Professional Personnel

Chief Operating Officer

Due to the retirement of the Firm’s current Chief Operating Officer, Jennings, Strouss & Salmon, P.L.C., a mid-sized, multi-office law firm based in Phoenix, Arizona, seeks a highly qualified and experienced COO.  In addition to the responsibility of the administrative and financial areas of the Firm, the COO is actively involved in the formulation of competitive strategy and growth planning.  The position reports to the Firm’s three-member Management Committee and is expected to be an active participant in Management Committee meetings and deliberations.

About the Position

The Chief Operating Officer is responsible for all administrative functions and the day-to-day operations of the Firm.  Reporting to the position are the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Information Officer, Director of Human Resources, Director of Marketing and Communications, Director of Records and Office Services, and Director of Client Finance.

The primary responsibility of the COO is to ensure that all business operations of the Firm are successfully run, and attorneys and clients receive appropriate support in the most cost-effective manner.  In addition, it is expected that the COO will be responsible for the attainment of short and long-term financial and operational goals, as well as the monitoring of the financial operation of the Firm as a means of increasing revenue streams.

It is the specific role of the COO to monitor the profitability and utilization of practice areas and attorneys, provide the Management Committee with appropriate profitability analyses, and recommend opportunities for growth.

It is further expected that the COO will maintain current knowledge of the industry and will assist the Management Committee in creating and implementing a strategic direction to continue the Firm’s success while maximizing profitability and long-term growth opportunities.

About the Person

The candidate will have a minimum of ten years of successful experience in the general management/administration of a professional service business, including responsibility in financial reporting, strategic planning, and the use of technology as a means of improving productivity.

The successful candidate must possess excellent communication, administrative, management, and leadership abilities. The candidate must be able to work with only general direction while providing specific direction and strategic guidance to directors and supervisors. He/she must communicate complex information and ideas effectively and efficiently (both orally and in writing) to personnel at all levels of the Firm with minimal preparation, and display initiative and attention to detail.  The candidate must be capable of dealing with difficult situations and people, handling multiple priorities, rapidly analyzing issues, anticipating, consequences, and initiating action.  He or she must possess excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to motivate employees, and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of firm personnel and diverse groups of people.  It is also important that the COO have a strong personal presence and the ability to act as an external representative of the organization.

A bachelor’s degree in business, management finance, or related field is required.  An MBA and/or CPA is preferred. Experience as the Executive Director or COO of a mid-sized or larger multi-office law firm is strongly preferred.

The Firm offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package that is consistent with industry standards in our community. The actual salary is dependent upon qualifications. The Firm is an equal opportunity employer.

About the Firm

Jennings, Strouss & Salmon was founded in 1942 and is one of the premier law firms in Arizona.  The Firm also maintains offices in Peoria and Tucson, Arizona, and Washington, D.C.

Jennings Strouss combines the professional opportunities and rewards of working for a prestigious, highly respected law firm, with the lifestyle benefits of living in the beautiful Southwestern United States. A firm of this size enables it to offer many of the resources and benefits of a “large” firm environment while maintaining a personal, collegial atmosphere. The firm’s clients range from small entrepreneurial businesses to Fortune 500 companies.

The company has been recognized year-after-year as an exemplary law firm/employer, earning honors and awards from third-party surveyors such as “Best Places to Work,” “Most Admired Companies,” and “Top Companies to Work for in Arizona.” For more details about Jennings Strouss, please refer to the Firm’s website at www.jsslaw.com.

Applicants should provide, in confidence, an application letter along with a current resume electronically to our Managing Attorney, John C. Norling, at jnorling@jsslaw.com.

Apply Now

The Marketing Assistant will support Jennings, Strouss & Salmon’s marketing department with administrative and public relations-oriented tasks to ensure the functionality and coordination of the Firm’s activities and business development. This team member must be professional, an effective communicator, detail-oriented, enthusiastic, driven, creative, and committed to promoting the Firm’s mission and brand. This position reports to the Director of Marketing and Communications and works closely with the Marketing and Events Coordinator. Critical features of this job are described under the headings below. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.

Responsibilities:

• Assist with the development, production, and distribution of business development materials, announcements, advertisements, invitations, and other marketing materials
• Update and optimize Jennings, Strouss & Salmon’s website including the Firm’s blogs
• Assist with the development and coordination of the Firm’s advertising plan and create advertising graphics
• Draft and issue press releases
• Draft and circulate media pitches to print media/radio/TV contacts and coordinate potential attorney interviews/article contributions
• Create social media graphics and draft posts
• Draft and submit information for award nominations, surveys, and listings, including Best Law Firms, Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and other directories
• Assist with Response for Proposals (RFPs), Request for Qualifications (RFQs), and other official proposal requests, and track and compile activity reports
• Assist with attorney, practice groups and industry groups goals, action items, and marketing/business development reporting
• Assist with PowerPoint presentations and handout materials
• Work with the accounting department to process marketing expenses and invoices
• Manage requests for Firm logos and advertisements, and ensure brand standards are enforced
• Calendaring and coordinating meetings and appointments
• Update spreadsheets and databases with information
• Assist the marketing team with miscellaneous projects and internal events

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or related field
• Superior attention to detail
• Familiar with the best and most current aspects of marketing strategy and technology
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, the ability to work independently and with other teams, and the capacity to effectively prioritize projects is critical
• Multi-task effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent problem solving skills
• Solid research and analytical skills
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• Comfortable interacting with attorneys and across departments
• Excellent writing and proofreading skills
• Intermediate skills required in Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Must be proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign)
• Experience with online marketing tools, such as Trello, MailChimp, and Survey Monkey
• Flexible, adaptable, and a positive attitude· Knowledge of SEO is a plus
• Flexibility to attend events on nights and weekends, as needed

Apply Now

Jennings Strouss & Salmon, PLC (Phoenix) is looking for a full-time litigation paralegal with a minimum of 3 years’ recent experience in cases arising from employment, commercial, or tort disputes.

