Legal secretary job description

Zurich North America is currently hiring a Staff Legal Secretary to join our team in Addison/Dallas, TX. The Staff Legal Secretary performs a broad range of administrative and secretarial support for two General Liability defense attorneys. T his position is a hybrid of remote work and in office activity designed to meet the need of the selected candidate and Zurich North America. At Zurich North America Claims we acknowledge that work life-balance and flexibility are a priority when it comes to choosing your next career move. Designed with our employees' needs in mind, the ZNA Claims hybrid work model emphasizes flexibility, allowing claims employees to conduct individual work in their preferred location, while facilitating in-person connections and collaborative activities when meaningful and valuable. While the model provides a high level of flexibility and autonomy, occasional circumstances requiring in-office attendance should be expected. The candidate selected for this opportunity should be able to report into the following North American Claims office: Addison, TX
In this role you will be responsible for:
Organizes and maintains all electronic and paper files relating to litigation and administrative matters. Applies knowledge of legal document formats to transcribe and/or type contracts, briefs, summonses, complaints, and motions. Providing administrative support to 2 attorneys such as answering the phone, scheduling, and maintaining calendars, etc. Responding to inquiries from and interacts with customers, clients, counsel, and witnesses. Drafting legal pleadings, correspondence, and other documents as directed. Maintaining accurate systems for assigned attorneys' cases. Organizing and maintaining case files and documentation, electronically. Contributing to the team effort by accomplishing related results and participating on projects as needed
Basic Qualifications:
High School Diploma or Equivalent and 3 or more years of experience in the Legal Secretary area within the Insurance industry OR Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an Associate Degree and 1 or more years of experience in the Legal Secretary area within the Insurance industry AND Experience drafting legal documents and correspondence Experience providing administrative support to one or more attorneys
Preferred Qualifications:
Associate Degree or Bachelor's degree Ability to effectively draft complex legal documents, correspondence, and pleadings Strong Microsoft Office skills Familiarity with litigation management software systems Organization and prioritization skills Experience with Houston jurisdiction & laws

As a condition of employment at Zurich, employees must adhere to our COVID-related health and safety protocols ( ), including, without limitation, a requirement that employees attest as to their vaccination status with a YES/NO, and upload proof of vaccination status, or a negative COVID test result when applicable, to a third-party vendor. These protocols are continuously re-evaluated and the requirements may change at any time.

A future with Zurich. What can go right when you apply at Zurich?
Now is the time to move forward and make a difference. At Zurich, we want you to share your unique perspectives, experiences and ideas so we can grow and drive sustainable change together. As part of a leading global organization, Zurich North America has over 150 years of experience managing risk and supporting resilience. Today, Zurich North America is a leading provider of commercial property-casualty insurance solutions and a wide range of risk management products and services for businesses and individuals. We serve more than 25 industries, from agriculture to technology, and we insure 90% of the Fortune 500 . Our growth strategy is not limited to our business. As an employer, we strive to provide ongoing career development opportunities, and we foster an environment where voices are diverse, behaviors are inclusive, actions drive equity, and our people feel a sense of belonging. Be a part of the next evolution of the insurance industry. Join us in building a brighter future for our colleagues, our customers and the communities we serve. Zurich maintains a comprehensive employee benefits package for employees as well as eligible dependents and competitive compensation. Please click here to learn more.

As a global company, Zurich recognizes the diversity of our workforce as an asset. We recruit talented people from a variety of backgrounds with unique perspectives that are truly welcome here. Taken together, diversity and inclusion bring us closer to our common goal: exceeding our customers' expectations. Zurich does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other legally protected status. EOE disability/vet

Zurich does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or employment agencies. Any unsolicited resume will become the property of Zurich American Insurance. If you are a preferred vendor, please use our Recruiting Agency Portal for resume submission.

Location(s): AM - Dallas, AM - Addison
Remote Working: No
Schedule: Full Time

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Make an impact at Goodwin, where we partner with our clients to practice law with integrity, ingenuity, agility and ambition. We are in the business of building authentic, long-term relationships with our clients, who are some of the world's most successful and innovative investors, entrepreneurs and disruptors in the life sciences, private equity, real estate, technology and financial industries, and where they converge. Our immersive understanding of these industries - combined with our expertise across high-stakes litigation and dispute resolution, world-class regulatory compliance and advisory services, and complex transactions - sets us apart. Our Global Operations Team - all business professionals of the firm - was named the “Best Business Team” by The American Lawyer.

