Find & Apply For Legal Secretary Jobs in Palo Alto, California

Wilson Sonsini is the premier legal advisor to technology, life sciences, and other growth enterprises worldwide. We represent companies at every stage of development, from entrepreneurial start-ups to multibillion-dollar global corporations, as well as the venture firms, private equity firms, and investment banks that finance and advise them. The firm has approximately 1,100 attorneys in 17 offices: 13 in the U.S., two in China, and two in Europe. Our broad spectrum of practices and entrepreneurial spirit allow exceptional opportunities for professional achievement and career growth. The Firm is seeking a Senior Filing Specialist to join the litigation department's Office of the Clerk, an administrative support team built in 2022 which has steadily grown since its inception. The team functions as a critical component of the firm's litigation department - this is an opportunity to be a senior contributor as the team continues to evolve. Reporting directly to the Office of the Clerk's Managing Attorney, you'll play a central role in supporting attorneys and litigation case teams across the firm by driving e-Filings with courts and tribunals nationwide. Your work will span federal and state trial and appellate courts, ADR bodies, the TTAB, and more, with a strong focus on e-Filing, alongside the occasional traditional hard-copy submissions. You'll also help shape best practices by training colleagues across the team and department on e-Filing, docketing and broader administrative processes. This role suits someone who thrives on variety, is deadline driven, and recognizes and appreciates strong communication. Given the nature of litigation filings, evening work and associated overtime should be expected. This position is available as a hybrid work arrangement and standard business hours apply, though candidates open to a later work shift (e.g. 11:00am-8:00pm Pacific) are strongly encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities:

The responsibilities of the role include, but are not limited to, working under the direction and supervision of the Managing Attorney and case teams to complete the following: e-Filing litigation documents, and coordinating traditional hard-copy filings as needed, across a wide range of domestic tribunals and administrative agencies, e.g., federal district and appellate courts, state trial and appellate courts, ADR bodies, TTAB, and more e-Filing complex litigation filing events, including, for example: filings with voluminous documents and exhibits, motions to seal and accompanying confidential materials filed provisionally under seal, ex parte submissions, filings performed on an expedited or emergency basis (e.g., TROs), new case initiation filings (e.g., new federal and state complaints, federal miscellaneous cases, etc.), and more;. Reviewing litigation documents for compliance with administrative document e-Filing & formatting requirements, providing feedback to attorneys re the same Independently reviewing and understanding administrative filing requirements and procedures, and any associated electronic court filing systems, for new jurisdictions or courts as the demand arises, providing feedback to attorneys re the same Effectuating service and coordinating service of process and preparation and delivery of chambers' copies; liaison between attorneys and court clerks for reserving hearings or court administrative tasks Collaborating with Managing Attorney to develop and continuously improve internal docketing and administrative filing processes and procedures Training and serving as a resource for others in the Office of the Clerk and department-wide on e-Filing mechanics and process, administrative document standards & formatting, and internal docketing processes The ability to commute to a domestic firm office on an as-needed basis to assist with service, chambers copies, and more Monitoring Office of the Clerk intake, assist maintaining Office of the Clerk calendar, and providing responsive coverage to meet attorneys' filing demands Assist attorneys in establishing and maintaining e-Filing credentials (as needed); maintain the firm's centralized system for participating attorney e-Filing credentials

Job Requirements:

10+ years of litigation E-filing experience in a wide range of domestic tribunals - e.g., federal district and appellate courts throughout the United States; ADR tribunals; California trial and appellate courts; and additional state court electronic filing systems Strong working knowledge of applicable administrative requirements relating to e-Filing and document standards among the various courts and tribunals in which the firm commonly litigates Independent research and preparation regarding administrative requirements related to specific e-Filing events Significant experience e-Filing and performing related administrative tasks for complex litigation filings, including for example, voluminous filings with extensive exhibits, motions to seal, materials filed provisionally under seal or confidentially, ex parte filings, TROs, and case initiating tasks (new complaints, miscellaneous cases, etc.) Experience filing pre-trial and trial documents (during an active trial) Strong familiarity with electronic filing platforms across a wide range of courts including, at a minimum, NextGen CM/ECF, PACER, California EFSPs, additional electronic filing platforms Experience with internal docketing processes and tools (e.g., NetDocs, Pleadings Index Database) Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Excel, Word) and Kofax Power PDF, or similar PDF software Preferred bachelor's degree or equivalent The primary location for this job posting is in Palo Alto, but other locations may be listed. The actual base pay offered will depend upon a variety of factors, including but not limited to the selected candidate's qualifications, years of relevant experience, level of education, professional certifications and licenses, and work location. The anticipated pay range for this position is as follows:

Palo Alto, San Francisco:

$56.31 - $76.19 per hour.

Century City, Los Angeles, San Diego:

$53.50 - $72.38 per hour. The compensation for this position may include overtime and a discretionary year-end merit bonus based on performance. We offer a highly competitive salary and benefits package. Benefits information can be found here. Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). careers.wsgr.com Wilson Sonsini is the premier legal advisor to technology, life sciences, and growth enterprises worldwide, as well as the venture firms, private equity firms, and investment banks that finance them. We represent more than 300 public enterprises and 3,000 private companies in a wide range of today's cutting-edge industries, from AI and fintech to life sciences and mobility. For more than 60 years, our attorneys and professional staff have created a unique working environment. With deep roots in the fast-paced and innovative world of Silicon Valley, the firm fosters an entrepreneurial spirit and team-oriented approach for all employees, providing professional and personal development opportunities and encouraging all departments to promote a stable and optimal work/life balance. Wilson Sonsini is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce globally. We have built a culture in which employees of all backgrounds, viewpoints, and experiences are encouraged and empowered to achieve their maximum potential. Our firm is consistently recognized among the top law firms in annual diversity rankings. For example, Wilson Sonsini ranked No. 2 among firms with more than 601 attorneys in Law360's 2025 Diversity Snapshot. Additionally, in 2025, for the seventh consecutive year, Wilson Sonsini achieved Mansfield Plus Certification, and in 2026, for the sixth consecutive year, the firm achieved a top score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Corporate Equality Index. We are also dedicated to enhancing the communities in which we live and work by providing legal services, financial support, and volunteer services to worthy agencies and individuals in need. In 2025, Wilson Sonsini attorneys and staff provided more than 80,500 pro bono hours, participated in 125 community service projects, and raised over $130,000 for charitable organizations and causes. In addition, the Wilson Sonsini Foundation contributed more than $2.35 million to 112 law-related organizations and 129 community organizations in 2025. Wilson Sonsini has 17 offices in 16 technology and business hubs worldwide. Austin, TX Boston, MA Boulder, CO Brussels, Belgium Century City, CA Hong Kong London Los Angeles, CA New York, NY Palo Alto, CA Salt Lake City, UT San Diego, CA San Francisco, CA Seattle, WA Shanghai (China) Washington, D.C. Wilmington, DE