Executive Assistant

Reed Smith LLP.; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 61,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) Retirement Plan

Medical Insurance

Health Savings Account

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Reed Smith LLP is seeking an experienced executive assistant to provide high-level, confidential administrative support to a lead attorney and the practice team. You will manage calendars, deadlines, and travel, coordinating across time zones and multiple schedules.

The role requires strong organizational skills, discretion, and the ability to liaise with clients and internal teams. Proficiency with Office apps and legal research tools is essential for success.

Qualifications

• Specialized legal support experience is required.
• Excellent calendar management with attention to deadlines across time zones.
• Ability to liaise with clients and internal teams to schedule meetings and travel.
• Proficient in legal research tools and standard office software.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-level, confidential administrative support to the attorney and team.
• Manage calendars, deadlines, and event invitations with cross-time-zone coordination.
• Coordinate travel, expenses, and liaison with IT, Travel, and Office Services.
• Prepare agendas, minutes, and background materials for meetings and due diligence.

Skills

Legal support

Calendar management

Client liaison

Travel planning

Education

Two years college

Tools

Outlook

Zoom

MS Teams

Westlaw

Job description

This executive assistant role is responsible for providing high-level, executive and confidential administrative support. This role will deliver value in the following ways: central support resource for the leader and the practice team; an integrator connecting work streams that would otherwise remain siloed; a communicator linking the practice team, clients and the broader organization.

Job duties and responsibilities

• Specialized legal support leading to exceptional client service.
• Calendar management and scheduling with meticulous attention to detail, including proactively identifying and monitoring matter-related deadlines, and organizing and creating invitations for internal and external events to include all pertinent details (zoom links, locations, contact information), often across time zones and multiple busy calendars.
• Liaise with internal and external clients and support services (e.g. IT, Travel, and Office Services as well as external vendors) on behalf of the attorney and the practice team as it pertains to scheduling of meetings, events and travel.
• Leveraging the Firm's Travel Department while overseeing all aspects of travel planning, logistics, details and execution, to attorney's preferences, aiming to be efficient with the attorney's time during business trips, and keeping client-related components of business trips at the forefront.
• Track all follow-up requests (meetings, materials, deliverables).
• Approach all client interactions, either in writing, by telephone or in person, with professionalism, discretion, and diplomacy, as a representative of the attorney, the practice team and the Firm.
• Prepare and/or disseminate schedules, notifications, agendas, minutes, and meeting materials. Proactively prepare or coordinate preparation of background materials and due diligence for meetings to ensure attorney is prepared for meetings, events and interactions.
• Prepare/draft legal documents as required, including exhibits for trial or closings, trial/closing binders, correspondence, notices, pleadings, and memoranda.
• Build and maintain an effective working relationship with personnel at all levels. Effectively manage communications with high-level internal and external constituents.
• Process Matter Opening Forms promptly, ensuring timely follow up and assignment and communication of matter numbers. Maintain an ongoing status list of MOFs and new matters opened.
• Contribute to success of the attorney's financial and client growth goals.
• Independently prioritize, research, and follow up on multiple incoming issues and concerns addressed to the attorney, including those of sensitive and/or confidential nature; recommend appropriate course of action, referral, and/or response.
• Maintain Outlook contacts lists, promptly adding new contacts upon introduction to the attorney and keeping up-to-date as contact information changes.
• Work in conjunction with Firm's Business Center to ensure prompt processing of all expenses.
• Process timesheets daily, drafting entries and following up as appropriate.
• Onsite responsibilities may include meeting clients in a professional manner; use of standard office equipment, including copiers and scanners; maintaining physical files; reviewing jobs for quality assurance; and providng support to attorneys outside of team assignments
• Provide support outside of standard working hours, including during evenings and weekends as needed.
• Additional duties as assigned.
• Corporate Tasks as required
• Westlaw/Research: Perform internet research. Request UCC lien/litigation/bankruptcy searches from various entities (both state and county). Request certified copies of formation documents from various entities (both state and county); File formation documents with various entities (both state and county)
• Maintain paper and electronic filings. Maintain paper files for certain Estate Accounts (i.e., for purposes of tax filings); Retrieve documents from files as needed.
• Maintain Client Minute Books.
• Litigation Tasks as required
• E-Filings: Federal, State and appellate court filings. Scheduling remote court appearances
• Schedules messengers and other vendors for pick-up of documents for errands such as filings with court, delivery of documents to counsel and other types of errands.
• Depositions: Schedule court reporter for hearing and/or depositions, download transcript, and/or send to client for review.

