Commercial Lending Legal Assistant

At Lerch, Early & Brewer, a law firm in Bethesda, Maryland, we’re more than a law firm — we’re trusted partners to our clients. Our Commercial Lending team handles sophisticated commercial lending and transactional work for regional and national clients. We take pride in our collaborative culture, practical problem-solving, and dedication to both our clients and our people.

We’re seeking an Experienced Commercial Lending Legal Assistant who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys being at the center of complex deals. This role is ideal for someone who’s organized, proactive, and enjoys keeping a team running smoothly throughout every stage of a transaction.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Support attorneys through all phases of commercial lending transactions — from due diligence to closing and post-closing;
• Draft, edit, and finalize loan documents, correspondence, and closing binder;
• Manage checklists, track deadlines, and coordinate closing logistics with clients and lenders;
• Organize transaction files and maintain paper and electronic client records as required by firm policy;
• Produce professional and accurate documents using the firm’s standard data solutions (Office 16; Adobe Pro, iManage, etc.);
• Collaborate with billing specialists and attorneys to prepare and finalize client invoices;
• Coordinate conflict checks, opening and closing client files with Records Department staff;
• Interact with clients by phone, email, and in person to schedule meetings and process requests on behalf of the attorneys; and
• Be a go-to resource for your team- keeping everyone informed, on track, and ahead of schedule.

Desired Skills and Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of legal secretary/legal assistant experience in a law firm or corporate legal environment;
• 3+ years of experience as a legal assistant in commercial lending, banking, or real estate finance;
• Strong working knowledge of loan documentation and closing procedures;
• Sharp attention to detail and a love for keeping things organized;
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills with the ability to prioritize and multitask to meet deadlines;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Adobe PDF); experience with iManage or similar document management system;
• Typing skills of 55+ wpm; excellent spelling, grammar and proofreading skills;
• Ability to work independently and complete assignments with limited guidance;
• Strong interpersonal skills for working in a team environment and ability to develop and maintain positive and productive relationships with staff, attorneys, and clients;
• Good discretion and ability to maintain confidential information;
• Adaptable to changing priorities and the ability to remain calm in time-sensitive, high-pressure situations; and
• Reliable and dependable.

Benefits:

Lerch, Early & Brewer offers excellent benefits, including health and dental insurance, paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, and 401(k). The firm is conveniently located near the Bethesda Metro.

The starting salary for this position is $80K per year (based on experience), with potential for bonuses.

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we hire attorneys and staff with a broad variety of backgrounds and capabilities.

Application Instructions:

Apply on LinkedIn with your updated resume attached, OR send a cover letter and resume to recruitment@lerchearly.com and note that you are applying for the Legal Assistant – Commercial Lending position.

Help Us Learn About You:

The best applicants provide a cover letter explaining their interest in a career as a Commercial Lending Legal Assistant and their interest in working at Lerch, Early & Brewer. We’d love to learn about you, so please share information you think distinguishes you from other candidates.