Legal Secretary (FAS Team)

The FAS Team Secretary provides lawyers and other legal personnel with administrative, secretarial, and clerical assistance. The FAS Team collaborates, coordinates, maintains effective and efficient workflow, follows policies and procedures set by the Firm; establishes and maintains harmonious working relationships with team members, top level management, supervisors, coordinators, coworkers, and clients by performing the following:

• Coordinates foreign and domestic travel arrangements by securing air, hotel, rail, and car reservations for lawyers and clients. Prepares travel expense reports and other business-related expenses using the electronic accounting system and prepares itinerary for lawyers and colleagues.
• Maintains electronic calendar of meetings and appointments, and apprises lawyers of responsibilities in advance of commitment. Coordinates luncheons and schedules conference rooms for meetings using electronic room scheduler software.
• Facilitates work with the Accounting Department to coordinate client bills, generates monthly internal utilization reports, provides monthly and/or quarterly estimate reporting data, analyzes billing data, and responds to miscellaneous client inquiries/requests. Processes new business forms, new client/matter reports, and conflict of interest checks.
• Inputs daily diaries for lawyers in electronic Time Billing System; proofreads and edits time diaries for accuracy.
• Proofreads and revises all documents, including engagement letters, PowerPoint presentations, memoranda, audit letters, client deliverables, and other correspondence, etc., for accuracy, grammar, punctuation and syntax, and drafts correspondence.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the Duties and Responsibilities (Duties) above satisfactorily and meet the requirements below.  The requirements listed below are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.  If you need such an accommodation, please email staffrecruiting@sidley.com (current employees should contact Human Resources). 

Education and/or Experience: 

• 3+ years of related work experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Proficiency in MS Office applications

Preferred:

• Degree from an accredited college or university
• Ability to type 55 wpm
• Law Firm experience
• Legal terminology and legal document formatting

Other Skills and Abilities:

• Strong organizational skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Good judgment
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Able to work harmoniously and effectively with others
• Able to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion
• Able to work under pressure
• Able to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities

Sidley Austin LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer