Legal Administrative Assistant II

In 1921, State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company was founded. With three employees and a rented room in downtown Columbus, Ohio, Bob Pein set forth to tackle the inequities in the insurance industry. From the very beginning, State Auto advocated the independent agency system as the best approach to serving the needs of its policyholders.

This position is unique to House Counsel and reports directly to the Managing Attorney, serving as Administrative Assistant to him/her and one additional Staff Attorney. Excellent communication and writing skills are necessary along with clear understanding and at least 7 years experience in field of insurance defense litigation in the State of Texas or comparable position. Position requires the production of legal documents, letters, motions, discovery and other communications to counsel, insureds, courts and other legal professionals. In addition, position requires ability to enter new cases in electronic software system proprietary to State Auto, and, generally, run the law office in terms of billings and supplies, as well as greeting visitors to the office.

* Ability to prepare all forms of correspondence and varied documents on a personal computer with knowledge of Microsoft Word, Windows, Outlook, Lotus or Excel. Also included is any software that assists with legal filing, legal billing, or docketing of cases for hearing, pre-trial, trial, deposition or other critical dates routinely experienced in a busy trial practice. * Ability to understand instructions for, complete with appropriate direction, and timely file all legal pleadings with the various clerks at the courts in which we practice * Ability to schedule depositions involving all necessary parties, co-ordinate multiple calendars, and arrange for adequate facilities/conference rooms for depositions and witness meetings; ability to prepare and assist with trial exhibits. Ability to receive, review and assess routine office billings for utilities, supplies, postage, water, and to properly transmit them to Corporate Claims Legal for payment. * The successful candidate will also demonstrate an ability to think and act without direct supervision when necessary as well as motivate and supervise others. * Coordinate calendars of Attorneys, open and close suit files, maintain CMS and meet deadlines, maintain statistics/metrics required by Home Office.

**Minimum Experience / Education:** Must have thorough understanding of the processes of insurance defense litigation and be able to explain to insureds when asked. 7-10 years of legal administrative experience required, in law firm or house counsel operation; some college preferred; paralegal training a plus but this is not a paralegal position. **Communication and Collaboration Skills:** * Written: Incumbent must be able to type at least 70 words per minute accurately and be able to compose routine as well as non-routine correspondence in addition to the word processing and reports required by Attorneys. Communication must be accurate, tactful and concise. * Oral: Must have ability to simply and clearly explain to Claims and clients, the status of a case, and next scheduled event as well as communicate with medical and technical experts involved in the litigation process as witnesses. **Technical Knowledge:** Must have a thorough, working knowledge of the means by which word processing is accomplished through the use of such systems as Word, Windows, Outlook, Lotus/Excel and PowerPoint. Also, be knowledgeable of or quickly assimilate the requirements of software systems that assist the office in docketing and maintenance of case schedules, as well as legal billing systems. **Problem Solving:** Must be able to understand process and procedures well enough to think and act independently when necessary. Must be able to answer questions from Claims, clients and opposing counsel as to status of case, discovery, without supervision.