Legal Assistant & Front Desk Coordinator

Arnold-; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Top-of-Market Pay

Discretionary Bonuses

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

HSA, FSA

Job summary

Arnold & Itkin LLP in Baton Rouge seeks an experienced Legal Assistant & Front Desk Coordinator to support trial attorneys on high-stakes litigation nationwide.

You will staff the front desk, manage calendars, handle e-filing and trial prep, coordinate travel, and prepare documents while maintaining confidentiality and professionalism in a fast-paced environment. This is a full-time role based in Baton Rouge with competitive compensation.

Qualifications

• 4+ years as a litigation secretary (required).
• Proficiency in E-Filing or docketing deadlines.
• Advanced MS Word formatting; typing speed 55+ wpm.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel as needed.
• Discretion with confidential information and professional conduct.

Responsibilities

• Staff the front desk: answer calls, greet guests, manage conference rooms, maintain office appearance.
• Assist assigned attorneys and teams to meet firm and client needs.
• Manage calendars, coordinate travel, meetings, and events.
• Perform e-filing and docket deadlines; assist trial preparation.
• Prepare and revise documents; ensure formatting and proofreading accuracy.
• Schedule depositions, hearing notebooks, and trial materials; process expenses.
• Support other Legal Secretaries; maintain organized workload to meet goals.
• Uphold firm policies on attendance, dress code, security, and confidentiality.

Skills

Legal secretary experience

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Willingness to travel

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Word

Calendar/Docketing

Job description

If you are driven to work on life-changing, industry-defining cases; committed to seeking justice for real people; and motivated to deliver results for your clients—no matter what—Arnold & Itkin LLP (“AI”) offers an exceptional opportunity.

We are currently seeking an experienced, motivated Legal Assistant & Front Desk Coordinator to join our Baton Rouge office, supporting trial attorneys in high-stakes litigation nationwide. AI is one of the premier trial firms in the United States, with offices in Houston, Dallas, Midland, San Antonio, Albuquerque, and Baton Rouge. The firm has secured billions of dollars in recoveries for its clients and has achieved record-setting verdicts and settlements across nearly every state.

Noteworthy results include:

• $8 billion punitive damages verdict for single products liability plaintiff;
• $557 million verdict for woman hit by a train;
• $222 million verdict for widow of man killed in industrial accident;
• $205 million settlement for multiple clients on the eve of trial;
• $171 million settlement for numerous industrial workers;
• $117 million verdict for pregnant woman in tragic car accident;
• $110 million settlement for individuals harmed by dangerous products;
• $87 million settlement for man who was severely burned while working in an industrial job;
• $76.6 million verdict against Johnson & Johnson for failing to warn about side effects of an anti-psychotic drug;
• $72 million settlement for man injured in oil field accident;
• $44 million verdict for man who lost his leg in a crane collapse;
• $41 million verdict in commercial dispute—the largest commercial verdict in the state of Hawaii;
• $39.7 million verdict for man injured in a workplace fire.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• On a day-to-day basis, staff the front desk by answering calls, greeting guests and vendors, maintaining conference rooms, ensuring overall office appearance, and assisting with legal work.
• Works primarily under the direction of an assigned group of attorneys and/or team members to effectively and efficiently meet Firm and client needs.
• Assist in managing busy and frequently changing calendars, including coordinating travel arrangements, meetings, and events.
• Perform e-filing in state and federal courts, docket deadlines, and assist with trial preparation.
• Prepare and revise a wide variety of documents, including correspondence, memoranda, and legal materials; responsible for proofreading and ensuring proper formatting of all materials.
• Schedule depositions, prepare hearing notebooks, and assist in trial preparation as needed. Process expense reports and manage incoming and outgoing communications, including screening telephone calls. Coordinate conference calls and travel arrangements.
• Provide assistance to other Legal Secretaries within assigned teams as needed to meet Firm and client demands. Organize and prioritize workload to support team efficiency and achieve Firm and client goals.
• Demonstrate professionalism by adhering to all Firm policies, including attendance, dress code, security protocols, and confidentiality requirements.

BENEFITS AND PERKS:

• Top-of-Market Pay
• Discretionary Bonuses
• Based on firm profitability, tenure, and performance
• Historically generous compared to peer firms
• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• AI covers 100% of employee-only medical premium
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Employee contributions from day one
• After 1 year: Firm contributes 3% of gross pay per paycheck (not subject to vesting)
• Additional Benefits:
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Health Savings Account (HSA), if eligible
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• 11 days paid holiday with additional Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Short-Term Disability (100% employer-paid)
• Voluntary Long-Term Disability
• Basic Life & AD&D ($50K provided by firm)
• Accident & Critical Illness coverage
• LifeMart Discounts
• Discounted gym memberships via Well on Target
• Employee & Client Referral Bonuses
• Professional Development Opportunities

REQUIREMENTS:

• Comprehensive knowledge of plaintiff personal injury litigation, including court practices, procedures, and deadlines in both state and federal courts.
• Proficiency in e-filing, docketing deadlines, trial preparation, and calendaring deadlines.
• Ability to handle confidential information with the highest level of discretion.
• Strong work ethic with a proactive approach, sound judgment, attention to detail, flexibility, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, demanding legal environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively as part of a team.
• Willingness to work extended hours, including evenings and weekends, and to travel as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of 4+ years as a litigation legal secretary. (required)
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Proficiency in E-Filing
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, including document formatting, minimum typing speed of 55+ words per minute.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel as needed.

POSITION TYPE:

• This is a full-time position based in Baton Rouge.
• Competitive compensation based on experience and qualifications.