Legal Secretary - Litigation - Sidley Austin LLP

Summary

Provides litigation and intellectual property lawyers and other legal personnel with executive-level administrative and secretarial assistance and support; ability to proactively manage all aspects of high-level professionals in a fast paced environment; coordinates and maintains effective office procedures and efficient work flow; follows policies and procedures set by the Firm; establishes and maintains harmonious working relationships with top level management, supervisors, co workers, and clients by performing the following:

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists in preparing for hearings, trials, mediations, arbitrations, and provides on and offsite support during trials and arbitrations as needed
• Manages U.S. & Foreign travel arrangements by securing and finalizing air, hotel, rail and car reservations and ensuring accuracy in scheduling all aspects of travel. Prepares and tracks travel expense reports and other business related expenses using the electronic Accounting system and prepares detailed itineraries.
• Manages and tracks reimbursements of other firm and client related expenses, such as telephone calls, entertainment, recruiting, etc. using the electronic Accounting system.
• Maintains electronic calendar of meetings and appointments, and proactively advises lawyers of responsibilities in advance of commitment. Coordinates luncheons and schedules conference rooms for meetings using the electronic room scheduler.Reads, responds and highlights emails of importance and keeps lawyers apprised of pressing matters. Develops and maintains email filing system and ensures proper archiving of same. Monitors spam folder for work related emails.
• Inputs and maintains contacts in Outlook for assigned lawyers, pursuant to lawyer's preference. Maintains list of principal contacts or working group lists for each client and matter.
• Receives, screens and transmits telephone calls to lawyers and takes messages as necessary, with recognition of and attention to the particular needs of clients. Schedules conference calls for lawyers and effectively manages conflicting appointments.  Conveys all necessary information needed for conference calls.
• Creates, maintains and updates all client litigation files in accordance with standards set by the Records Management Center using the electronic Records Management database and maintains other files as needed.
• Facilitates work with the Accounting Department to coordinate and manage tracking of client bills, analyze billing data, and respond to client inquiries/requests. Processes, tracks and apprises status of new business forms, new client/matter reports and conflict of interest checks.
• Drafts, inputs and tracks daily time entries for lawyers in electronic Time Billing System, and proofreads and edits time entries for accuracy.
• Proofreads and revise all documents, including engagement letters, PowerPoint presentations, memoranda, audit letters, client deliverables, and other correspondence, etc., for accuracy of copy, grammar, punctuation and syntax, and drafts correspondence.
• Manage lawyers’ CLEs to ensure hours are accurate and reported appropriately
• Performs other job-related duties such as compiling notebooks and exhibits, and preparing documents in connection with bar association activities. Also performs other administrative tasks as needed.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the Duties and Responsibilities (Duties) above satisfactorily and meet the requirements below.  The requirements listed below are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.  If you need such an accommodation, please email staffrecruiting@sidley.com (current employees should contact Human Resources). 

Education and/or Experience:

Required:

• Minimum 3 years of related work experience
• Proficiency in MS Office applications
• A self-starter and forward thinker who takes strong initiative and shows ownership and commitment

Preferred:

• Law Firm Experience
• Bachelor’s degree
• Ability to type 50-60 wpm

Other Skills and Abilities:

In addition to the above, the following may also be required of the successful candidate:

• The use of good judgment and strong interpersonal communication skills
• Well developed analytical and problem solving skills
• The ability to execute multiple projects effectively and efficiently
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Works harmoniously and effectively with others as part of a team
• Exercises confidentiality and discretion
• Possesses impeccable grammar skills and proofreads accurately

Sidley Austin LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer