Legal Executive Assistant

Job Summary

Gibson Dunn is a leading global law firm, advising clients on significant transactions and disputes. Our exceptional teams craft and deploy creative legal strategies that are meticulously tailored to every matter, however complex or high-stakes. The firm’s work is distinguished by a unique combination of precision and vision.

Based in Palo Alto, the Legal Executive Assistant will provide high-level executive support to assigned partners and Of Counsels, as part of a team-based support structure within our Legal Administrative Services Department, including dedicated support to the Partner-in-Charge. This role requires a highly capable and resourceful professional who can manage sophisticated executive functions, anticipate needs, exercise sound judgment, and operate with discretion in a fast-paced, high-visibility environment.

This role reports to the Manager, Legal Administrative Services – West, taking daily direction from their assigned partners.

Responsibilities include:

• Providing executive support as part of a team of Legal Executive Assistants to a group of partners and Of Counsels, including dedicated support to the Partner-in-Charge.
• Collaborating closely with assigned partners to manage day-to-day coordination of their practices, including proactive and strategic calendaring, anticipating scheduling conflicts, ensuring appropriate spacing between meetings, and independently identifying solutions to logistical and workflow challenges.
• Serving as a central point of contact across offices and departments, facilitating communication and coordination among attorneys, clients, administrative departments, and firm leadership.
• Managing a broad range of complex executive-level administrative duties, including scheduling meetings, preparing reports and materials, performing accurate and detailed time entry with careful review prior to release, editing documents, responding to correspondence, assisting with technology-related needs, and processing a high volume of detailed expense reports (including frequent international travel and foreign currency transactions).
• Organizing high-volume, complex domestic and international travel arrangements, including detailed itineraries, multi-leg travel, and frequent changes, ensuring seamless execution and responsiveness.
• Managing client onboarding, billing, and relationship management activities with professionalism and discretion.
• Supporting special projects and firm initiatives for the Partner-in-Charge, including coordination of firm events with charitable contribution components, managing attendee lists, preparing and processing donations, securing required approvals (including CFO approval), managing related communications, and submitting associated expense entries.
• Providing back-up support to peers and collaborating effectively within a team-based support structure.

Qualifications

• Attention to detail in composing, typing, and proofing materials, establishing priorities and meeting deadlines.
• Demonstrated experience providing executive-level support in a fast-paced professional services environment.
• Exceptional problem-solving skills, with the ability to anticipate needs, identify solutions proactively, and exercise independent judgment.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a collaborative, team-oriented approach and the ability to build effective working relationships across offices and departments.
• Professional presence with strong verbal and written communication skills; comfortable interacting with a wide range of individuals, including attorneys, clients, and firm leadership.
• High degree of technological proficiency, including advanced Microsoft Office skills and the ability to leverage emerging technologies and AI tools to improve efficiency and workflow.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple competing priorities with discretion and sound judgment.
• High level of integrity and discretion in handling confidential information.
• Self-starter who demonstrates initiative and adaptability in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to work overtime as necessary.

Experience

• Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent relevant work experience.
• A minimum of 5 years of executive-level administrative support experience required, ideally in a law firm, corporate, or other professional services environment.
• Experience supporting senior executives, partners, or leadership-level professionals in a fast-paced setting is strongly preferred.
• Prior litigation experience or familiarity with litigation practices is helpful but not required.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and able to quickly learn and utilize industry-specific applications and emerging technology platforms.

Gibson Dunn will consider for employment qualified Applicants with Criminal Histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of local law.

Compensation & Benefits:

The annual compensation range for this position is $120-135k. The salary offered within this range will depend upon qualifications and other operational considerations.

Benefits offered for this position include health care; retirement benefits; paid days off, including sick time, and vacation time; parental leave; basic life insurance; Flexible Spending Accounts; as well as discretionary, performance-based bonuses.

Location:

Palo Alto

EEO Statement

Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity for all partners, employees and applicants and, in accordance with the applicable federal and state laws, does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, color, religion, matriculation or political affiliation, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, ancestry, age, marital status or partnership status, family responsibilities, disability, medical condition, personal appearance, genetic information, predisposing genetic characteristics, sexual orientation, military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking and sex offenses, arrest or conviction record, or on any other basis prohibited by law.