Legal Secretary - Litigation Support

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; Hybrid; ZAR 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonuses

Medical aid

Provident fund

Job summary

Placements24, Richards Bay-based law firm client, seeks a highly organized Legal Secretary for a busy litigation department. The hybrid role supports legal practitioners, manages schedules, drafts documents, and handles client communications with strict confidentiality.

The successful candidate will prepare court filings, keep case files up to date, and assist with invoicing and travel arrangements. A Legal Secretarial qualification and 5+ years of experience are required.

Qualifications

• Matriculation with strong academic record.
• Legal secretarial qualification or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years in a legal secretary role, preferably within a litigation environment.
• Proficiency in MS Office and legal software.
• Excellent typing skills and knowledge of legal terminology.
• Exceptional organizational and time management abilities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with a professional demeanor.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Willingness to adhere to a hybrid work schedule, balancing remote work with office presence in Richards Bay.

Responsibilities

• Provide secretarial and administrative support to litigation attorneys, including drafting correspondence and pleadings.
• Manage and maintain attorneys' diaries, scheduling court dates and client meetings.
• Prepare court filings and ensure deadlines and court rules are met.
• Organize and manage case files, keeping documentation up to date and secure.
• Conduct legal research as directed by attorneys.
• Handle calls, emails, and inquiries from clients and court staff.
• Process invoices and manage petty cash for the department.
• Transcribe legal dictation and proofread documents for accuracy.
• Assist with travel arrangements and expense reporting.

Skills

Legal secretarial experience

Discretion and confidentiality

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Typing speed

Time management

Ability to work under pressure

Education

Matriculation

Legal Secretarial qualification

Tools

MS Office Suite

Legal software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a well-established and respected law firm in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal , is seeking a highly organized and efficient Legal Secretary to provide comprehensive administrative and secretarial support to their busy litigation department. This hybrid role requires a professional who can manage diverse administrative tasks, support legal practitioners effectively, and maintain confidentiality. You will be responsible for managing schedules, preparing legal documents, handling client communications, and ensuring the smooth operation of the litigation practice. Your contribution will be vital in ensuring the efficient handling of cases.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide secretarial and administrative support to litigation attorneys, including drafting correspondence, pleadings, and other legal documents.
• Manage and maintain attorneys' diaries, scheduling appointments, court dates, and client meetings.
• Prepare court filings and ensure adherence to filing deadlines and court rules.
• Organize and manage case files, ensuring all documentation is up-to-date and securely stored.
• Conduct legal research and gather relevant information as directed by attorneys.
• Handle telephone calls, emails, and in-person inquiries from clients, court staff, and other legal professionals.
• Process invoices and manage petty cash for the department.
• Transcribe legal dictation and proofread documents for accuracy.
• Assist with travel arrangements and expense reporting.

Requirements

• Matriculation certificate with a strong academic record.
• A recognized Legal Secretarial qualification or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience as a Legal Secretary, preferably within a litigation environment.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and legal software.
• Excellent typing skills and knowledge of legal terminology.
• Exceptional organizational and time management abilities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with a professional demeanor.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Willingness to adhere to a hybrid work schedule, balancing remote work with necessary office presence in **Richards Bay**.
• Discretion and a high level of confidentiality.

Benefits

This hybrid position offers a competitive salary, potential for performance bonuses, and comprehensive benefits including medical aid and a provident fund. Our client provides a supportive work environment with opportunities for professional development and learning within the legal field. You will gain valuable experience working on diverse litigation matters and contribute to a firm known for its commitment to excellence in **Richards Bay**. The hybrid arrangement allows for a balanced approach to work and personal life.