Legal Secretary (Litigation & Trademark)

Summary

The legal secretary position at Withers Bergman is responsible for increasing attorney effectiveness by providing administrative support, information and information management and representing the attorney to clients and others. 

Scope of Responsibility

This position will work within the Business and Litigation groups to support one trust, estate and inheritance disputes partner, an intellectual property and technology partner, a litigation associate and an intellectual property and technology paralegal.  The position will also provide ad hoc support to other attorneys and general office administration.  The job encounters recurring and new varied work situations of moderate degree of complexity and includes frequent contact with others inside and outside of the firm including immediate partners, associates, and supervisors, members of other departments or other offices, clients and other professionals.

Primary Functions

• Produces information by transcribing, formatting, inputting, editing, retrieving, copying, and transmitting text, data, and graphics, coordinating case preparation.
• Transmits information to courts and third parties by electronic filing, preparing submission in accordance with governing rules, creating proofs of service, drafting correspondence, completing courtesy copies, and strict adherence to deadlines.
• Conserves attorneys’ time by reading, researching, reviewing, verifying, and routing correspondence, reports and legal documents; drafting letters and documents; collecting and analyzing information; initiating telecommunications; organizing client conferences, and attorney meetings; scheduling couriers, and other special functions; coordinating preparation of charts, graphs, and other visuals; preparing expense reports.  Circulates information and documents in a times sensitive manner.
• Maintains attorneys' calendars by planning and scheduling conferences, teleconferences, dispositions, and travel; anticipating changes in transaction preparation requirements.
• Provides historical reference by developing and utilizing filing and retrieval systems.
• Maintains hard copy and electronic filing system (FileSite/iManage).
• Schedules meetings with internal and external participants and arranges conference rooms.
• Represents attorneys by communicating and obtaining information; following-up on delegated assignments; knowing when to act and when to refer matters to attorney.
• Generates revenues by documenting and inputting attorney billable time, time spent on firm related matters and reimbursable expenses; preparing invoices; tracking payments.
• Prepare Chrome River reimbursement and credit card expenditure reports to accounting for assigned fee earners.
• Coordinates monthly billing process between accounting and assigned partner for narrative edits, time movement and draft bill processing.
• Provides information to workflow during client intake, including matter details and Engagement Letter preparation.
• Maintains client confidence by keeping client/attorney information confidential.
• Assists with providing ad hoc cover on reception when requested by the Office Manager.
• Operates office equipment such as photocopy machine and scanner to produce copies and scanning when needed.
• Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.
• Prepares client reporting letters, including reporting letters for patent, trademark and copyright matters.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned and assist attorneys when needed.

Specific Skills Required

1. Must possess strong technical skills, such as typing, and have a good working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint as well as programs such as FileSite/iManage and Elite.
2. Solid command of the English language including excellent spelling, grammar, punctuation, form and style.  Ability to compose correspondence needed.
3. Strong communication skills: the ability to express self effectively, both orally and in writing.
4. Interpersonal skills: the ability to establish effective working relationships with colleagues
5. Knowledge of library operations and records storage procedures for retrieving materials and files.
6. Previous experience in preparing pleadings, briefs, declarations, exhibits and other litigation documents, as well as electronic filing documents with Federal and California courts.
7. Previous experience with document management systems and electronic organizational filing methods preferred.
8. Familiarity with legal terminology pertinent to the areas of assignment.
9. Ability to prioritize and multitask effectively.
10. Ability to work both as a team as well as independently.
11. Previous experience with intellectual property matters, including patent and trademark matters, is a plus.

Experience Required:

• 3+ years as a secretary or administrative professional, with a strong preference for law firm experience, is required. 
• 2+ years of legal industry experience, preferably within a midsized or large law firm’s litigation practice group.  Experience with wealth planning or private client groups is also welcomed.
• Previous experience supporting at least one partner/high level manager in a legal or professional services environment.
• CA Notary highly desired.

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree strongly preferred.

About Withersworldwide

Withersworldwide has been acting for successful individuals, families and institutions for 125 years.  We advise clients on the full range of their business, personal and philanthropic legal needs, both at home and abroad. With offices in the key financial centres of Europe, Asia-Pacific, the United States and the Caribbean, we provide coverage and services that other law firms focussed on the needs of the individual cannot.  We have represented 66% of the Top 100 in The Sunday Times Rich List, 25% of the Forbes 400 List, 35% of the Hong Kong Forbes Rich List and 35% of Forbes Asia's Richest Families list.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The firm is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.  Equal employment opportunity has been and will continue to be a fundamental principle at the firm. Employment at the firm is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.  The firm prohibits and will not tolerate any discrimination or harassment on the basis of any of these classifications or characteristics.

If you are interested in applying for employment and need special assistance or an accommodation to use our website to apply for a position, please contact the firm at 203 789 1320 or email us.recruiting@withersworldwide.com with your request.  Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation are made on a case-by-case basis.

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