Collections Specialist

DLA Piper is, at its core, bold, exceptional, collaborative and supportive.  Our people are the backbone, heart and soul of our firm.  Wherever you are in your professional journey, DLA Piper is a place you can engage in meaningful work and grow your career.  Let’s see what we can achieve. Together.

Summary

The Collections Specialist, in collaboration with and in support of the firm’s strategic initiatives, plays a critical role in assisting the Collections Managers in various financial and administrative functions. This position supports client onboarding, vendor documentation, payment processing, and financial reporting, ensuring efficiency and accuracy in accounting operations.

Location   

This position can sit in our Palo Alto, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Diego, or Seattle office and offers a hybrid work schedule.

Responsibilities  

·         Client Onboarding Support: Assist in gathering required financial documents, setting up new client profiles, and ensuring compliance with onboarding procedures.

·         Vendor Forms Management: Complete and process vendor forms as requested, ensuring accuracy and alignment with company policies.

·         Payment Processing: Handle credit card payments, verify transactions, and ensure timely posting to accounts.

·         Report Generation: Run and analyze reports related to outstanding balances, collections activity, and financial transactions, providing insights for management decisions.

·         Payment Research: Investigate and analyze payment discrepancies, track missing transactions, and coordinate with internal teams or clients to resolve financial issues.

·         Refunds: Gather, prepare and submit documentation in Chrome River in order refund overpayments received from clients.

·         Administrative Assistance: Provide general support to collections managers, including communication with clients or vendors

·         May perform other duties and projects as assigned.

Desired Skills   

Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, client-focused environment, demonstrating expertise in customer service, financial analysis, and business operations. Intermediate-level skills in Microsoft Word and Excel, with the ability to learn additional tools through in-house training. Technical skill proficiency with Aderant, Chrome River, Workday, PayPal, MS Office Suite, and ARCS is a plus.

Strong verbal and written communication skills required to interact effectively with staff, attorneys, and clients. Ability to analyze financial data, research payments, and resolve discrepancies with accuracy. Capacity to maintain files and manage multiple tasks efficiently. Must be able to handle client objections and find solutions that benefit both the client and the company. Strong focus on accuracy in processing financial data and reporting. Adaptability in a fast-paced environment with the ability to work efficiently in a dynamic and deadline-driven setting.

Minimum Education   

·         High School Diploma or GED.

Preferred Education 

·         Associate's Degree.

Minimum Years of Experience  

·         5 years of experience in a professional accounting role within collections, accounts receivable, or financial administration in a law firm.

Essential Job Expectations

While the specific job requirements of a DLA Piper position may vary depending upon scope of the job and area of specialty, there are certain universal requirements that are expected of all DLA Piper employees, which include but are not limited to:   

·         Effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and third parties.

·         Produce deliverables, answer phone calls, and reply to correspondence in an efficient and responsive manner.

·         Provide timely, accurate, and quality work product.

·         Successfully meet deadlines, expectations, and perform work duties as required.

·         Foster positive work relationships.

·         Comply with all firm policies and practices. 

·         Engage in both physical and sedentary activity, such as (a) working at a computer for extended periods of time, including on-screen reading and typing; (b) participating in digital/virtual conference calls; (c) participating in meetings as needed.

·         Ability to work under pressure and manage competing demands in a fast-paced environment.

·         Perform all other duties, tasks or projects as assigned.   

Our employees are expected to embrace and uphold our firm values as a part of our DLA Piper culture. We are committed to excellence in how we represent our clients and develop our people.   

Physical Demands

Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.   

Work Environment   

The individual selected for this position may have the opportunity for a hybrid work arrangement comprised of remote and in-office work, the requirement for which will be determined in coordination with the hiring manager or supervisor and may be modified in the firm’s discretion in the future.

Disclaimer   

The purpose of this job description is to provide a concise statement of the work elements and to organize and present the information in a standardized way. It is not intended to describe all the elements of the work that may be performed by every individual in this classification, nor should it serve as the sole criteria for personnel decisions and actions. The job duties, requirements, and expectations for this position may be modified at the Firm’s discretion at any time. This job description does not change the at-will nature of employment.

Application Process    
Applicants must apply directly online instead of sending application materials via email.
 

Accommodation   

Reasonable accommodations may be made upon request to permit individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions and responsibilities of the position or to participate in the job selection process. If you have a request for an accommodation during the application process, please contact careers@us.dlapiper.com.

Agency applications will not be considered.    

No immigration sponsorship is available for this position.   

The firm’s expected hiring range for this position is $34.08 - $53.17 per hour depending on the candidate’s geographic market location. Non-exempt positions will be paid on an hourly basis and paid overtime in accordance with applicable laws.

The compensation offered for employment will also be dependent on other factors including the candidate’s experience, skills, educational and professional background, and overall qualifications. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k).

Non-California applicants who apply for this California-based role do so voluntarily and are not eligible for relocation assistance. Relocation benefits, if any, are provided only where a relocation is required at the firm’s direction and in accordance with applicable policy and law.

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DLA Piper is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. Job applicant poster viewing center.