Senior 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.

The Senior Legal Executive Assistant provides execution-focused, high-level administrative and practice support, and is responsible for implementing and operationalizing strategic priorities established by the partner. This role will work closely with practice management, the office of general counsel, and other teams and, at times, provide additional support on broader projects as needed. This role translates practice strategy into day-to-day action, ensuring coordination, follow-through, and timely delivery across administrative, client, and practice-support functions. The nature of the position is one that will handle confidential information and requires the highest level of integrity and discretion by the individual.

Based in Washington, D.C., the Senior Legal Executive Assistant will support a senior partner, global practice leader, office of the general counsel, and operations of the broader Labor and Employment practice. While this is a one-on-one support relationship, this position will work closely with other departments across the firm.

This position reports to the Washington, D.C. Office Manager of Legal Administrative Services and works under the day-to-day direction of a partner who also serves as Practice Group Leader and General Counsel. The role collaborates closely with the Head of Practice Administration for Labor & Employment and the Office of General Counsel.

Responsibilities include:

Partner Support & Practice Coordination

• Manage the Practice Group Leader’s operations, with a demonstrated ability to move beyond the transactional (calendar management, expenses, travel) to focus on the strategic. For example, actively managing the partner’s email inbox, strategic business travel planning including recommending meetings with clients/contacts, and collaborating with finance and designated partners on client matter management.
• Collaborate closely with the Head of Practice Administration and members of the Office of General Counsel to effectively manage the day-to-day coordination of the partner’s practice and role as Practice Group Leader and General Counsel.
• Provide real-time operational feedback to the Head of Practice Administration to inform ongoing practice planning and refinement.
• Liaise regularly with other firm departments to ensure the smooth operation of the Practice Group Leader and broader practice group’s business.

Administrative & Operational Support

• Manage a broad range of complex administrative duties, such as scheduling meetings, preparing reports and meeting materials, furnishing information, responding to routine correspondence, assisting with technical support, processing expense reports, and answering telephone calls.
• Maintain files and confidential documents, ensuring compliance with our records retention policy.
• Organize complex domestic/international travel arrangements, with detailed itineraries both personal and professional. Coordinate flights, hotel accommodations, car service, visas, dining reservations, etc.
• Assist and support the creation of internal and external presentations including but not limited to client presentations and department report-outs.

Client Onboarding, Billing & Relationship Management

• Execute and manage client onboarding, billing, and relationship management activities for the Practice Group Leader, escalating insights, risks, or improvement opportunities to the Head of Practice Administration as appropriate. Monitor and organize efforts to deepen relationships with key clients.
• Plan, coordinate, and support client entertainment and development activities aligned with broader practice and client strategies, including high-end client engagements.

Business Development & Client Initiatives

• Assist with tracking, analyzing, and reporting on practice-specific data (pitches, targets, client outreach, staffing) to inform business development and growth strategies.
• Coordinate client pursuit teams, cross-selling efforts, and relationship-expansion initiatives.
• Track and coordinate client appreciation programs, thought leadership campaigns, strategic sponsorships, and related outreach efforts.

Internal & External Programming Support

• Support internal and external firm programming with clients and community organizations.
• Coordinate meetings, events, and related research or information gathering in support of client and firm initiatives.
• Serve as a liaison with firm departments and external stakeholders to plan and execute projects and events.

Qualifications

• High level of integrity and discretion in handling confidential information.
• Continual attention to detail in composing, typing, and proofing materials, establishing priorities and meeting deadlines.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication and people skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders and clients.
• Collaboration and facilitation skills to work with various departments and facilitate their ability to work with each other.
• Exhibit high degree of initiative and critical-thinking skills in exercising independent judgment and making decisions in managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven, detail-oriented work environment.
• High level of adaptability and flexibility.
• Self-starter with demonstrated instances of taking initiative.
• Creative thinker who is resourceful and anticipatory of the needs of their assignments.
• Ability to work overtime as necessary.

Experience

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience supporting partners in leadership roles or c-suite executives in financial and/or professional services required.
• Experience working with litigation and/or general counsel partners or teams preferred.
• Highly skilled in Microsoft Office Suite and ability to quickly learn and utilize industry specific computer applications.

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

Compensation & Benefits:

Location:

Washington, D.C.

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.