Litigation Legal Secretary

Wilson Elser is a leading defense litigation law firm with more than 1,250 attorneys in 44 offices throughout the United States. Founded in 1978, we rank among the top 200 law firms identified by The American Lawyer and 43rd in the National Law Journal’s survey of the nation’s largest law firms. We’re also Mansfield Certified Plus and a Women in the Law Forum Gold Standard Law Firm.

Our firm is committed to attracting and retaining professionals who value each other and the service we provide by embracing Teamwork, Collaboration, Client Service, and Innovation. If you are a motivated professional looking for a long-term fit where you can grow in a role, and will be valued and empowered, then we invite you to apply to our Litigation Legal Secretary position in our Houston office.

This position offers a flexible, hybrid working arrangement.

The Position

We are seeking a seasoned Litigation Legal Secretary to become an integral part of our vibrant legal team. In this role, you will be at the heart of the action, providing essential support to our attorneys through every phase of litigation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Craft and Prepare Legal Documents: Skillfully draft and finalize pleadings and discovery documents for filing and service, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Orchestrate Key Legal Events: Coordinate and schedule depositions, seamlessly managing communication between attorneys, clients, witnesses, and court reporters.
• Plan Strategic Meetings: Schedule and organize conference calls, on-site and off-site meetings, facilitating smooth collaboration among team members.
• Design Travel Itineraries: Arrange and coordinate comprehensive travel plans, ensuring hassle-free logistics for attorneys and clients.
• Master Case Calendars: Efficiently manage the scheduling of depositions, hearings, trials, and all critical dates, maintaining precision and organization.
• Optimize Outlook Scheduling: Oversee attorneys’ Outlook calendars flawlessly, organizing appointments, conferences, and meetings.
• Open New Legal Matters: Initiate new client matters, perform thorough conflict checks for partner review and prepare personalized engagement letters.
• Streamline Document Management: Expertly organize, save, and manage documents and emails in the document management system, maintaining easy access to all key information.
• Stay Ahead of Court Rules: Become proficient in court rules and filing procedures to ensure smooth and compliant submissions.
• Manage Attorney Expenses: Submit expense reports for attorneys with efficiency and accuracy, supporting smooth financial operations.
• Handle Vendor Billing: Manage third-party vendor bills,, processing check requests, and liaising with accounting to ensure timely payments.

Qualifications

• Seasoned Litigation Expert: Bring 10+ years of proven experience in the fast-paced world of litigation, confidently navigating complex cases from discovery through trial.
• Master of Legal Procedures: Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of litigation, including e-filings, trial procedures, and intricate federal and state court procedures and rules. Experience with multi-state court filing procedures is an asset.
• Tech-Savvy Legal Professional: Leverage your expertise with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint) to streamline legal processes and enhance productivity.
• eDockets & Document Management Proficiency: Prior experience working with eDockets and advanced document management systems like iManage highly preferred, enabling you to stay organized and efficient in document-heavy cases.
• Relationship-Builder: Possess strong interpersonal skills, allowing you to cultivate positive relationships with attorneys, clients, and court personnel alike.
• Organizational Guru: Excel in organizational excellence with a proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment where multi-tasking and prioritization are key to success.
• Self-Starter & Independent Worker: Take initiative and work autonomously with confidence in handling complex tasks and competing priorities with ease.
• Pressure-Proof Performer: Remain calm, flexible and proactive when working under pressure, offering creative solutions, and maintaining efficiency in any situation.

Why Should You Apply? 

• Benefits: Outstanding benefits package, including 401k match and generous PTO plan
• Career Growth: Ample opportunities for professional development and advancement
• Employee Perks: Access to corporate discount plans and other benefits

Wilson Elser welcomes submissions of candidates for our open positions exclusively from recruitment agencies with an active, signed fee agreement who have been granted access to a position through our dedicated Recruitment Agency Portal. We are unable to consider submissions from recruitment agencies without a current (dated as of 7/1/2024) agreement in place. We appreciate your understanding. For collaboration inquiries or to establish an agreement, please contact us at talentacquisition@wilsonelser.com.

We believe in creating a work environment free of barriers and bias, where individual outlooks and talents are respected and valued. Our firm's policy is to ensure an equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment based on race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, disability, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by the law.