Legal Secretary Trusts & Estates

Job Description

Job Description

Legal Secretary – Trusts & Estates

Sacramento, CA

Direct Counsel is seeking an experienced Legal Secretary to join a well-established California law firm’s Trusts & Estates Practice Group in its Sacramento office. This is a full-time position supporting attorneys handling sophisticated trusts and estates matters, including trust administration, probate, and related litigation. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities while providing exceptional client service and maintaining strict confidentiality.

Position Overview

The Legal Secretary will provide comprehensive legal and administrative support to attorneys within the Trusts & Estates Practice Group. Responsibilities will include managing attorney calendars and deadlines, preparing and filing legal documents, coordinating court and litigation-related proceedings, maintaining client files, and facilitating communications with clients, courts, opposing counsel, experts, and other professionals.

The successful candidate will have strong knowledge of legal procedures, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced legal environment.

A hybrid work arrangement may be available after 90 days, consisting of four days in the office and one day remote.

Responsibilities

• Maintain attorney calendars, including hearings, depositions, mediations, arbitrations, client meetings, conferences, travel, and other appointments

• Monitor critical deadlines and filing requirements

• Prepare, revise, proofread, format, and finalize legal documents, including pleadings, motions, discovery, briefs, correspondence, and other legal materials

• Prepare documents for state and federal court filings, discovery, arbitration, mediation, and hearings, including electronic filings

• Coordinate court reporters, expert witnesses, couriers, and other litigation support services

• Coordinate the preparation of exhibits, charts, graphs, presentation materials, and other case-related documents

• Complete conflict checks, new matter requests, and related matter-opening documentation

• Maintain accurate and organized client and matter files using iManage

• Communicate with clients and other contacts, obtain and convey information, and follow up on delegated assignments

• Exercise sound judgment in identifying matters requiring attorney attention

• Coordinate communications with clients, courts, opposing counsel, vendors, experts, consultants, court reporters, and outside service providers

• Maintain professional client relationships while preserving the confidentiality of attorney-client communications

• Prepare expense reports, enter attorney time, and review and edit pre-bills

• Answer and screen telephone calls

• Manage attorney email and other correspondence as needed

• Process incoming and outgoing mail and coordinate special delivery services

• Photocopy, scan, assemble, and distribute documents and binders

• Collaborate with attorneys, paralegals, and administrative staff to ensure timely completion of projects

• Provide cross-coverage and assistance to other legal secretaries as needed

• Perform additional legal and administrative support duties as assigned

Qualifications

• 5+ years of legal secretary experience supporting attorneys

• Experience supporting a Trusts & Estates practice strongly preferred

• Experience with trusts and estates litigation, trust administration, probate, or related matters preferred

• Knowledge of federal and state court filing procedures, including electronic filing requirements

• Familiarity with AAA, JAMS, and other arbitration and mediation filing requirements

• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

• Typing speed of at least 50 WPM

• Strong legal document drafting, proofreading, and formatting skills

• Experience with document management systems, time entry, billing, and litigation support software

• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy

• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Professional, client-focused demeanor with strong discretion and judgment

• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work effectively under pressure, and consistently meet deadlines

• Self-motivated and able to work independently while collaborating effectively as part of a team

• Reliable attendance, flexibility, and ability to thrive in a fast-paced legal environment

Compensation & Work Arrangement

Salary: $82,000–$95,000 , commensurate with experience.

Hybrid arrangement: May be available after 90 days, with four days in the Sacramento office and one day remote.

Location

Sacramento, CA