Legal Assistant / Secretary

Career Legal; New Haven (CT); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

PTO & holidays

Discretionary bonus

Brand-new office

Job summary

Career Legal partners with a prestigious international law firm to recruit a highly organized Legal Assistant for Private Client, Tax and Estate Planning work in a brand-new office. The role is hybrid, with 4 days onsite, offering long-term career development and exposure to high-profile matters.

The successful candidate will support a Partner, handle calendars and travel, prepare legal documents and onboarding procedures, and contribute to a collaborative, professional team in a fast-paced

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Legal Secretary, Legal Assistant or Executive Assistant within a law firm or professional services environment.
• Experience supporting a Partner or senior fee earner within a Private Client, Tax, Trusts, Estate Planning or Wealth Management team is highly desirable.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience using legal practice management, document management and billing systems.
• Experience preparing Private Client documentation would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Provide proactive, high-level administrative support to the Private Client Partner and wider team.
• Manage a busy and ever-changing diary, scheduling meetings, calls and appointments.
• Coordinate domestic and international travel arrangements, including itineraries, accommodation and expenses.
• Prepare, format, proofread and amend legal documents, correspondence, presentations and reports.
• Draft and prepare client communications and legal documentation relating to Private Client matters.
• Assist with opening new matters and client onboarding procedures.
• Organise and maintain electronic and hard-copy filing systems in accordance with firm procedures.
• Act as a key point of contact for clients and third parties, ensuring a professional and confidential service at all times.
• Liaise with internal departments and external contacts to facilitate the smooth running of the Partner’s practice.
• Assist with the preparation of wills, trusts, powers of attorney, probate and estate administration documentation.
• Prepare engagement letters, client care documentation and related correspondence.
• Coordinate document execution and signature processes.
• Maintain accurate records and assist with matter management throughout the lifecycle of a case.
• Support the preparation of presentations, client materials and business development initiatives.
• Assist with document production, printing, scanning, bundling and distribution as required.
• Support colleagues and visiting lawyers as required.
• Coordinate meetings, conference room bookings and catering arrangements.
• Assist with incoming and outgoing post and other office administration duties.
• Build strong working relationships across legal and business support teams.
• Contribute positively to the firm’s collaborative culture.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Tools

Microsoft Word

Job description

Legal Assistant / Secretary – Private Client | $70,000 - $90,000

Career Legal is proud to be the sole recruitment partner acting on behalf of a prestigious international law firm in its search for exceptional talent.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a highly regarded global firm, offering long-term career development, exposure to high-profile work, and the chance to be part of a brand-new office.

Key Highlights

• Hybrid working – 4 days onsite
• 15 days PTO, plus 10 sick days and 10 public holidays
• Salary: $70,000–$90,000, negotiable depending on experience and industry knowledge
• Discretionary bonus of approximately 7.5%
• Exciting opportunity to join a brand-new office

Who We Are

We are an international law firm with a focus on private capital at the intersection of personal, family and business. Our ability to understand people makes us who we are. We work together to build deep and trusted relationships that deliver meaningful value to our clients. We do this with empathy, attention and clarity. No jargon, no attitude. We know what matters.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced and highly organised Legal Assistant to provide dedicated support to a Partner specialising in Private Client matters, with a particular focus on Tax and Estate Planning. This is a key role within the team and requires a professional, proactive and resilient individual who is confident supporting a busy and highly driven Partner. The successful candidate will be able to build a strong working relationship, anticipate needs, manage competing priorities and provide exceptional administrative and legal support in a fast-paced environment. This is an excellent opportunity to join a highly regarded law firm and become an integral part of a collaborative and professional team.

Key Responsibilities

Partner & Practice Support

• Provide proactive, high-level administrative support to the Private Client Partner and wider team.
• Manage a busy and ever-changing diary, scheduling meetings, calls and appointments.
• Coordinate domestic and international travel arrangements, including itineraries, accommodation and expenses.
• Prepare, format, proofread and amend legal documents, correspondence, presentations and reports.
• Draft and prepare client communications and legal documentation relating to Private Client matters.
• Assist with opening new matters and client onboarding procedures.
• Organise and maintain electronic and hard-copy filing systems in accordance with firm procedures.
• Act as a key point of contact for clients and third parties, ensuring a professional and confidential service at all times.
• Liaise with internal departments and external contacts to facilitate the smooth running of the Partner’s practice.

Private Client Support

• Assist with the preparation of wills, trusts, powers of attorney, probate and estate administration documentation.
• Prepare engagement letters, client care documentation and related correspondence.
• Coordinate document execution and signature processes.
• Maintain accurate records and assist with matter management throughout the lifecycle of a case.
• Support the preparation of presentations, client materials and business development initiatives.
• Assist with document production, printing, scanning, bundling and distribution as required.

Team & Office Support

• Support colleagues and visiting lawyers as required.
• Coordinate meetings, conference room bookings and catering arrangements.
• Assist with incoming and outgoing post and other office administration duties.
• Build strong working relationships across legal and business support teams.
• Contribute positively to the firm’s collaborative culture.

Skills & Experience

• Previous experience as a Legal Secretary, Legal Assistant or Executive Assistant within a law firm or professional services environment.
• Experience supporting a Partner or senior fee earner within a Private Client, Tax, Trusts, Estate Planning or Wealth Management team is highly desirable.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience using legal practice management, document management and billing systems.
• Experience preparing Private Client documentation would be advantageous.

About You

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines.
• Exceptional attention to detail and proofreading ability.
• Confident working with senior stakeholders and adapting to different working styles.
• Resilient, professional and capable of operating effectively in a demanding, fast-paced environment.
• Proactive, with the ability to anticipate requirements and take initiative.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build effective working relationships.
• Professional, discreet and trustworthy when handling confidential and sensitive information.
• Client-focused, with a commitment to delivering an exceptional standard of service.