Legal Secretary

Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell was established in 1998 and currently numbers more than 100 lawyers. The firm represents sophisticated clients in high-stakes civil trials, appeals, and related litigation ranging from complex commercial to class actions to multidistrict litigations. Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell lawyers have taken more than 1,300 trials, arbitrations, and appeals to verdict, award, or opinion in 45 states and Washington D.C., with exceptional results for our clients.

About the role

This position supports the Firm’s timekeepers by completing essential duties, responsibilities, and projects as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Provide support to billable staff including lawyers and paralegals
• Handle documents including drafting and proofreading, with strong attention to detail
• Properly finalize and file court pleadings across different e-filing platforms at both State and Federal levels
• Locate and download court documents from State and Federal jurisdictions as requested, ensuring they are saved to the electronic file utilizing specific naming conventions
• Communicate effectively and professionally, including email correspondence, with clients, experts, vendors, and internally
• Process expert and vendor invoices accurately and timely to ensure prompt payment
• Prepare and submit conflict checks, new business memoranda, and engagement agreements as requested
• Monitor and maintain billable staff calendars, and assist with scheduling as needed
• Perform photocopying, notebook preparation, and/or scanning as needed, with an understanding of duties pertaining to trial preparation
• Prepare, edit, proofread, and finalize timekeeping entries for team members, and review and proofread billing correspondence, ensuring compliance with billing guidelines and budgets as applicable
• Prepare and submit expense requests; may assist with travel or other related items
• Other special duties or projects may be requested depending on billable staff needs
• Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends during trial preparation or similar situations (advance notice provided; overtime compensation after 40 hours)

Requirements

• 5+ years of active litigation experience in a law firm
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, as well as Adobe (PDF)
• Excellent communication skills, especially with clients
• Knowledge of legal proceedings and pleadings, as well as legal terms and process of cases
• Ability to e-file pleadings and documents with the Court
• Proficiency in proper grammar, including strong proofreading skills
• Typing speed of at least 65 wpm
• College degree preferred but not required
• Working knowledge of law firm practices, including opening new matters, case management, document management (utilizing specific naming conventions), and proofreading utilizing track changes (redlining)
• Working experience with e-filing in state and federal platforms, with knowledge of navigating case dockets, court files, and pleadings/documents for state courts and through PACER
• Ability to problem solve and think critically with self-direction and minimal supervision
• Proactive and a self-starter with exceptional attention to detail
• Personable and client-focused
• Well-versed in civil litigation matters and procedures, including strong familiarity with relevant pleadings
• Recognition of parties and roles within civil litigation cases to understand distributions (internally and externally) and other case-specific tasks
• Accurately and efficiently manage travel arrangements and related tasks

Schedule

This is a full-time, 37.5-hour per week position. Typical hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., including a lunch hour. Hours may vary slightly depending on attorney needs. This is a non-exempt position, entitled to overtime pay at 1.5 times the hourly pay rate when working more than 40 hours in a Sunday through Saturday work week.

Pay

Salary range: $75,000–90,000 annually. The final salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• 401(k) contribution
• Paid time off
• Annual bonus potential based on firm performance