Sr Legal Secretary

Mercury Insurance Services, LLC•West Covina, CA

27d•$63,410 - $117,348

About The Position

Join an amazing team that is consistently recognized for our achievements and culture, including our most recent Forbes award of being one of America's Best Midsize Employers for 2025! Position Summary: Provides advanced secretarial and administrative support to professional legal staff. Demonstrates a high degree of legal knowledge, competence and secretarial skills. Prepares and files legal documents, motions, pleadings and correspondence of a legal nature as directed. Maintains attorneys calendar, sets court dates and appearances, and schedules meetings with witnesses and other involved parties. Maintains department records. May be required to support up to as many as three litigation attorneys. An in-person interview may be required during the hiring process The expected base salary for this position will vary depending on a number of factors, including relevant experience, skills and location. Why choose a career at Mercury? At Mercury, we have been guided by our purpose to help people reduce risk and overcome unexpected events for more than 60 years. We are one team with a common goal to help others. Everyone needs insurance and we can’t imagine a world without it. Our team will encourage you to grow, make time to have fun, and work together to make great things happen. We embrace the strengths and values of each team member. We believe in having diverse perspectives where everyone is included, to serve customers from all walks of life. We care about our people, and we mean it. We reward our talented professionals with a competitive salary, bonus potential, and a variety of benefits to help our team members reach their health, retirement, and professional goals. Learn more about us here: https://www.mercuryinsurance.com/about/careers Mercury Insurance 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, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Requirements

High School diploma or GED.
10+ years insurance defense or civil litigation experience supporting 2+ attorneys.
Advanced understanding of all court deadlines, Rules of Court, requirements for processing documents and all office and court processes.
Advanced knowledge regarding terminology, discovery, pleadings, civil court deadlines, trial prep and scheduling expert depositions both retained and non-retained.
Ability to multitask and prioritize assignments
organization skills with an eye for details
ability follow directions
typing minimum 75+ wpm
Advanced knowledge of legal terminology and legal document management (e.g., briefs, summonses, complaints, motions, pleadings and discovery).
Effective oral and written communication skills with knowledge of correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation usage
Ability to independently compose/draft routine pleadings and correspondence
Ability to independently utilize and process available resources
Detail orientated
Ability to accurately calendar and manage conflicts across multiple calendars
Proficient in Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel and Outlook

Nice To Haves

Vocational certification or training in the legal field.
10-15+ years insurance defense or a combination of both insurance defense and at minimum 2-4 years civil litigation experience.
Advanced legal secretary skills and experience supporting multiple attorneys 3+.
Experience in complex/multiple party cases.
Relevant work experience in the legal field; equivalent combination of education and/or experience considered.
Ability to work independently
Ability to multitask and prioritize
organization skills
Proactively handle tasks
75+ wpm
Advanced knowledge of local and state rules
Advanced verbal and written communication skills
Advanced experience and ability to accurately calendar and manage conflicts across multiple calendars
Advanced knowledge and proficiency in scheduling retained and non-retrained experts
Advanced experience in Trial and post-trial deadlines and pleadings.

Responsibilities

Produces information by transcribing, formatting, inputting, editing, retrieving, copying, and transmitting text, data, and graphics, coordinating case preparation
Drafting letters and documents, collecting and analyzing information
Complies complex legal documents and prepares for filing with Court
Produce high quality written communication, correcting and editing documents to ensure final copy conveys proper format and is correct in detail
Initiating telecommunications; organizing client conferences and attorney meetings
Assists in preparation of post-judgment motions, verdicts and cost bills
Prepares Answers, Cross-Complaints, discovery and all pleadings as directed by the handling attorney
Gathers evidence, anticipating changes in litigation
Follows up on delegated assignments to other legal staff
Maintains transcripts, documents and evidence
Handles files of highest complexity level and exposures; excess exposure cases; significant injuries; surgery or celebrity plaintiff or high profile cases; wrongful death; moderate to severe brain damage, etc.
Maintains record of claims and legal documents and case activity
Works independently with little or no direction to assist in work flow processes
Exeptional understanding of all court deadlines, Rules of Court, requirements for processing documents and all office and court processes
Handles complex correspondence and inquires with attorneys, clients, adjusters, courts, etc. through excellent written or telephone communcations skills
Coordinates legal services such as court reporting, copying and delivery agencies with or no direction
Ensures that written products convey the desired message, meet procedural requirements and are properly formatted, grammatically correct and free of all typographical and spelling errors
Effectively communicates at a high level with the claims, opposing counsel and clients regarding legal file
Independently carries out day to day activities in a logical and effective manner and completes work assignments promptly
Assures all work is prepared and timely submitted without delay.
Screens all incoming coorespondence, accurately identifying those items for personal attention and quickly distributes items for attorneys’ attention
Re-prioritizes individual workload, as necessary, to assure timeliness
Keeps attorney fully informed of developments which may affect specific items in order to maintain efficient workflow
Maintains client confidence by keeping client/attorney information confidential
Provides historical reference by developing and utilizaing filing and retrieval systems
Conserves Attorneys time by reading, researching, reviewing, verifying, and routing coorespondence, reports and legal documents to claims, opposing counsel and clients
Scheduling court reporters, expert witnesses and other experts for testimony at depositions and trial
Classifies, sort and file correspondence, articles, records and other documents
Operates standard and/or automated office equipment such as word processors, typewriters, transcribing software, case management software, photocopies, etc
Maintains attorney calendar by accurately recording court dates and appearances.
Schedules meetings, depositions, and appointments; Schedules internal conferences related to legal files
Assembles documents, reports and information as requested to prepare for meetings
Arranges necessary meeting spaces, secures conference rooms as needed
Informs participants of meeting dates, times and location
Independently resolves calendar conflicts by prioritizing and coordinates rescheduling dates
Tasks all deadlines in connection with appearances; tasks all deadlines in course and scope of daily job duties and upcoming assignments
Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities
Reads and understands professional publications regarding changes in Court rules and procedures
keeps current regarding changes in Court procedures and policies

Benefits

Competitive compensation
Flexibility to work from anywhere in the United States for most positions
Paid time off (vacation time, sick time, 9 paid Company holidays, volunteer hours)
Incentive bonus programs (potential for holiday bonus, referral bonus, and performance-based bonus)
Medical, dental, vision, life, and pet insurance
401 (k) retirement savings plan with company match
Engaging work environment
Promotional opportunities
Education assistance
Professional and personal development opportunities
Company recognition program
Health and wellbeing resources, including free mental wellbeing therapy/coaching sessions, child and eldercare resources, and more