Job duties and responsibilities included are not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary. Reed Smith reserves the right to revise or modify job duties and responsibilities at any time.

Education

Two years of college or equivalent experience required. College degree or equivalent experience is preferred.

Experience

Five plus years experience in a high-level administrative support position. Experience in a law firm or other professional services firm preferred.

Skills

Expert organizational skills; top-notch time management skills; streamlined and polished communication style; problem-solving orientation; ownership of the role and the responsibilities; meticulous attention to detail; ability to remain calm and poised in times of high stress.

Additionally: Mastery of Microsoft Office suite, including ability to create PowerPoint presentations, Excel spreadsheets, and Word documents. Advanced Outlook skills including the calendaring and task functions. Facility with Zoom and MS Teams. Ability to handle confidential and sensitive matters professionally and with discretion. Ability to resolve issues quickly, effectively, and diplomatically and to make appropriate recommendations. Good decision maker, strategic thinker and proven ability to manage time, people and resources in order to meet deadlines. Demonstrated ability to take initiative, manage projects and handle multiple competing priorities. Flexibility and ability to adapt to constantly changing priorities. Ability to deal with stress associated with a fast paced work environment, including handling the demands of multiple tasks on a daily basis. Ability to work well as a member of a team and make judgment decisions and handle daily responsibilities with little or no supervision.

Project management skills/training, a plus.

Additional information

Supervisory responsibilities

None

Equipment used

Personal computer and other office equipment such as telephone, calculator, copier, scanner, etc.

Ability to sit or stand for extended periods and perform tasks requiring prolonged and/or extensive computer use.

Ability to use computers, telecommunications, and digital collaboration tools to perform core job responsibilities.

Ability to communicate effectively.

Ability to maintain attention to detail while analyzing complex information, managing multiple priorities, and applying sound judgment to decisions.

Ability to access, use, and safeguard confidential and sensitive information while performing job responsibilities in work environments that support confidentiality, privacy, and information security requirements.

Ability to work extended hours as required to meet project, client, or business needs.

Ability to work a minimum of 4 days in the office (and up to 5 days if required) as a member of the EA team that is required to provide coverage in the office 5 days a week.

Works in a typical office setting and/or remotely. You will be required to work in the office at minimum 4 days per week. Occasionally called upon to work hours in excess of your normal daily schedule. The details of your weekly schedule will be discussed further with your direct supervisor.

Pay ranges

This is a non-exempt position. The hourly wage ranges below are based on a 37.5 hour workweek, with estimated annual compensation ranges included for reference. Actual pay may vary based on various factors, including but not limited to location and experience.

Houston: 37.5 hours = $31.44/hr - $38.46/hr (estimated : $61,300-$75,000)

Employee benefits overview

Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Medical Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Virtual Health Services
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Accident Insurance
• Hospital Indemnity Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Short-Term Disability Coverage
• Long-Term Disability Coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Lyra Health Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid Family Leave (for eligible Exempt and Non-Exempt staff)
• Transportation Benefit
• Back-up Child Care Services
• College Coach Program
• Pet Insurance
• Paid Sick Time (for Exempt staff)
• Paid Time Off (available to all full-time, non-temporary employees)

Reed Smith offers a challenging work environment, business casual dress code and a total compensation package that includes a competitive salary, flexible benefits program, tuition assistance, and generous 401(k) plan.

Reed Smith is an Equal Opportunity Employer with Core Values of Integrity, Excellence, Teamwork & Respect, Innovation, and Impact. Reed Smith also provides reasonable accommodations in accordance with law, including in the application and interview process.

Qualified candidates only. No search firms.