Legal Secretary

Location: Washington, DC
Schedule: 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., M-F, unless otherwise approved; additional hours as required
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Position Type: Full-Time/Regular

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. We are currently seeking a Legal Secretary to support the International Trade practice, reporting directly to Assigned Attorney(s) and the Secretarial Manager.

The role will reside in the Washington, DC office with hybrid work capabilities and will be responsible for providing secretarial and administrative support to attorneys, advisors and other administrative personnel as assigned. Legal Secretaries are expected to perform all job duties with a commitment to providing superior service to clients, producing quality work products, and maintaining an atmosphere of teamwork and continuous improvement. 

Key responsibilities of this position include: 

• Type and edit on the computer system legal and other documents (including correspondence, memoranda, bills, timesheets and project work) from handwritten or typed materials.  
• Copy, distribute, send (electronically and/or via mail, courier or express service), file and otherwise handle completed work.  
• Proofread and redline work for accuracy of copy, format, grammar, punctuation and syntax.
• Receive, screen and transmit telephone calls, conference calls and messages to/from attorneys, clients and staff.
• Handle incoming and outgoing mail.
• Perform secretarial functions associated with firm administrative tasks, including processing new client/matter requests, client bills, time reports and expense reports.
• Set up and maintain files.
• Coordinate conferences, meetings and appointments.
• Coordinate travel arrangements, securing air and ground transportation and hotel accommodations.
• Coordinate work as needed with office, firm and third-party service departments, including Document Support Services, IT, Office Services, Conference Services, and Accounting.  
• Provide secretarial assistance to visitors, summer associates and attorneys whose secretaries are absent.
• Accept overflow work from the Secretarial Manager, Secretarial Team Coordinators and other secretaries as needed.

Qualifications (Experience, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities):

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Minimum of five years of secretarial experience supporting international trade partner level attorneys 
• Specialized secretarial degree, associate and/or bachelor's degree desirable but not required
• Some paralegal experience desired but not required
• Ability to type at least 70 words per minute with accuracy
• Thorough knowledge of MS Office applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Proficiency in eFiling and all court procedures
• Ability to produce TOCs and TOAs manually & accurately.
• Thorough knowledge of the proper preparation of time records, expense reports, client bills and conflict-checking forms (if applicable to position)
• Shorthand or fast notes (if applicable to position)
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including grammar, spelling and punctuation
• Ability to read, comprehend and follow instructions
• Thorough familiarity with legal terminology pertinent to general legal concepts and specific area(s) of assignment
• Proficiency with advanced telephone functions, including conference calling and voicemail
• Excellent telephone manner
• Familiarity with legal filing and record-keeping practices
• Calendar management and case tracking
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to perform clerical tasks with a high degree of accuracy
• Proficiency on office equipment used on a regular basis including computers, printers, copy machines, facsimile machines and telephones 
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team, take initiative, set priorities and see projects through completion
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, meet deadlines, handle multiple tasks, and respond to changing priorities
• Ability to establish effective working relationships within the office and firm, and with clients, vendors and others outside the firm
• Ability to perform mathematical functions - add, subtract, multiply, divide, work with percentages, etc.
• Strong service orientation
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality of client and office information, and adhering to the Firm’s Core Values
• Commitment to professional growth

The anticipated base salary range for this position in Washington, DC is $80,000 - $100,000.  The actual salary offered will be based on several factors, including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, years of relevant experience, certifications or other professional licenses held, job-related knowledge and skills, business needs, and the location from which the work will be performed.  Additionally, salary or hourly wages may be only part of the total compensation package, which may also include a full range of health and other insurance benefits, financial and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility), a discretionary bonus, and various paid time off benefits.  Additional information about benefits and rewards can be found here.

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP participates in E-Verify for purposes of verifying employment eligibility
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