Legal Secretary

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.

Are you a proactive and detail-oriented professional looking to make a significant impact in the legal field? As a Legal Secretary at our firm, you will be at the heart of our operations, providing essential administrative and executive support to our attorneys, paralegals and business leaders. This role is perfect for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and possesses strong organizational, communication, and up-to-date technical skills. You will be instrumental in ensuring we deliver on our core principles including a firm first mentality, client-centricity, collaboration and excellence.  We offer a supportive and inclusive work environment where you can develop your skills and grow your career. This is a challenging and rewarding role that offers the opportunity to make a real difference.

The Legal Secretary provides essential administrative and executive support to attorneys, paralegals and business leaders. This role is essential to ensuring we deliver on our core principles including a firm first mentality, client-centricity, collaboration and excellence. The Legal Secretary must thrive in a fast-paced team environment and demonstrate strong organizational, communication and up-to-date technical skills.

What You Will Do:

Administrative Support

• You will play a crucial role in managing the daily operations of our legal team. Your responsibilities will include managing complex calendars, arranging meetings, and coordinating travel arrangements for attorneys, paralegals and business leaders. You will manage all aspects of meeting logistics, e.g., booking conference rooms, registering guests, securing equipment, and arranging catering services. Efficiently managing all communication modalities including calls, emails and hard copy mail. you will ensure communications are handled appropriately and in a timely manner. Additionally, you will prepare and process expense reports and check requests, ensuring accurate documentation for timely reimbursement/payment. You will provide backup support to other secretaries, including absence coverage and overflow tasks as needed.

Document Preparation & File Management

• You will be responsible for proofreading and editing legal documents, correspondence, memos, and other communications to ensure accuracy and clarity. You will assist with the preparation, management, and distribution of audit response letters, and maintain organized, up-to-date client and administrative files in the firm’s electronic document management system, ensuring quick document retrieval and compliance with firm policies.

Business Intake/Conflicts

• You will open new client and/or matter numbers, maintain and edit matters, perform conflict checks, and prepare engagement letters, coordinating their signing through DocuSign.

Time Entry/Billing

• You are responsible to facilitate time entry for assigned attorneys and paralegals including input, review, edit and release of time. May support billing process e.g., track billing deadlines, circulate prebills to attorneys for review, etc.

Who You Are:

• High school diploma/GED required

• College degree preferred but not required

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

• Excellent Organizational and Multitasking Abilities: You possess exceptional organizational skills, allowing you to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously with efficiency and precision. Your ability to prioritize and handle a variety of responsibilities ensures that deadlines are met, and operations run smoothly, even in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong Communication Skills, Both Written and Verbal: You have outstanding communication skills, both written and verbal, enabling you to convey information clearly and effectively. Whether drafting legal documents, corresponding with clients, or collaborating with colleagues, your communication is always professional and articulate, fostering strong working relationships and ensuring accurate information exchange.

• Ability to Maintain Confidentiality: You understand the importance of confidentiality in the legal field and are committed to maintaining the highest standards of privacy and discretion. You handle sensitive information with care, ensuring that all client and firm data is protected and only shared with authorized individuals

• Actively Pursues Opportunities for Self-Development and Collaboration: You are committed to continuous learning and professional growth. You actively seek out opportunities to enhance your skills and knowledge, and you value collaboration, working effectively with colleagues to achieve common goals and improve team performance.

• Understands Firm Structure and Available Resources: You have a thorough understanding of the firm’s structure and the resources available to you. This knowledge allows you to navigate the organization efficiently, leveraging the right tools and contacts to support your work and contribute to the firm’s success.

• Looks for Ways to Improve Processes and Procedures: You are proactive in identifying areas for improvement within existing processes and procedures. Your innovative mindset drives you to suggest and implement changes that enhance efficiency, accuracy, and overall effectiveness.

• Analytical Ability to Solve Administrative Problems: You possess strong analytical skills, enabling you to find solutions to various administrative challenges. You can assess situations, accurately identify issues, and prioritize workloads effectively, ensuring that problems are resolved promptly and operations continue with minimal disruption.

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Benefits and More

At Goodwin, you will discover your next career opportunity with a rewarding compensation package and comprehensive benefits, including:

• Flexible work arrangements and hybrid work schedule

• Health, dental, and vision insurance

• Life and disability insurance

• Retirement & Savings Plan

• Emergency back-up child and adult care

• Paid vacation, sick time off, and holidays

• Professional development and career advancement opportunities

• Employee recognition and reward programs

• Employee wellness and assistance programs

• Employee discounts and perks

​Consistent with the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance an arrest and conviction record will not automatically disqualify a qualified applicant from consideration.

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.