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 Withers

For 125 years, our firm has focused on and helped successful people, families, entrepreneurs, family businesses, governments and institutions negotiate the wide range of legal issues they face in their business and personal lives. Over time, we have gained valuable insights into the ways wealth can be generated, preserved, deployed and enhanced. We assist our clients in a variety of industry sectors including real estate, manufacturing, motorsport, luxury brands, sport, hotels and hospitality, technology, energy, art and cultural assets, life sciences, charities and philanthropy and financial services. With 17 offices our experience means we can see the global picture. We provide legal advice across a range of different practice areas including estate planning, personal and corporate tax and, corporate, banking and finance, access to capital (both private and public) both equity and debt, real estate, intellectual property, immigration, international trust structuring, philanthropy, luxury assets, international probate, public international law and international arbitration. 

Equal Opportunities Employment Statement 

Withers Bergman LLP is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.  Equal employment opportunity has been and will continue to be a fundamental principle at the firm. Employment at the firm is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. The firm prohibits and will not tolerate any discrimination or harassment on the basis of any of these classifications or characteristics.

If you are interested in applying for employment and need special assistance or an accommodation to use our website to apply for a position, please contact the firm at 203 789 1320 or email us.recruiting@withersworldwide.com with your request.  Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation are made on a case-by-case basis.