Legal Secretary (Private Client & Tax)

Summary

The legal secretary position at Withers Bergman LLP is responsible for providing a broad range of secretarial and administrative support to attorneys, fee-earners, administrative personnel and clients.  This role is resident in the Los Angeles office and is assigned to the Private Client and Tax division. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

• Drafts letters and trust and estate related documents; collects and analyzes information; prepares charts, graphs, and other visuals.
• Supports fee-earners and clients by reading, researching, reviewing, verifying, and routing correspondence, reports and legal documents.
• Maintains attorneys' calendars by scheduling Zoom/Microsoft Teams meetings, conference, and travel.
• Maintains hard copy electronic filing system (FileSite/iManage)
• Schedules meetings with internal and external participants and arranges conferences, and travel arrangements.
• Communicates and obtains information from/for internal and external clients.
• Inputs attorney time into timekeeping software (3E).
• Prepares Chrome River reimbursements reports for assigned fee-earners.
• Coordinates monthly billing process between accounting and assigned partner(s). This includes preparation of draft and final client invoices and transmittal of same.
• Supports the New Client Intake process which includes the conflicts check, matter details and Engagement Letter preparation.
• Operates office equipment including photocopy machine and scanner when needed.
• Maintains confidentiality of client and firm matters.
• Performs other job related duties as assigned.

Key Skills and Experience 

• Has built a career assisting others and knows the level of attention this role demands.
• Has tested various ways to stay on top of your to-do list, and found an ideal method to ensure success.
• Is highly resourceful, composed and empathetic.
• Is energized by a sizeable fast-paced estate planning practice.
• Proven capability in providing a high degree of client service in all interactions.
• Expertly leverages relationships to coordinate complicated calendars, prepare documents for meetings, track deadlines and contribute to ad hoc projects.
• Has 2+ years of administrative experience supporting multiple attorneys or senior leaders simultaneously, law firm experience preferred but not required.

What Success Looks Like  

• Accomplishing team client service goals.
• Demonstrating by example what it looks like to succeed as a Team Member.
• Leading the team operationally to ensure success.
• Managing the partner's calendar to enable them to complete client work and think strategically and creatively for clients.
• Tackling new technology, challenge and projects with confidence.
• Inspiring the confidence of clients and referral sources (internal and external) who trust that they are in good hands and are routed in the right direction.

Education Requirements 

• High school diploma required; Bachelor's degree preferred.

The annual base compensation range for this role is $70,000 - $100,000.

About Withersworldwide 

Withersworldwide has been acting for successful individuals, families and institutions for over 100 years.

We advise clients on the full range of their business, personal and philanthropic legal needs, both at home and abroad.  With offices in the key financial centers of Europe, Asia-Pacific, the United States and the Caribbean, we provide coverage and services that other law firms focused on the needs of the individual cannot.  We have represented 46% of the Top 100 in The Sunday Times Rich List, 25% of the US Top 100 Forbes Rich List, 30% of the Top 20 Hong Kong billionaires in the Forbes World's Billionaires list and over 20% of the Forbes Asia's Richest Families list.

Equal Opportunities Employment Statement 

It is the policy of Withersworldwide to provide equal opportunities for all employees in relation to recruitment, training and promotion.  Decisions in these areas will be made only by reference to the requirements of the job and shall not be influenced by any consideration of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race (including color, nationality and ethnic and national origin), religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

The firm is committed to complying with all applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) and state and local disability laws, as applicable. It is the policy of the firm not to discriminate against any qualified employee or applicant with respect to any terms or conditions of employment because of such individual’s disability or perceived disability.  Such terms or conditions of employment include application procedures, hiring, advancement, discharge, compensation, training, or other privileges of employment.  The firm will make a reasonable accommodation for employees or applicants with a qualifying disability unless providing such accommodation would impose undue hardship.