Legal Secretary

RICHARDS WATSON GERSHON; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Richards, Watson & Gershon seeks a full-time Legal Secretary for its Los Angeles office. The role is non-exempt, 7.5-hour/day, with a hybrid schedule after three months—four on-site days and one remote day weekly; after six months, a second remote day per week may be added, subject to business needs.

The candidate will support 3-5 attorneys in litigation and public law, draft and file documents, manage calendars, and assist with travel and expense tracking.

Responsibilities

• Provide secretarial and administrative support to 3-5 attorneys with litigation and public law practices.
• Draft, proofread, and revise various documents including pleadings, correspondence, memoranda, letters, emails, and investigation reports.
• Timely file documents with courts and administrative bodies, including electronic filing where applicable.
• Assist with preparation for meetings, depositions, hearings, mediations, trials and other proceedings.
• Review mail and route to appropriate parties, maintain electronic case and administrative files.

Job description

Richards, Watson & Gershon is seeking a full-time Legal Secretary to join its Los Angeles office. This position is a full-time, non-exempt, 7.5-hour/day position. Employees are eligible for a hybrid work schedule after completing three (3) months of employment. At that time, eligible employees may work four (4) days on-site and one (1) day remotely each week. Upon completing six (6) months of employment with satisfactory performance, employees may become eligible for a second remote workday per week. This arrangement may be changed at any time based on business needs and decisions.

Essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide secretarial and administrative support to 3-5 attorneys with their litigation and public law practices.
• Provide backup support to other secretaries during absences.
• Draft, proofread, and revise various documents, including pleadings, correspondence, memoranda, letters, emails, and investigation reports.
• Timely file documents with various courts and administrative bodies, including electronic filing where applicable.
• Assist with preparation for meetings, depositions, hearings, mediations, trials, and other proceedings.
• Review incoming mail and correctly route it to appropriate parties, including attorneys and the Firm’s Calendaring/Docketing Department.
• Review and maintain electronic case and administrative files.
• Maintain assigned attorneys’ calendars to track meetings, hearings, depositions, court dates, and other due dates as well as maintain attorneys’ contacts.
• Coordinate with Firm’s billing personnel to facilitate attorneys’ timely review of monthly billing statements and invoicing of clients.
• Create New Client Matter Memos, including tracking the status of each.
• Prepare check requests and coordinate payment to vendors as necessary.
• Assist with travel arrangements and prepare and track expense reimbursements.
• Ability to work overtime as needed.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma required; Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of legal secretary experience.
• Experience with filing in Appellate Court is a plus.
• Clear and effective written and verbal skills.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to multitask and meet deadlines in a high-pressure environment.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively, demonstrating strong problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Nuance is required.

We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in the manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.