Legal Secretary (Corporate)

Akin•Houston, LA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. We are currently seeking a Legal Secretary to support the Corporate practice in the Houston office, reporting to the Office Administrator. The role will reside in the Houston office with hybrid work capabilities and will be responsible for providing secretarial and administrative support to attorneys, advisors and other administrative personnel as assigned. Legal Secretaries are expected to perform all job duties with a commitment to providing superior service to clients, producing quality work products, and maintaining an atmosphere of teamwork and continuous improvement.

Requirements

High School Diploma or equivalent
Minimum of three years of secretarial experience supporting partner level attorneys
Ability to type at least 70 words per minute with accuracy
Thorough knowledge of MS Office applications including Word 7 and Outlook
Advanced proficiency in complex travel arrangements
Thorough knowledge of the proper preparation of time records, expense reports, client bills and conflict-checking forms (if applicable to position)
Excellent written and oral communication skills, including grammar, spelling and punctuation
Ability to read, comprehend and follow instructions
Thorough familiarity with legal terminology pertinent to general legal concepts and specific area(s) of assignment
Proficiency with advanced telephone functions, including conference calling and voicemail
Excellent telephone manner
Familiarity with legal filing and record-keeping practices
Strong organizational skills
Ability to perform clerical tasks with a high degree of accuracy
Proficiency on office equipment used on a regular basis including computers, printers, copy machines, facsimile machines, telephones and transcription machines
Ability to work independently and as a member of a team, take initiative, set priorities and see projects through completion
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, meet deadlines, handle multiple tasks, and respond to changing priorities
Ability to establish effective working relationships within the office and firm, and with clients, vendors and others outside the firm
Ability to perform mathematical functions - add, subtract, multiply, divide, work with percentages, etc.
Ability to be flexible to the changing demands of a busy office environment.
Ability to work overtime to meet the needs of attorney deadlines.
Strong service orientation
Commitment to maintaining confidentiality of client and office information, and adhering to the Firm’s Core Values
Commitment to professional growth

Nice To Haves

Specialized secretarial degree, associate and/or bachelor's degree desirable but not required
Shorthand or fast notes (if applicable to position)

Responsibilities

Type and edit on the computer system legal and other documents (including correspondence, memoranda, bills, timesheets and project work) from transcription tapes, handwritten or typed materials, or shorthand notes.
Copy, distribute, send (electronically and/or via mail, courier or express service), file and otherwise handle completed work.
Proofread and redline work for accuracy of copy, format, grammar, punctuation and syntax.
Receive, screen and transmit telephone calls, conference calls and messages to/from attorneys, clients and staff.
Handle incoming and outgoing mail.
Perform secretarial functions associated with firm administrative tasks, including processing new client/matter requests, client bills, time reports and expense reports.
Set up and maintain files.
Coordinate conferences, meetings and appointments.
Arrange domestic and international travel in partnership with the firm’s Travel Management Company, securing air and ground transportation, arranging hotel and/or meeting accommodations, preparing detailed itineraries and travel agendas.
Maintain attorney travel profile.
Coordinate work as needed with office, firm and third-party service departments, including Document Services, IT, Office Services, Conference Services, and Finance.
Provide secretarial assistance to visitors, summer associates and attorneys whose secretaries are absent.
Accept overflow work from the Office Administrator and the Secretary Coordinators as needed.