Legal Assistant/Secretary (Real Estate & Creditors' Rights)

Join our team at Wolcott Rivers Gates as a Legal Assistant supporting attorneys specializing in the practice areas of commercial real estate and creditors’ rights. The Legal Assistant provides comprehensive administrative support and assists with case management from initial consultation through final disposition. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, organized, self-motivated, and has excellent written and verbal communication skills, along with exceptional interpersonal skills. The right candidate will be a self-starter who takes initiative, learns quickly, and is able to work independently with minimal supervision.

What does someone in this role do?

The Legal Assistant works closely with attorneys and other team members to support all aspects of case management and administrative operations.

Primary responsibilities include:

Professional Communication & Client Support

• Communicating with clients, courts, opposing counsel, and other parties
• Assisting with consultations and client intake
• Providing general client services and updates

Administrative & Calendar Management

• Coordinating schedules among meeting participants
• Managing attorney calendars and providing reminders for deadlines and court dates
• Keeping the attorney organized, prepared, and on time for meetings, hearings, and appearances

Case Management & File Maintenance

• Maintaining organized electronic and hard-copy case files
• Tracking case status, deadlines, and tasks in case management software
• Assisting with basic computing and navigation of legal software/systems

Document Preparation & Legal Support

• Preparing, filing, and serving legal documents (pleadings, motions, letters, discovery, proposed orders, subpoenas, petitions, settlement agreements, affidavits, correspondence, etc.)
• Typing, transcribing, and formatting handwritten or dictated notes, letters, time entries, and other documents
• Organizing documents and preparing attorneys for depositions, trials, mediations, and court appearances

Billing & Administrative Tasks

• Tracking and entering billable hours
• Assisting with billing and invoicing
• Completing other ad-hoc duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Word, Adobe, and Outlook.
• Comfortable learning new technology platforms
• Exceptional attention to detail and proofreading skills
• Ability to type a minimum of 50 words per minute (60+ wpm preferred)

· Minimum completion of a two-year college degree program or legal studies certificate program preferred.

Experience:

We welcome applications from professionals at various career stages. Ideal candidates include:

· at least two years of experience in an office setting providing high-level administrative support and assistance as an administrative assistant, executive assistant, legal assistant, or other similar role.

What makes someone successful in this role?

• Ability to juggle competing priorities across multiple attorneys and cases
• Strong computer skills and willingness to learn new systems
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Calm under pressure in a demanding, deadline-driven environment

Wolcott Rivers Gates is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining top talent. Our continued success relies on our ability to provide a supportive, inclusive, and motivating environment where everyone has a role to play in delivering outstanding service to our clients.

To learn more about how you might become a part of our team, or to explore some of the benefits our firm provides to its employees, please visit our careers page at http://www.wolcottriversgates.com/about-the-firm/careers/

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Please provide your hourly rate or annual salary requirements.
• What is your current typing speed in words per minute (WPM)?

Hint: You can use a free online typing test such as https://www.speedtypingonline.com/typing-test if you are not sure.

• In a few sentences, please describe the experience, skills, and strengths that make you an ideal candidate for this position.
• • Law Firm Experience: Please specify the areas of law (i.e. family law, criminal defense, creditors rights, personal injury, collections, etc.) you have experience in and how many years in each area. Please identify the positions listed on your resume that correspond with the listed experience.

Education:

• Associate (Preferred)

Experience:

• Legal Assistant/Secretary or Paralegal : 2 years (Preferred)
• Admin/Exec. Assistant: 2 years (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Paralegal/Legal Assistant Certificate (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Virginia Beach, VA 23462 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Virginia Beach, VA 23462: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person