Job Description:

Candidates will be involved in and assist with all aspects of case preparation and file management from commencement through settlement or trial.

Requirements:

• Responsible for overall case file maintenance, including administrative case management and litigation support, including the coordination of document production, organizing and indexing documents, preparing witness files and exhibits, disclosure statements, and assisting during depositions and trials;

• Assist attorneys with all phases of discovery, including first draft of responses to discovery as directed;

• Manage, organize and update large volumes of documents including hard copies and electronic files and maintain a master set of all documents;

• Assist with the preparation and drafting of briefs, memoranda, exhibits;

• Work closely with the attorneys and support staff to facilitate a seamless flow of information among the litigation team and maintain and manage attorney calendar for court deadlines;

• Organize and synthesize information through the preparation of summaries, chronologies, reports, spreadsheets;

• Draft and review routine legal documents (e.g., correspondence, privilege logs, exhibit lists, discovery, disclosures, etc.);

• Assist attorneys on cases by providing computerized support to help them plan, organize, research, analyze, argue and present their cases in a more cost and time efficient manner;

• Provide the day-to-day support of data management.

Candidates must have a general knowledge of state and federal court rules, procedures and e-filing requirements, as well as excellent communication skills for contacting clients, experts, and other outside parties; have excellent proofreading skills; be self-motivated; and a team player.

Apply Now

Jennings Strouss & Salmon PLC, is seeking an experienced Legal Assistant/Secretary for its Tucson, Arizona, office.

Primary Responsibilities

• Ability to draft standard pleadings, correspondence, memoranda and other documents.
• Participates in the timely review and submission of prebills and/or client bills.
• Must have strong clerical skills including typing, transcribing, word processing, mail and contact management, spreadsheets, presentations, and all of the firm’s systems and databases.
• Accurately files court documents both electronically and in document form and able to determine and follow any local or judge specific requirements related to same.
• Regularly and accurately proofreads all documents to ensure accuracy and completeness prior to distribution or filing.
• Regularly anticipates the needs of assigned attorneys in order to promote timekeeper efficiencies (i.e., drafts correspondence, prepares shell pleading and discovery documents in advance).
• Routinely reviews and follows-up on client deadlines and calendar appointments.
• Coordinates and makes necessary arrangements for meetings (i.e., depositions, mediations, interviews, and vendor and facility reservations).
• Regularly and consistently updates client files, notebooks, and pleading indices.
• Maintains attorney specific case lists, charts, and status of cases and outcomes.
• Properly prioritizes work assignments.
• Consistently completes assigned tasks when expected.
• Able to juggle multiple assignments and/or deadlines while maintaining a professional demeanor and timely seeks assistance when needed.
• Willing and capable to offer assistance to others when needed.
• Enter, review and revise timesheets accurately.
• Proofread all documents independently and effectively to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Effectively manage and monitor calendaring of deadlines and key dates.
• This posting is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of essential functions, responsibilities or requirements.

Personal Attributes

• Maintains an exceptional customer service attitude and demeanor at all times.
• Flexible and willing to pitch in wherever needed.
• Takes ownership; gets the job done without the need for prodding or supervision.
• Demonstrates a positive attitude and is approachable.
• Adapts well to fluctuations in workload and changes in responsibilities.
• Maintains a professional demeanor in high-stress situations.
• Exhibits confident and professional verbal communication skills.
• Maintains a positive and “can do” attitude when dealing with clients, co-workers, and attorneys.
• Contributes to an atmosphere of teamwork and congeniality.

Skills and Abilities

• 5+ years of progressively responsible and varied legal secretarial experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of legal terminology, legal documents, and legal processes.
• Accurate typing at a net speed of 65+ wpm.
• Strong computer proficiency in the use of MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook), Document Management System, Time Entry, e-Filing and database software.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal; demonstrated understanding of correct grammar, spelling and punctuation.
• Ability to work effectively and proactively within a team environment.
• Strong time management skills and the ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Attendance & Punctuality: Be consistently at work and on time; arrive at meetings and appointments on time; ensure work responsibilities are covered when absent.
• Communication: Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Customer Service: Respond promptly to attorney and client requests for service and assistance; meet commitments.
• Dependability: Follow instructions; complete tasks on time; commit to the hours necessary to complete assignments; work independently.
• Professionalism: Approach others in a tactful manner; treat others with respect; react well under pressure.
• Team Work: Contribute to building a positive team spirit; support everyone’s efforts to succeed.
• Technical Skills: Possess exceptional PC skills; ability to use phone system, copier, scanner, fax, and printer.

Strong organizational skills, interpersonal skills, and attention to detail.

Apply Now