Legal Secretary

At Haynes and Boone, our people are the driving force behind our success. Because we value the role every individual plays in how we deliver exceptional legal services, we hire people who will contribute to our professional reputation, enhance client relationships and share in our success.

Haynes and Boone’s Orange County office serves the needs of California’s premier technology industries and capitalizes on the West Coast’s global access. We have vibrant practices in intellectual property (IP), in-bound Asian work, venture-funded corporate matters, and big-ticket litigation such as patent, securities, insurance coverage, and class action labor and employment matters. Our thriving economic community is home to an array of businesses, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to emerging technology ventures. Our expanded presence here heightens Haynes and Boone’s coast-to-coast capabilities while giving clients the benefits of our growing geographic base. Most of our California-based lawyers have earned engineering or technical degrees in addition to law degrees, enhancing their understanding of the intricacies of IP. Our team members have been recognized in publications such as The Best Lawyers in America directory (Woodward/White, Inc.), Intellectual Asset Management (IAM) Patent 1000 (Globe White Page Ltd), and Managing IP Magazine (Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC). We are committed to having a diverse workforce that reflects our communities, and we seek highly motivated lawyers and staff who value our culture of respect and teamwork.

Salary Range:

The expected salary range for this position is $65,000.00-$105,000.00. Please note that the final offer amount may vary based on experience and skillset of the selected candidate.The Orange County office of Haynes and Boone is looking for a sharp, experienced Litigation Legal Secretary who thrives in a fast-paced, high-performing environment. If you’re used to handling cases across multiple jurisdictions—including state and federal courts—and take pride in staying organized while keeping things moving, we want to hear from you.

This is a hands-on, team-driven role where you’ll support attorneys in all aspects of litigation and client service. You’ll be expected to deliver high-quality work under tight deadlines with minimal supervision. Strong judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently are key.

We’re looking for someone who’s proactive, tech-savvy, and adaptable—someone who can jump in, take ownership, and keep things running smoothly. Top-notch communication and client service skills are essential, along with a “can-do” attitude and the flexibility to tackle shifting priorities.

This is a non-exempt position based in a collaborative, client-focused environment where your contributions make a real impact.

Our Orange County office is located in the vibrant South Coast Metro area—right next to Segerstrom Center for the Arts and just across the street from South Coast Plaza.

Ready to join a team where excellence and collaboration are the norm? We’d love to have you.

Essential Duties

• Provide proactive, day-to-day support to multiple attorneys—both partners and associates—in a busy litigation practice

• Draft, format, revise, and finalize a variety of legal documents, including pleadings, discovery, correspondence, and shell templates

• Handle electronic filing in both state and federal courts, including California Superior and U.S. District Courts

• Manage attorney calendars and monitor court deadlines using Compulaw or similar docketing software

• Prepare and organize materials for depositions, hearings, trials, and other key litigation events

• Coordinate service of process, court filings, messenger deliveries, and other time-sensitive tasks

• Assist with administrative support, including expense reports, time entry, travel arrangements, and document management.

Other Duties

Assist summer associates, visiting attorneys and attorneys needing back-up or special project assistance; Perform other related duties as needed or assigned.

Reporting Relationship

This position reports directly to the Office Administrator and works closely with assigned attorneys across various levels.

Qualifications

Knowledge/Experience

• 5–7 years of solid litigation secretarial experience, with a strong grasp of state and federal court rules, formatting requirements, and electronic filing procedures across various agencies.

• Familiarity with local court rules with the ability to research venue-specific requirements as needed.

• Prior experience in a mid-size to large law firm is strongly preferred.

• A solid understanding of general office procedures and a working knowledge of litigation terminology.

• Experience with e-filing via ECF, conducting PACER searches, and using Secretary of State databases.

• Proficiency with the firm’s systems is a plus, especially NetDocuments, Chrome River, Elite 3E, and Compulaw. Comfort with electronic calendaring is essential.

• Prior experience handling expense reports, billing, multi-line phones, conflict checks, new matter intake, and using a CRM like InterAction is highly valued.

• Must have experience supporting multiple attorneys, including those located in other offices and various litigation practices (complex business litigation, labor and employment, and intellectual property litigation).

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including on point proof reading skills with a polished and professional demeanor.

• Strong client service and phone etiquette, including direct client interaction.

• Exceptional organizational skills, with the ability to juggle multiple attorneys, deadlines, and case files.

• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, stay calm under pressure, and maintain strict confidentiality in a fast-paced environment.

• A collaborative spirit with a can-do attitude—someone who works well with others and is always ready to pitch in.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

Skills

• Advanced technical skills with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint, as well as tools like CompareDocs, Adobe Acrobat Pro, DocuSign, and Compulaw

• Highly proficient in legal document formatting, including creating and editing Tables of Contents, Tables of Authorities, and pleadings

• Knowledge of legal filing systems and litigation record-keeping practices

• Excellent written and verbal communication, with strong grammar, spelling, punctuation, and polished phone etiquette

• Comfortable with work tools, including instant messaging (e.g., Cisco Jabber), email (Microsoft Outlook), and video meetings (Zoom or similar platforms)

• Meticulous attention to detail and strong follow-through

• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and shift gears as priorities change

• A team player with outstanding customer service skills, a flexible mindset, and the ability to collaborate, delegate, and adapt in a fast-paced environment

Education

High School diploma and least 2 years of college preferred. A paralegal certification from an ABA approved school or comparable experience is a plus.

Physical Demands

Must be able to move around the office up to 15% of the time to make copies, fax, file, etc. Remains stationary at least 85% of the time. This position operates computers and other office productivity machines (e.g., fax machine, copier, printer) on a regular basis. Occasionally required to move documents or files weighing up to 15 lbs.  This position requires constant communication and exchange of information with the firm attorneys, clients and staff. This position must be able to inspect and observe information on a computer screen at least 80% of the time.

Working Conditions

Office environment; Work across offices spanning different time zones; Able to work overtime. A hybrid work schedule of 4 days in the office, 1 day remote is available. Position may require occasional travel for trials and client meetings.