Careers

The Norfolk office of Kaufman & Canoles seeks a qualified Legal Assistant to perform a variety of administrative duties in support of Litigation Attorneys. Candidates must possess a minimum of three years' relevant work experience or a combination of relevant work and educational experience, proficiency in Microsoft Office 2016, and typing skills at a level of 65 WPM. Exceptional organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail are essential.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Acts as liaison between current and potential clients and the attorneys by maintaining continual communications via email, telephone, and in person. Follows up with clients regarding status of cases, appointments, billing, etc.
• Prepares routine correspondence, pleadings, discovery documents, reports, letters, compliance and ethics handbooks, contracts, and other documents.
• Maintains attorneys’ calendars; schedules and follows up on all appointments (i.e., docketing case deadlines, courts, clients, case work, and potential clients).
• Responsible for ensuring timely filing with the courts and assisting attorneys in preparation for court appearances. Maintains court schedule and other case deadlines.
• Performs electronic filings.
• Opens, organizes, maintains, and closes paper and electronic client files.
• Creates binders to organize and index all documents for a particular matter.
• Prepares and sends billing statements monthly.
• Inputs timekeeper data.
• Performs a variety of other administrative tasks as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of three years’ relevant work experience in a professional office setting or a combination of relevant work and educational experience.
• Familiarity with Government Contracts and Construction litigation and its legal terminology preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 2016, time and billing software, dictation/transcription software, and document management software. Typing at a level of 65 WPM.
• Proven meticulous attention to detail and proofreading skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to multi-task and meet tight deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work successfully within a team environment.
• Operational knowledge of standard office equipment including copier, scanner, and telephone.
• Demonstrated proactive approach to problem-solving with strong decision-making capability.
• Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion, be adaptable to various competing demands, and demonstrate the highest level of client service and response.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, attorneys, co-workers, and other outside professionals.

BENEFITS:

We offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package. Benefits include: medical, dental, life insurance, 401(k)/profit sharing, paid time off, and long term and short term disability.

Kaufman & Canoles is committed to equal employment opportunity (EEO) in all aspects of our employment and retention practices and decisions.

Kaufman & Canoles is a highly respected corporate law firm with eight offices located throughout Virginia. The Kaufman & Canoles Norfolk office is seeking a government contracts and construction associate in its Litigation Section with 2-3 years of private practice experience. The candidate will be involved with construction litigation and government contract matters and assist in other commercial litigation practice areas.

Responsibilities:

• Represent clients in public and private construction and government contract claims and dispute resolution
• Provide effective practical advice to clients regarding construction and government contract issues
• Represent clients in bid protests (federal, state and local level)
• Assist white-collar attorneys in procurement fraud investigations and prosecutions
• Draft and negotiate construction contracts
• Assist in commercial litigation matters from initial intake through trial

Qualifications:

• Experience with public and private construction and government contract claims and dispute resolution
• Experience with federal, state and local public procurement-related issues
• Excellent writing, research, and analytical skills
• Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationship with clients, other firm attorneys, support staff and outside professionals

Education:

•  Juris Doctorate degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association with an outstanding academic record
• Admission to the Virginia Bar
• Judicial clerkship experience preferred

Benefits:

Kaufman & Canoles offers a generous compensation and benefits package which includes a competitive salary, medical, dental, life insurance, 401(k)/profit sharing, paid time off and long term disability.

Kaufman & Canoles is committed to equal employment opportunity in all aspects of our employment and retention practices and decisions.

Summer associates gain a truly realistic view of what an associate's life at our firm is all about. You'll have assignments from several areas of our practice and you'll have the opportunity to work with a variety of attorneys. You will attend courtroom proceedings, client conferences, closings, depositions and firm-sponsored seminars. We will also match you with lawyer mentors to enrich your professional development.

Quality of life is important to us, and being located in the heart of a resort destination will give you countless opportunities to see, learn and enjoy. The area offers boating, Triple-A baseball, concerts, theater, excellent museums and a world of outdoor activities, all in full swing during our summer program.

Summer associates experience all facets of life here, hard work included, so decisions about your future and full-time employment can be made with eyes wide open. If our past summer associates' experiences are any indication, you will love our philosophy of hard work and great rewards.

For information regarding diversity at Kaufman & Canoles, please click here.

Commitment to diversity is a core value at Kaufman & Canoles, and it is our mission to maintain equality throughout all aspects of our business.  Not only does it make us a stronger, better service provider for our clients, it is simply the right thing to do. That’s why we have established a Diversity & Inclusion Committee to:

• Develop policies to recruit, hire and retain more attorneys of diverse backgrounds;
• Promote the firm’s image as a leader in the profession and in our communities committed to inclusiveness in employment; and
• Emphasize the importance of diversity and inclusion in the firm’s recruiting, retention, mentoring, leadership development, training and community outreach.

In an effort to improve our recruiting of talented diverse attorneys, we focus on early identification of minority candidates who demonstrate an aptitude for and interest in the legal profession, sponsor events in our community that raise awareness and funds for minority organizations, attend diversity seminars, host minority recruiting events to introduce students to the firm, and serve on non-profit boards that promote diversity within our community.

Please click here to learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion.