Legal Assistant supporting Corporate, Health Care, Higher Education and Human Services practice groups

Albany, NY

Harter Secrest & Emery is a full-service law firm founded in 1894, with offices in Rochester, Buffalo, Albany, Corning, and New York City. With over 120 lawyers, we offer the depth and breadth of legal talent and experience necessary to achieve exceptional results for our local, regional, and national clients. 

General Statement of Duties: Provides legal administrative support for assigned attorneys in accordance with established firm policies and procedures. Responsibilities involve significant contact with clients, external attorneys, and legal staff within the firm. Confidentiality in the handling of client matters is critical in the performance of duties.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

•Prepares legal documents, forms, applications, supplemental materials and correspondence for attorney review.

•Interfaces with clients through various forms of communication; responds to client inquiries when appropriate.

•Opens new client matters; prepares Engagement letters, interacts with finance department to assist with client billing.

•Prepares closing books.

•Assist with billing procedures.

•Performs general administrative tasks including entering time, calendar management, expense reimbursements, mailings, and travel arrangements.

•Assist with special projects, as required.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

•Demonstrates a high level of attention to detail, accurate with client information.

•Professional demeanor; sensitivity to confidentiality standards within the legal environment. 

•Demonstrates the ability to work effectively with a variety of staff and clients in a deadline driven environment.

•Strong organizational skills: ability to respond to multiple priorities and plan work to meet varying deadlines.

•Strong verbal and written communication skills.

•Professional demeanor and strong interpersonal and client service skills; ability to work effectively with attorneys and staff; ability to work collaboratively with other practice group members.

•Ability to work effectively with a variety of clients and staff; proven ability to provide exceptional client service.

•Ability to proofread and check typed material for grammatical, typographical, spelling, word usage and format errors. Strong writing skills, including proper spelling and correct grammar; accuracy; attention to details and figures.

•Proven proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Education and Experience Requirements:

•Associate or Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred

•Two years of legal assistant experience preferred, prior experience in a law firm preferred.

•Knowledge of Corporate, Healthcare, Human Services practice areas including procedures, forms, and terminology desirable.

Position Status: Non-Exempt (hourly)

Working Conditions:

•Normal office environment with little exposure to excessive noise, dust, temperature, and other variable conditions

•Ability to lift and retrieve materials up to approximately twenty (10 - 15) pounds per item

•Work occasionally requires more than 37.5 hours per week to perform the essential duties of the position

•Ability to work remote one day per week 

This description is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for performance in this position. It is not to be interpreted as an exhaustive description of essential functions, responsibilities, and requirements.

FLSA classification: Hourly

Salary Range: $25 to $29 per hour

HARTER SECREST & EMERY LLP IS COMMITTED TO THE POLICY OF EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY. THIS POLICY EXPRESSLY PROHIBITS DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEX, RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, CREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE, MARITAL STATUS, FAMILY STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, DISABILITY, GENETIC PREDISPOSITION OR CARRIER STATUS, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIM STATUS, CRIMINAL CONVICTION, VETERAN STATUS OR STATUS AS A MEMBER OF ANY OTHER PROTECTED GROUP OR ACTIVITY.