Legal Secretary - Location: Newport Beach, California
- Type: Direct Hire
- Job
- Salary: $1.00
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Law firm is looking for a Legal Secretary .
Location: Newport Beach, CA
Position: Legal Secretary (Direct Hire)
Pay Rate: $ 30-44/hr
Our client is an established mid-sized law firm with 5 offices throughout California and Nevada. Our firm provides a full range of transaction and litigation services. We represent a broad spectrum of clients, from major multinational corporations and financial institutions to family-owned small businesses and private individuals.
About the Role: - The Legal Secretary is a critical member of the team who supports attorneys in their practice by assisting in the preparation service and filing of legal documents, maintaining files and calendar, and performing general administrative/clerical duties.
- The ideal candidate is organized, accountable, independent, and reliable with a professional demeanor and communicates and interacts well with attorneys, management, and the rest of the legal support team. He/she must have excellent problem-solving, written and verbal communication, and multi-tasking skills.
Job Responsibilities: - Prepares documents from written and oral dictation; composes drafts, and revises documents, forms, and other items as required.
- Schedules couriers, notarial services, court reporters, and other special functions as needed.
- Transmits documents to clients, courts, and other agencies via appropriate method of service.
- Opens, reviews, and directs incoming mail.
- Composes, types, and distributes correspondence, including e-mail and faxes, using individual
initiative and as assigned.
- Organizes and maintains electronic file system; processes all documents for appropriate filing.
- Answers and screens telephone calls, assisting callers whenever possible without giving legal
advice; arranges conference calls.
- Coordinates attorney appointments and due date calendars, ensuring that all dates are communicated with the appropriate party.
- Prepares jury instructions and trial binders; coordinates trial exhibits.
- Arranges and coordinates travel and prepares expense reports.
- Processes client disbursements, expense reports, and timesheets.
- Ensures that billable hours are input into computer system correctly and in a timely manner
depending on individual attorney needs/assignment.
- Conducts research as requested utilizing appropriate reference sources.
- Assists in development and implementation of office systems and procedures as needed.
- Assists with special projects as assigned.
- Performs general clerical duties including but not limited to filing, photocopying, faxing, and
mailing as needed.
- Demonstrates a high level of professionalism in dealing with confidential and sensitive issues.
- Performs other related duties as assigned by management.
About You: - Dedicated, detail-oriented, and customer-service savvy interactions.
- Ability to interact effectively with a wide range of staff throughout the company.
- Aptitude in identifying and resolving issues in file resolution and litigation timeliness.
- Drafting and analytical skills to update and develop new operational procedures.
- Strong familiarity with civil procedure, including understanding motion content and court filings.
- Skill working with and driving attorneys.
Job Qualifications: - Associate's degree (A.A.) or equivalent, three to five years related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent grammatical and spelling skills.
- Proficient on Outlook and Microsoft products.
- Knowledge of court procedures and rules.
- Commitment to excellence and high standards.
- Strong organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills; able to manage priorities and workflow.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions
- Ability to deal effectively with a diversity of individuals at all organizational levels.
- Good judgement with the ability to make timely and sound decisions
- Creative, flexible, and innovative team player
- Ability to work independently and as a member of various teams and committees.
- Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work within constantly changing priorities with enthusiasm.
- Acute attention to detail.
- Demonstrated ability to plan and organize projects.
- Ability to perform diversified clerical functions and basic accounting procedures.
- Ability to effectively communicate with people at all levels and from various backgrounds.
Preferred Qualifications: - Preferably with 5+ years of experience in litigation (insurance defense, construction, civil lit or personal injury).
Competencies: - Oral Communication-Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
- Written Communication-Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
- Planning/Organizing-Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for
additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their
tasks; Develops realistic action plans.
- Professionalism-Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats
others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts
responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
- Attendance/Punctuality-Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities
are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
- Dependability-Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility
for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
Physical Demands and Work Environment: - Frequently required to sit
- Occasionally required to stand and walk
- Frequently required to utilize hand and finger dexterity
- Occasionally required to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel or crawl
- Frequently required to talk or hear
- Frequently required to utilize visual acuity to operate equipment, read technical information, and/or use a keyboard
- Occasionally required to lift/push/carry items less than 25 pounds
The Firm culture is about teamwork, support, good communication, a work/life balance, and professional development opportunities. They offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Medical, Dental, Vision insurance
- 401(k) + Employer Match
- Supplemental Insurance Options (LTD, Life, STD, Critical Illness, etc.)
- Professional Development Opportunities
- Paid vacation
- Paid sick days
- Paid holidays