firm with 1,000 lawyers located throughout 12 offices in the United States and Europe. Our lawyers work at the intersection of government, technology and business, and we remain committed to our guiding principles of providing quality, excellent legal and client services; developing diversity among our lawyers and staff and cultivating an environment that promotes an ambitious spirit, collaboration and collegiality by drawing on the extraordinary talents and dynamic experience of our lawyers. Our goal is to reflect the diversity of our clients and the communities in which we practice.
About the Role
Responsible for the effective, efficient, and consistent delivery of programs and projects in alignment with the Firm's overall competency-based talent management program for lawyers, primarily focusing on legal personnel.
What You Will Be Doing
Legal Personnel and Development:

• In collaboration with the Legal Personnel team, coordinates the semi-annual evaluation processes for associates, senior associates, counsel, special counsel, discovery attorneys, and staff attorneys.
• In collaboration with the Legal Personnel Manager, acts as a consultant and cultivates strong working relationships with the Career Advancement Program partner mentors and their associate and counsel mentees.
• Coordinates all aspects of the attorney departure and transition process. Effectively conducts exit interviews of departing lawyers and exercises sound judgment in escalating matters that require management's attention. Assists Legal Personnel Manager with exit interview analysis.
• Learns and understands the firm's leave and reduced hours policies. Takes the lead on communication with attorneys regarding leaves. Closely tracks leave and reduced hours' time.
• Compiles and analyzes statistical information and creates necessary reports to assist with various information requests and survey submissions.
• In collaboration with the Recruiting team, coordinates aspects of the arrival process for entry level and lateral hires, including assigning formal peer and partner mentors and helping with integration.
• Collaborates with managers to implement the annual attorney compensation process.
• Responsible for developing a comprehensive knowledge of all firm policies and practices as it relates to attorneys and works to ensure the appropriate implementation of each.
• Updates Oracle, the firm's HRIS system, as needed. Maintains attorney personnel information, files, and records to ensure accuracy and confidentiality of the same.
• Completes monthly reporting for attorneys not admitted to practice and conducts necessary follow up to ensure individual compliance.
• Assists with planning and coordinating various firm-wide and local programs, events, and meetings, including securing of meeting rooms, meeting room preparation, on-site coordination, and trouble shooting.
• Supports Legal Personnel projects and performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Budget:

• In alignment with the firm's strategic goals, objectives, and initiatives, assists with the annual budget preparation and monthly monitoring of accounts, anticipates and resolves discrepancies, handles related payments, reimbursements, and issues.

Service Excellence:

• Demonstrates a strong commitment to professionalism, delivering high-quality service, and maintaining a positive, solution-oriented ("can-do") approach. Effectively supports internal departments, external clients, and vendors through clear, courteous communication via electronic correspondence, telephone, and in-person interactions.

Required Skills
What You Will Bring to This Position
• Strong attention to detail, excellent written and analytical skills, and ability to multi-task and take ownership and initiative are required.
• Ability to work in a team environment is critical. Motivation and drive are important.
• Successful time management skills are required.
• Strong data analysis skills are required, including the ability to compile, review and determine logical conclusions or recommendations based on data or information that is varied in content or format.
• Excellent technical skills required, including proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, with the ability to use Excel functions such as equations and pivot tables.
• Proficiency in talent management software systems preferred such as viDesktop and Oracle.
• Demonstrated knowledge of legal personnel principles, policies, practices, issues, and processes.
• Strong oral and written communications skills, including thorough knowledge of business English, grammar, spelling, and punctuation and ability to compose routine business correspondence.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively with people at all levels, both inside and outside WilmerHale.
• Ability to work effectively with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated experience handling highly sensitive and confidential matters discreetly.
• Remains open to technological change as generative AI becomes more integrated into the firm's practice, actively develop comfort with new tools, and adapt how work is performed to support efficiency and innovation.
Required Experience
• One to three years of experience, preferably in law firm or other professional services firm.
• Experience working in a professional environment and interfacing with significantly senior colleagues is required.
• Prior experience working independently or with little supervision on some projects.
Education:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience is required.

Why Join Us?
A values-driven firm that fosters collaboration and respect
The hiring range for this position is $74,800 - $93,500 annually, with final compensation based on experience, qualifications and internal equity.
This position is eligible for a Hybrid Schedule
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) with company match and profit-sharing options
Paid time off and holidays
For additional information about our benefits, please click here
Our Commitment
Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP (WilmerHale) is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to compliance with all applicable laws prohibiting employment discrimination. It is our policy to take all employment actions and make all employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, citizenship status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, disability, military status, status as a disabled or other protected veteran, or any other protected status under applicable law. WilmerHale will make reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and otherwise as required by applicable law.
For more information about Equal Employment Opportunity, please click here.
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This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by employees in the position. It is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills for positions. The firm reserves the right at all times, in its sole discretion, to add or subtract duties and responsibilities, as it deems necessary.