Legal Assistant - International Trade (Washington, D.C.)

At Taft, we work as one team, driven and committed to helping our clients succeed. A full-service law firm with more than 1,250 attorneys and over 2,000 on our team, we have the collaborative approach, advanced technological resources, and depth of services that make us a preeminent law firm.

Taft is seeking an International Trade Legal Assistant to join our team in our Washington, DC – Dupont Circle Office

We are seeking a legal assistant to work assist our International Trade group in our Washington, D.C. Dupont office. A Legal Assistant serves clients by providing administrative support to attorneys and other professionals. All Taft employees operate under a “Client First” philosophy – in all things, we seek to provide exceptional services to our clients.

Responsibilities:

  • Exhibits outstanding client service orientation responding to work requests, scheduling meetings, and conducting telephone conferences with clients
  • Provides proactive administrative support for Trade attorneys and professional staff
  • Displays strong attention to detail
  • Maintains strict confidentiality with all matters and information
  • Responds to requests with a sense of urgency and effectively prioritizes work
  • Interacts with client, agency and court personnel, attorneys and staff in a professional manner to obtain and provide data, answer questions
  • Prepares and reviews letters and memoranda according to Firm standards using word processing and document management systems
  • Proactively monitors deadlines
  • Processes requests for payment and reimbursements.
  • Creates, maintains and retires files in accordance with Taft’s Information Governance Policy
  • Assists in managing client contacts, emails, and print documents as well as processing mail
  • Clearly communicates in a concise, professional manne.
  • Provide back up and support to senior Trade Legal Assistant
  • Assist in monthly billing of clients for the group
  • Process expenses for attorneys
  • Maintain and keep updated, Trade calendars and contacts

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office programs is required
  • Proficiency with Kofax/Nuance, InTapp, LMS+, Adherent, iManage
  • Knowledge of legal process, general court operations
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Ability to reason and apply common sense understanding to resolve problems and carry out instructions furnished verbally or in writing
  • Ability to occasionally work more than 37.5 hours per week

Education and Experience:

  • 2 1/2+ years legal assistance experience in a law firm setting.
  • Education beyond high school or coursework related to the legal industry preferred.
  • Ability to read, understand and interpret complex documents related to international trade matters
  • Proficiency in a foreign language a plus

Taft offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, life, long-term disability, flexible spending, 401K, Paid Time Off, paid holidays, bonus, and more. The salary range for this position is $80,000/yr. – $90,000/yr. Actual compensation offer to candidate may vary from posted information based on work experience, education, and/or skill level.

Candidates interested in Washington, D.C. should apply here.


Taft is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The information in this posting presents general duties, tasks, and responsibilities but is not intended to be an exhaustive listing. Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP participates in E-VERIFY.