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 North Ingalls Building location in Ann Arbor. The Legal Assistant position will primarily provide administrative and clerical support to the OGC's risk management and health law litigation team in a wide range of matters. This support will include assisting with litigation management functions and the management of subpoenas, deposition requests, and government inquiries. Strong candidates will possess a willingness to go the extra mile to support colleagues, have a strong moral compass, and act with integrity at all times. 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
- Share receptionist duties with other Michigan Medicine support staff and student temps
- 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
- Guide undergraduate student temps on assigned administrative tasks
- Other administrative duties as assigned
Required Qualifications*
- Minimum 3 years professional legal assistant experience performing job-relevant responsibilities (e.g. managing subpoenas for deposition or document production)
- 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 in a health care setting, including experience with hospital policies and procedures, hospital operations, and relevant laws and regulations (e.g., HIPAA, Michigan Mental Health Code) or transferable skills based on experience in another highly regulated industry
- Familiarity with document management/legal systems (e.g. NetDocs, 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.
Underfill Statement
This position may be underfilled at a lower classification depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate.
Additional Information
The University of Michigan is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and believes that diversity, broadly defined, is integral to institutional excellence.
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 anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO/AA Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
