Litigation Legal Secretary Job at Eversheds Sutherland in Washington

We have an exciting opportunity for a Legal Secretary to support attorneys in the Litigation group in the Washington, DC office at Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP. We are searching for someone who wants to be a valued contributor and member of a talented and dynamic team of lawyers, paralegals and business professionals.

The Legal Secretary is responsible to the individual attorney(s) and/or paralegal(s) to whom assigned for specific, day-to-day responsibilities and duties and to the Human Resources Manager for Firm policies and procedures, Practice Group assistance, overflow work, and overtime work. 

The Legal Secretary should have previous work experience including basic secretarial skills, word processing, general office procedures and filing techniques, along with the ability to concentrate on details, organize work, and work with a wide spectrum of individuals.  The Legal Secretary must be able to handle diverse practices, be a team player, and be a liaison between the client and the attorney.  The ability to communicate accurately and professionally with the clients is a must.  In addition, it is essential that the Legal Secretary have strong proofreading skills, organizational skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Drafts, edits, and files client documents and related correspondence per attorney(s) revisions, etc.
• Handles all e-filing in district and state court systems.
• Coordinates and assists with trial preparation including depositions, discovery, trial binders and working with vendors (service of process, court reporters).
• Handles time entry for assigned attorney(s) and paralegal(s).
• Prepares Client/Matter Information Memorandum (“CIM”) conflicts check emails as well as CIM forms to be submitted to the Records.
• Maintains files on a regular basis as required by attorney(s), Practice Group, and Firm procedures.
• Coordinates project management of attorney matters and cases.
• Maintains and updates attorney(s) calendar and contacts.
• Coordinates travel arrangements and prepare travel reimbursement requests and all other reimbursement requests in a timely manner and in accordance with Practice Group procedures and accounting deadlines.
• Coordinates client and in-house meetings and assist as necessary.
• Retrieves, opens and files mail (and date stamp, if required).
• Answers and handles incoming phone calls in a professional manner.
• Maintains confidentiality of all client and Firm matters, recognizing that there should be no discussion in or away from the office regarding client or Firm matters. This confidentiality extends to emails you are privy to that are in your attorney(s) and/or paralegal(s) Outlook mailboxes and folders.
• Assists fellow workers and/or other attorneys as needed and requested. The office functions as a team, and therefore it is essential that the Legal Secretary help when asked and volunteer when time permits.
• Notifies and assists HR with overflow work when not busy with work from assigned attorney(s) and paralegal(s), including providing overflow desk coverage for secretaries who are absent.
• Keeps abreast of what is happening on assigned attorney’s clients’ matters and knows location of material concerning those matters.
• Obtains research materials from the library as required by attorney(s) or paralegal(s).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• A Bachelor’s degree is preferred from an accredited college or university.
• Five to seven years of experience working in a legal department with in a similarly sized, multi-office professional services organization. Litigation experience is required.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills are required. Proven analytical and problem-solving skills.  Detail-oriented, organized and have the ability to multi-task and prioritize workloads.  Ability to present ideas in a business-friendly and user-friendly language.
• Excellent computer skills and knowledge of MS Office Suite is required. Experience with Aderant and ChromeRiver software programs, is highly preferred.

This is a hybrid role and will require on-site presence 3 days per week. Salary is commensurate with years of relevant experience & geographic location. The range for this position is $64,500 - $75,900.

Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within our Firm and in the larger legal profession. We believe that diverse skills, knowledge and viewpoints make us a stronger firm. Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP maintains a policy of affording all employees and applicants equal employment opportunities without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity or expression or transgender status), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital or familial status, domestic violence victim status, ancestry, amnesty, citizenship status, ethnicity, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Unlawful discrimination, harassment and retaliation will not be tolerated in any of the Firm’s offices or any other work-related setting. Qualified individuals with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation in order to apply for a position or to enable them to perform the essential functions of a position for which they are otherwise qualified. EEO.