Legal Support Specialist (Litigation)

Responsibilities

• Provide executive‑level administrative and secretarial assistance to lawyers and other legal personnel in a fast‑paced environment.
• Manage U.S. and foreign travel arrangements, securing and finalizing air, hotel, rail, and car reservations; prepare detailed itineraries and track travel expense reports using the electronic accounting system.
• Track reimbursements for firm and client‑related expenses (e.g., entertainment, recruiting) via the electronic accounting system.
• Maintain electronic calendars of meetings and appointments; proactively advise lawyers of upcoming responsibilities.
• Coordinate luncheons and schedule conference rooms using the electronic room scheduler.
• Read, respond to, and highlight important emails; develop and maintain an email filing system and monitor spam folders.
• Input and maintain contacts in Outlook per lawyer preferences; maintain principal contact lists for each client and matter.
• Receive, screen, and transmit telephone calls to lawyers, taking messages with attention to client needs.
• Schedule conference calls, manage conflicting appointments, and assist with conference/video calls as requested.
• Create, maintain, and update client litigation files daily in accordance with Records Management Center standards, using the electronic Records Management database; ensure thorough knowledge of indexing litigation files.
• Maintain current correspondence files and facilitate work with the Accounting Department to track client bills, analyze billing data, and respond to client inquiries.
• Process, track, and report status of new business forms, new client/matter reports, and conflict‑of‑interest checks.
• Draft, input, and track daily time entries in the electronic Time Billing System; proofread and edit time entries for accuracy.
• Proofread and revise all documents (engagement letters, PowerPoint presentations, memoranda, audit letters, client deliverables, etc.) for copy, grammar, punctuation, and syntax; draft correspondence as needed.
• Coordinate and quality‑check work performed by Support Services to ensure prompt production and delivery of documents.
• Proactively arrange meals for lawyers, including ordering and facilitating delivery logistics.
• Manage lawyers’ Continuing Legal Education (CLE) hours to ensure accurate reporting.
• Perform additional duties such as compiling notebooks and exhibits, preparing documents for bar association activities, and other administrative tasks as required.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED; three or more years of related work experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Thorough working knowledge of Microsoft Word and legal terminology and formats.
• Preferred law‑firm experience.
• Bachelor’s degree (preferred).
• Ability to type 50–60 words per minute.

Skills and Abilities

• Good judgment and strong interpersonal communication skills.
• Well‑developed analytical and problem‑solving abilities.
• Capacity to execute multiple projects effectively and efficiently.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work harmoniously as part of a team.
• Commitment to confidentiality and discretion.
• Impeccable grammar skills with accurate proofreading.

Pay

The target salary range for this role is $68,600 – $87,500 for Texas locations. Salaries vary by location and are based on market factors, skills, experience, and education. The compensation package includes bonus eligibility.

Benefits

A comprehensive benefits program is offered. Details can be found at Sidley.com/Benefits.