Legal Secretary

La Follette, Johnson, DeHaas, Fesler & Ames is a statewide civil litigation firm with over 60 years of defense law excellence. Founded by John T. La Follette and Daren T. Johnson, the firm first began practicing law in Los Angeles in 1965, and specializes in medical malpractice, elder abuse, general liability, employment law and products liability. Since its inception, the firm has grown into one of California’s largest, most recognized and experienced defense law firms, with multiple offices throughout California.

At La Follette Johnson, we understand that exceptional staff make the difference for our clients. We provide an environment with professional growth, the opportunity to work on meaningful and challenging matters with our clients, and excellent benefits.

Position Summary

Each Legal Secretary supports one to three attorneys and must successfully manage a heavy litigation desk, showcasing strong initiative and the ability to be detail-oriented in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and deadlines. The professional we are seeking must possess integrity, the ability to successfully work under extreme pressure, sound judgement, excellent communication and superior organizational and time management skills. Our high-caliber secretaries take pride in where they work, in their profession, and in providing support for one another.

Position Responsibilities

• Provide a high degree of litigation legal secretarial support to attorneys, paralegals and other administrative personnel.
• Identify, calendar and create shells for documents including discovery, motions, depositions, etc.
• Assist with trial preparation, such as organizing exhibits, preparing witness lists, and ensuring all documents are available for trial.
• Prepare, format, proof, and coordinate legal documents for filing/service with various courts, in various jurisdictions, per local court rules.
• Research local court rules and filing procedures.
• Manage communications, including emails, text, conference calls, etc. to/from other parties, attorneys, clients and staff.
• Identify and save in the electronic file the various pleadings, documents, etc.
• Ensure that case files are organized both physically and electronically, including labeling documents appropriately.
• Prepare and process new client matter reports, timesheets and expense reports.
• Schedule and coordinate travel arrangements, conferences, meetings and appointments.
• Manage and prioritize workflow.
• Support others including visitors, paralegals, summer associates and attorneys whose secretaries are absent.
• Perform other work-related duties as assigned.

Position Requirements

• A minimum of three (3) years’ experience with litigation legal secretarial support.
• Proficient with legal terminology, court rules, and e-filing procedures.
• Strong skills in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint; ProLaw, a plus.
• Excellent understanding of legal calendaring and tracking deadlines.
• Ability to manage priorities, including heavy emails and multiple attorney calendars.
• Experience drafting and filing pleadings, drafting and serving discovery.
• Experience with trial preparation, including pre-trial deadlines.
• Solid proofreading skills and strong attention to detail.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines and respond to changing priorities.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with everyone on the team, including attorneys, clients, and others outside the Firm.
• Reliable attendance and availability to work occasional overtime.
• Experience in medical malpractice, motions for summary judgment, table of authorities (TOAs) and table of contents (TOCs), a plus.

Benefits and Terms

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Health Reimbursement Account
• 401(k) with employer match
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending accounts
• Company-Paid Life/AD&D, Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability insurance
• Paid time off

La Follette, Johnson, DeHaas, Fesler & Ames is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive workplace. Employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs in accordance with applicable laws.