Private Wealth Legal Executive Assistant

Katten is a full-service law firm with nearly 650 attorneys in locations across the United States and in London and Shanghai. Clients seeking sophisticated, high-value legal services turn to Katten for counsel locally, nationally and internationally. The firm’s core areas of practice include corporate, financial markets and funds, restructuring, intellectual property, litigation, real estate, structured finance and securitization, transactional tax planning, private credit and private wealth. Katten represents public and private companies in numerous industries, as well as a number of government and nonprofit organizations and individuals.

Legal Executive Assistant

Under the general direction of the Director of Office Administration and assigned attorney(s) or other legal personnel, and according to established firm policies and procedures, the Legal Executive Assistant is responsible for providing specialized administrative support and secretarial assistance to assigned attorney(s)/legal personnel pertaining to all aspects of Trusts and Estates/Private Wealth. Assignment involves multi-tasking complex document production with heavy administrative functions and client contact requiring a high degree of executive secretarial and technical skills.

This position typically supports three or more attorneys or other legal personnel as a primary assignment and, as part of a firmwide LEA team supporting the department, provides secretarial assistance to other attorneys/legal personnel, as requested. The Legal Executive Assistant maintains professionalism and strict confidentiality in all client and firm matters.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but may not be limited to, the tasks delineated below. Note that other duties may be requested and/or assigned. Regular and predictable attendance is an essential function of the position.Seeking onsite presence of 4-5 days a week. Essential functions are primary job duties that an individual must be able to perform successfully with or without reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Manage and maintain calendar (utilizing calendar software, if applicable) and assist in meeting deadlines. Schedule appointments and meetings, arrange for conference rooms, and communicate information to all respective parties.
• Answer, screen, and process incoming telephone calls. Record and transmit telephone messages. Set up conference calls. Provide information to callers when appropriate.
• Input attorney/legal personnel’s time utilizing the firm’s time entry software on a daily basis.
• Greet clients and visitors in a manner that promotes the professional image and best interests of the firm. Maintain excellent public relations with clients.
• Open new client matters and request conflict of interest checks. Generate new files and maintain client, chron, and general files assuring that filing is kept current. Prepare files to be closed utilizing proper records storage procedures.Conduct periodic review of inactive files for possible storage of files.
• Review/proofread prebills; edit and refine billing narratives in coordination with attorney(s), and collaborate with billing personnel to ensure client billing is sent out accurately and timely.
• Make travel arrangements, prepare itineraries, and compile documents for travel-related meetings.
• On a monthly basis, if applicable, prepare expense reports for each attorney/legal personnel. Submit to accounting for processing and advise attorney(s) of payment status.
• Generate, prepare, and organize documentation and forms requisite to the Private Wealth practice area, such as wills, codicils, agreements, amendments, trusts, powers, designations, distribution provisions, etc.
• In addition, prepare certified excerpts of trust documents. Prepare and assemble execution and post-ex documents, and affix appropriate backing.
• Create, edit, and compile large, complex, heavily formatted documents as well as prepare correspondence, memoranda, and other legal documents from draft or dictated text utilizing MS Word. Proofread all documents for accuracy and completeness. Compose correspondence when appropriate. As directed, convert documents into .pdf format.
• Prepare and submit court filings in state court, as needed.
• Maintain up-to-date listing of client/matter names and numbers for each attorney/legal personnel.
• Maintain knowledge of firm operating procedures, departments, and support areas.
• Prepare and keep current desk instructions with respect to each assigned attorney/legal personnel.
• Receive, sort, and distribute incoming mail. Process outgoing mail to assure timely delivery. File mail in client/case files, as necessary.
• Update attorney/legal personnel’s contacts in Interaction, Outlook, or document contact lists.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• High school diploma or equivalent and five or more years progressive legal secretarial experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Prior experience in the Private Wealth or Trusts and Estates practice area of law preferred.
• Must hold a valid Notary Public commission or be willing to obtain one shortly after hire (firm support provided for application as applicable).
• Computer proficient with experience and working knowledge of MS Word required. Ability to work with complex, heavily coded documents and produce documents from transcription. Working knowledge of iManage, Outlook, Excel, IRM or Adobe Acrobat Pro, Chrome River, Carpe Diem, Intapp, Interaction, PowerPoint and Zoom along with Microsoft Teams preferred. Keyboarding skills of 75 wpm or more preferred.
• Excellent organizational skills including record keeping, data collection, and system information. Ability to compile and analyze data and furnish information in report format, written correspondence, e-mail, or verbally.
• Analytical and technical skills require an aptitude for detail, precision, and logic in order to perform essential administrative/clerical functions and utilize firm software.
• Exhibit high degree of initiative in managing multiple priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven, detail-oriented work environment utilizing excellent judgment, administrative abilities, and decision-making skills. Ability to work with frequent interruptions and adapt to changes in workflow.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills. Ability to communicate with courtesy and diplomacy, efficiently follow written and instructions, provide information, and maintain effective relationships with a diverse group of attorneys, clients, staff, and outside contacts.
• Dependable team player who works collaboratively and cooperatively with others in a team-oriented environment. Ability to act independently and make decisions within scope of the position’s responsibilities.
• Proactive with excellent troubleshooting, problem resolution, and follow-through skills in order to oversee and complete assignments/tasks from inception to completion.
• Possess excellent knowledge of reading, writing, grammar, spelling, punctuation, proofreading, and formatting in order to organize and interpret source data, perform administrative functions, prepare relevant documentation, proofread material for grammatical, typographical, and spelling errors, and perform file maintenance.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, including computer, telephone, laser printer, transcription equipment, photocopier, scanner, facsimile, calculator, etc.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations and apply mathematical concepts when computing, reconciling balances, verifying numerical data on forms and documents, and preparing expense reports and/or billing.
• Ability to occasionally retrieve and distribute files, written documentation, or office supplies weighing up to 10 pounds.
• Work occasionally requires more than 35 hours per week to perform the essential duties of the position.

The annualized salary range for this position is $80,000 to $100,000. Actual pay will be adjusted based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law.

We offer an outstanding benefit package which includes: medical/dental/vision, 401k with employer contribution; transportation fringe benefit program; back-up care option; generous paid time off policy; and long-term and short-term disability policies.

Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.