Senior Legal Secretary, Litigation
About the position
Responsibilities
- Drafts complex correspondence and documents (e.g., court forms, pleadings, e-mails responding to client inquiries) and anticipate attorneys' need for same.
- Demonstrates expertise in Litigation-specific topics, procedures, and software.
- Accurately transcribes from tapes, handwritten materials and/or dictation.
- May assist with ensuring attorney e-mails and documents are properly filed in iManage.
- Prints and organizes a variety of documents received in a range of formats.
- Assumes responsibility for maintaining the highest level of confidentiality of all Firm and client information, records, and files, both within and outside of the Firm.
- Following the Firm’s established document processing methods and procedures, creates, edits, and proofreads work product to ensure accuracy and completeness.
- Interacts directly with a wide variety of clients in a friendly, helpful, and professional manner.
- Schedules and maintains timekeepers’ calendars, where appropriate. Maintains lawyer-client contact information and other pertinent information in the Firm’s client contact database program.
- Inputs, reviews, edits, and closes time entries through the Firm’s web-based time entry program using Firm standards.
- Handles monthly client billing (paper and e-billing). Reviews billing pre-bills for accuracy and completeness. Performs client, matter and timekeeper inquiries, and narrative edits.
- Prepares attorneys’ expense reports in a timely manner. Arranges for payment of vendor invoices or checks to be drawn and charged to appropriate client/matter numbers.
- Coordinates travel arrangements through in-house Travel Department.
- Generates client conflict checks, opens new matters, and drafts and maintains client engagement letters.
- Coordinates file retention and retrieval with Records Department for file retrieval. Sets up and maintains timekeeper’s work files, including daily and regular filing. Indexes and prepares files for off-site storage.
- Answers telephones and accurately takes and relays messages, as requested.
- Arranges for video conferencing and sets up conference calls.
- Volunteers for overflow work and ad-hoc projects as assigned.
- Actively seeks to maximize productivity and promote teamwork.
- Puts clients first.
- Interacts directly with a wide variety of clients in a friendly, helpful, and professional manner.
- Responds to customer/client requests, identifies issues/problems in a timely manner, and seeks feedback/follow-up as appropriate.
- Builds effective working relationships with clients and colleagues.
- Takes initiative beyond routine responsibility.
- Seeks out and accepts new responsibilities.
- Seeks development opportunities to enhance skills.
- Participates in firm training opportunities; participates in training of other employees and staff members in order to promote cross-training of all employees, assists colleagues in learning new skills/tasks in order to integrate them into the team.
- Consistently delivers high level client service.
- Owns mistakes and takes corrective action.
- Meets work deadlines as assigned.
- Meets firm standards for attendance and punctuality.
- Meets deadlines for all required firm processes.
- Works well independently.
- Demonstrates dedication to producing quality work product.
- Detailed oriented when completing work assignments.
- Organizes and prioritizes workload appropriately.
- Utilizes resources appropriately to complete work in the most efficient manner.
- Cooperates and demonstrates flexibility when facing change.
- Demonstrates knowledge of the culture, practices, business, and structure of the firm.
- Demonstrates knowledge and adherence to basic firm policies, procedures and processes.
- Interacts effectively and courteously, in person, by telephone, and in writing with clients, attorneys, supervisors, co-workers, and other business professionals.
- Proactively communicates the status of work.
- Asks for help. Understands the need to ask questions and seek guidance.
- Expresses thoughts clearly, accurately, and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
- Builds effective relationships with coworkers.
- Participates and contributes fully as a team member.
- Utilizes available technology to carry out job responsibilities.
- Determines most appropriate technology to accomplish a given task.
- Seeks ways to utilize technology to improve efficiency.
Requirements
- Five (5)+ years of legal secretarial experience in a large law firm preferred.
- Litigation background needed.
- Keeps abreast of practice area processes as appropriate to the position.
- Thorough knowledge of office organization, workflow and procedures.
- Thorough knowledge and use of firm technology tools; share knowledge with colleagues.
- Demonstrates ability to multi-task and handle competing priorities without sacrificing attention to detail.
- Demonstrates ability to communicate with finesse, use tact, diplomacy and discretion with firm contacts and clients.
- Takes initiative to learn new skills that will contribute to enhanced performance of the role.
- Demonstrates ability to work independently as well as part of a team, as needed.
- Excellent organizational skills
- Creative and efficient problem-solver
- “Can do” attitude
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office
- 60 wpm typing speed
- Excellent grammar, spelling, punctuation, and communication skills
- Attention to detail and good organizational and analytical skills
- Flexible attitude and the ability to deal well with changing assignments and priorities
- Ability to multi-task
Benefits
- Our benefits package includes coverage options for medical, dental, vision, prescription drug, life insurance, disability, FSAs, 401K, and paid time off.
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