Litigation Legal Secretary

Responsible for providing secretarial services as described in the areas below to assigned attorneys and as needed for other firms' members. The duties and responsibilities outlined may not be all-encompassing as attorneys or client needs may change. P ractice areas include capital markets/securities, commercial finance, mergers and acquisitions, and joint ventures, derivatives and commodities, employment law and benefits, energy and project finance, entertainment, environmental law, financial restructuring, financial services litigation, insurance, intellectual property, investment management, litigation, personal client services, private equity, private funds, real estate, structured finance, and tax.

General Duties and Responsibilities:

· Handle incoming and outgoing calls in a professional manner. Take accurate and complete messages.

· Create, edit (including CompareRite), spell-check, print and proofread documents using basic and advanced software functions.

· Input attorney time on a daily basis and correct and edit information as required.

· Prepare and arrange for transmittal of correspondence, legal documents etc., via fax, regular mail service, e-mail, as well as hand-delivery, Federal Express and other messenger service. Follow up to assure timely and accurate delivery.

· Perform or arrange for duplication and/or binding of documents as required.

· Maintain client files in an orderly fashion and in compliance with Firm procedures.

· Provide records of client disbursement charges including client/matter names and numbers for all word processing overtime, duplicating, messenger, luncheon fees, etc. and other expenses deemed to be chargeable to a client.

· Collaborate with the billing department to ensure accurate client invoicing and distribution of the client bills. Manage the process for the attorney as requested.

· Reserve conference rooms; arrange for food service for client meetings; greet clients.

· Open up new client/matter numbers, run conflict checks and assist with engagement letters as required. Ability to manage the process to completion timely and accurately.

· Perform various other duties as required such as relieving the receptionist during lunch hour on a scheduled basis.

Litigation Duties and Responsibilities:

· Draft and review legal correspondence including thoroughly proofreading for errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and formatting with an understanding of legal terminology.

· Prepare and collect conflict of interest checks, open new files and maintain client files.

· Maintain attorneys’ calendars with hearing dates, filing deadlines, and other dates of importance with knowledge of court rules, court deadlines, discovery and trial preparation, calendaring and filing procedures.

· Professional demeanor with all firm’s clients, attorneys, staff and vendors. Including responding to messages and requests in a timely manner and performing job duties with enthusiasm and a genuine interest to be of service.

· Familiar with state and US Federal Court Case Management/ Electronic Case File (CM/ECF)/PACER system , including submission of electronic filings.

· Ability to organize and prioritize numerous tasks and complete them under time constraints with minimal supervision.

· Proficient in software programs such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, or other similar software programs necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

· Prepare and work with briefs, motions and pleadings.

· Secretarial school degree or at least one year secretarial experience, preferably within a law firm or legal environment.

· Organization skills, detailed orientated and ability to juggle several tasks simultaneously.

· Must demonstrate typing speed of at least 60 wpm, fluency with Microsoft Word, and basic knowledge of Excel.

· Strong communication skills, with professional phone demeanor, including well-versed written and verbal abilities.

· Stenography and Dictaphone skills are a plus.

· Excellent interpersonal, with the ability to work effectively under pressure.

· Team-player with a positive, helpful attitude

· Demonstrate the ability to maintain confidential information and exercise good judgment;

· Self-starter, who can follow-up and follow-through on a multitude of tasks.

· The position also requires flexibility to work overtime hours.