Legal Secretary

Sidley Austin LLP • San Diego, CA

2d • $110,000 - $130,000

About The Position

A legal secretary assists lawyers and other legal personnel with regard to various administrative details; coordinates and maintains effective office procedures and efficient work flow; follows policies and procedures set by the Firm; establishes and maintains harmonious working relationships with all personnel, clients, vendors and guests of the Firm.

Requirements

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED)
• Five or more years of related work experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Thorough working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel), legal terminology and standard document formatting
• Types accurately at a minimum of 60 wpm
• Thoroughly understanding of civil litigation discovery and docketing processes
• Experience with State and Federal court filings, including ECF
• Experience with collaborating with support staff
• Strong organizational skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Good judgment
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Able to work harmoniously and effectively with others
• Able to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion
• Able to work under pressure
• Able to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree

Responsibilities

• Types, formats, edits and finalizes documents, including correspondence, memoranda and standard legal documents for transactional clients, including handling tasks related to transactional legal matters like contracts, mergers and acquisitions, where they would manage calendars, prepare legal documents, and coordinate communication between lawyers and clients during deal processes, in accordance with the Firm's document formatting standards using standard computer software specific to the legal industry.
• Ability to format and review of legal documents such as pleadings, briefs, motions, discovery requests, and correspondence, ensuring accuracy and compliance with court rules, in preparation for electronic submission with relevant state and federal courts.
• Support attorneys in pre-, during, and post-trial stages.
• Aid other Secretaries within assigned teams whenever necessary to meet Firm and client needs; organize and prioritize workload for maximum efficiency and facilitation of Firm and client goals. Foster professional, cooperative and supportive relationships with peers, superiors, and clients.
• Manages multiple lawyer-assignments and organizes clerical functions and work flow to meet administrative and client needs.
• Manages the onboarding of new clients from the processing of conflicts to the assignment of billing information. Works with various Firm departments and resources to complete engagement processes in an expedited and accurate manner.
• Enters, proofreads and posts lawyers' time entries. Works to ensure time entries are in compliance with client billing requirements and to ensure timeliness of entries in compliance with Firm policy.
• Coordinates travel arrangements, including air, hotel and ground transportation for lawyers and clients. Processes lawyers' travel expenses.
• Proofreads all documents, correspondence, etc., to ensure accuracy of copy, grammar, punctuation and syntax. Checks to ensure accuracy of jobs sent to duplicating service.
• Receives, screens telephone calls, conference calls and messages to lawyers, clients and staff (as directed from assignments). Works with various audio and video software to calendar and create calls on behalf of assignments.
• Promptly processes incoming and outgoing mail and distributes upon receipt (as directed from assignments).
• Coordinates conferences, meetings and appointments for lawyers and clients both in person and via remote options. As required, schedules conference rooms and food service using specific Firm software and procedures.
• Maintains calendars, contacts and client information through specific Firm software and procedures.
• Works with other Firm departments and resources to coordinate and complete tasks as necessary for the management of multiple responsibilities and assignments.
• Coordinates client billing with billing services (as directed from assignments).
• Maintains a safe and unobstructed work area, including a neat and well-organized desk. Demonstrates safe work practices.
• Maintains accuracy of electronic and hardcopy client files on a daily basis through both the Firm’s document management system and various electronic repositories for client materials in accordance with standards set by Records Management Center.
• Performs other work related duties as assigned or as judgment or necessity dictate.

Benefits

• Our compensation package also includes bonus eligibility and a comprehensive benefits program.
• Benefits information can be found at Sidley.com/Benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED