Legal Secretary

Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella, P.C. in Chicago seeks a legal secretary with 2+ years of experience to type, proofread and format legal documents and manage court filings under deadlines.

The role requires MS Office proficiency, fast typing, and strong organizational skills. Heavy calendar management, docketing, and client communication are key responsibilities in a busy firm setting.

Qualifications

• 2+ years' experience as a legal secretary.
• Strong skills in word processing and computer use (MS Office); ability to type 85 wpm with high accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Type, proofread, format and edit correspondence, pleadings, memoranda, agreements and other legal documents under deadlines.
• Heavy court filings including serving pleadings with court and opposing counsel.
• Open new client and new matter files.
• Maintain attorney and client files; paper and electronic.
• Organize and maintain binders for trial and business development.
• Schedule appointments, depositions, meetings; maintain calendars; arrange travel; conference calls.
• Track deadlines and ensure docketing.
• Answer and screen phone calls.
• Open and route mail and email; attach files and documents.
• Enter attorney time into time-keeping program.
• Maintain and track CLE records for attorneys.
• Prepare and submit expense/reimbursement reports.
• Assist fellow secretaries and attorneys as needed.

Skills

Typing 85 wpm

MS Office (Word/Outlook/Excel)

Adobe Acrobat

PowerPoint

NetDocs

Timekeeping software

Legal secretary experience

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Electronic filing

Court filing systems

Job description

About Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella:

Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella is a mid-sized Chicago law firm with a collaborative environment that offers attorneys the best of both large and small firm experiences. Founded in 1992, the firm has approximately 70 attorneys and maintains a full-service practice spanning commercial litigation, corporate law, real estate, labor and employment, tax, trusts and estates, and other key business areas. Burke Warren is known for its supportive culture, client-focused approach, flexible billing options, high-quality work, and emphasis on long-term relationships.

Job Duties & Responsibilities:

• Type, proofread, format and edit correspondence, pleadings, memoranda, agreements and other legal documents under time-sensitive deadlines. Some pleading drafting. Conversion of both paper and electronic files to pdf format.
• Heavy court filings including serving pleadings with the court and on opposing and associated counsel, at state and federal level and in many different venues.
• Open new client and new matter files.
• Maintain attorney and client files, both paper and electronic formats. Maintain email and electronic files.
• Organize and maintain binders for trial, working papers, and business development purposes.
• Schedule appointments, depositions, meetings; maintain calendars; make travel arrangements; set up conference calls.
• Track deadlines, provide deadlines to docketing and confirm deadlines are docketed correctly.
• Answer, screen and respond to phone calls.
• Open and route mail and email, attaching files and documents.
• Enter attorney time into time-keeping program.
• Maintain and track CLE records for attorneys.
• Prepare and submit expense/reimbursement reports.
• Assist fellow secretaries and additional attorneys as needed.

Qualifications:

• 2+ years' experience as a legal secretary.
• Strong skills in word processing and computer use: ability to type 85 wpm with high accuracy; proficiency in MS Office Products (Word, Outlook, Excel) and Adobe Acrobat required; some knowledge of PowerPoint, time keeping programs, NetDocs preferred.
• Current experience filing documents with State and Federal Courts, including electronic filing. Ability to read and understand court rules, including rules for courts you have not worked with before, and to ensure compliance with assigned judge's Individual Rules and Practices.
• High attention to detail and sensitivity to confidential and sensitive materials required.
• High level of energy required.
• Very fast paced desk and attorneys; ability to prioritize on a constant and high level basis required.
• Ability and willingness to learn new programs and program updates.
• Excellent transcription, grammar, proofreading and organizational skills.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, with all levels of a professional services organization.
• Ability to communicate by telephone in a professional, courteous manner with clients, firm members, and other business contacts.
• Ability to prioritize tasks on a desk and to handle multiple demands from multiple people.
• Ability to understand and follow work instructions with minimal supervision.
• Ability to follow client confidentiality guidelines.
• High School Diploma or GED

Compensation:

The salary range for this position is $65,000 - $90,000 a year based on experience.

Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella, P.C. is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, religion, disability, citizenship status, national origin, pregnancy, veteran status and any other factor protected by applicable law. Further, Burke Warren takes affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and employees are treated during employment, without regard to any of these characteristics. Burke Warren does not tolerate discrimination of any type.