As a Legal Secretary you will provides high quality and efficient legal secretarial and administrative services, by maintaining good client relationships and providing professional support to a team of attorneys, specialists, legal assistants, managers and directors. Relieves team members of clerical work and minor administrative and business detail. This requires (i) teamwork; (ii) the ability to work closely and effectively with others; (iii) strong communication and technical skills; (iv) ability to prioritize and establish work objectives, and (v) the ability to work under deadlines, time pressures, and a generally high level of demand.
What You'll Do:
Client Service: Answers telephone calls and takes accurate and complete messages, gives information to callers, refers to others, or holds for team members. Provides relevant and timely information to clients and team members (including times when they are out of the office) in a professional, courteous, and effective manner.Retrieves voice mail messages, arranges conference calls.Document Preparation: Prepares accurate, error-free, and properly formatted legal papers and correspondence from dictation, tapes, or handwritten drafts. Compile, type, revise, combine, edit, print, and store documents. Compiles materials to be typed following written or oral instructions from supervisor or person requesting document to determine format desired, number of copies needed, priority, and other requirements. Reads instructions and accompanying material or follows verbal instructions from supervisor or person requesting document to determine format and content required. Establishes spacing, margins, type size, style and color, and other parameters, using computer and word processing software. Types, revises, and combines material such as correspondence, reports, records, forms, minutes of meetings, scientific or technical material, numerical data, and tabular information from rough draft, corrected copy, recorded voice dictation, or previous version. Checks completed document for spelling errors, using software. Proofreads and edits documents for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and format. Corrects errors. Inputs data for revision or editing. Files documents and emails in the Firm's electronic document software. Distributes correspondence using scanning, PDF, email or hard copy delivery. May compile and type statistical reports. Possesses proficient technical user knowledge of advanced functions of Microsoft Word 2010 word processing software and 60 wpm typing speed. Adaptable to learning new software. Time Entry/Billing: Inputs team members' time entries on a daily basis. Opens new client and/or matter numbers; performs conflict checks; demands prebill selection of monthly bills for attorney review; makes appropriate transfers, write-offs, and corrections; applies retainers, on account fees, and on account disbursements for third-party billings; handles special billing requests from clients, i.e., travel detail, special billing formats; copies, mails and forwards copies of finalized bills to Accounting Department; maintains billing files; receives, copies, files and submits client checks to Accounting Department; prepares client audit reports; acts as liaison with Accounting Department on past due receivables.Scheduling: Schedules appointments, including meetings, conferences, court dates, and depositions for team members. Coordinates work flow and prioritizes work so that all deadlines can be met. Arranges travel schedule and reservations for team members. Reserves conference room(s) for meetings; arranges for special equipment, and coordinates catering services.Mail: Reviews, prioritizes, and routes incoming mail. Prepares outgoing mail and overnight packages using the postage-metering machine, scale, and Federal Express Power ship. Coordinates messenger pickups and deliveries. Filing: Maintains current and orderly files according to Firm guidelines, including, but not limited to client files, chronological, administrative, materials for closings, court filings, and ongoing cases. Provides quick retrieval of information, general document control, and updates materials. Closes files and sends to storage following Firm policy.

Who You Are:
College Degree or Equivalent preferred, but not required.Expert proficiency with the MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) applications.Exceptional organizational skills that reflect ability to seamlessly perform and prioritize multiple tasks with excellent attention to detail.Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with internal and external Partners, Attorneys, staff and clients.The ability to communicate both orally and in written communications effectively and accurately.
#LI- MS1

Consistent with the SF Fair Chance Ordinance, an arrest and conviction record will not automatically disqualify a qualified applicant from consideration.

Goodwin Procter LLP is an equal opportunity employer. This means that Goodwin Procter LLP considers applicants for employment, and makes employment decisions without unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or other legally protected status.
Please note: Various agencies of the United States government require employers to collect information on applicants and employees. The National Association of Law Placement (NALP) and certain clients request us to keep track of certain aggregate information regarding lawyers. EEO information requested on this application is for purposes of compliance with these recordkeeping and reporting requirements and to determine recruiting and employment patterns. Submission of this information is voluntary and refusal to provide it will not
subject you to any adverse treatment.

A national labor and employment law firm in West Palm Beach, is seeking an experienced litigation secretary. Direct Hire role paying $55,000-$65,000.

The secretary provides direct support to a team of attorneys involved in employment-related litigation before administrative agencies and state and federal courts. The secretary assists attorneys in the delivery of quality legal services to clients who perform complex and specialized legal tasks and work collaboratively and cooperatively with others in a team-oriented environment. This position supports a group of attorneys as a primary assignment and also provides back-up assistance to others as assigned.
Responsibilities:
• Handles office correspondence and administrative tasks such as answering phone calls; communicating with clients, court clerks, and outside vendors; responding to emails, and routinely reviewing and following up on client deadlines and calendar appointments
• Assists attorneys in all phases of the litigation discovery process; helping attorneys prepare for hearings, arbitrations, and trials. Performs bates numbering and redacting, and e-files documents with various courts
• Processes monthly expense reports, and upon request, accurately enters, reviews, and revises timekeeper time entries
• Accurately formats and proofreads legal documents for grammatical, typographical, or spelling errors, and completeness prior to distribution or filing
• Maintains and organizes physical and electronic files
• Exhibits good judgment and organizational skills to receive, record, and disseminate all information on behalf of clients and assigned attorneys
• Coordinates meeting arrangements (i.e., arbitrations, depositions, mediations, etc.)
• Oversees the conflict check and client intake process for new matters
• Completes assigned tasks as expected. Able to juggle multiple assignments and/or deadlines while maintaining a professional demeanor and timely seeks assistance when needed

Qualifications:
• Applicants must be able to type at least 65 WPM
• A high school diploma or equivalent is required; an associate or bachelor's degree is a plus
• Minimum four years of solid litigation experience including Florida and Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
• Intermediate to advance skills in the use of MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook), time entry and e-Filing, and knowledge of an electronic document management system is preferred
• Excellent interpersonal/communication skills, and strong writing/grammar skills
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines with quick turnaround times
• Maintains a positive, "can-do" attitude when dealing with clients, co-workers, and attorneys
• Proven organizational skills, high dependability, initiative, flexibility, resiliency, and a pleasant disposition are essential attributes for this position

Apply today!
We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer committed to excellence, diversity and inclusion.