Legal Assistant

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Buffalo, New York

March 2026

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 125 lawyers, we offer the depth and breadth of legal talent and experience necessary to achieve exceptional results for our local, regional, and national clients.

We are seeking a Legal Assistant to join a dynamic team in our Buffalo Office that provides legal administrative support to assigned attorneys in the firm’s Litigation and Corporate practice groups. 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.

Job Responsibilities:

Provides comprehensive support for all aspects of the general Litigation and Corporate practices
Assists in the preparation of correspondence, memoranda, pleadings, motions, discovery requests and responses, and other legal documents for matters venued in state and federal courts; aids with discovery related requests and responses in conjunction with document production and review
Assists with electronic court filings as directed in both state and federal courts
Calendars deadlines and court dates, assists with the coordination of depositions, meetings and travel arrangements
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 and track project budgets
Drafts legal documents, forms, applications, supplemental materials and correspondence for attorney review; tracks versions of legal documents
Compiles materials and prepares closing binders, indexing files and organizing exhibits
Coordinates incoming and outgoing wires
Responsible for project coordination, including input and maintenance of client matters and client file logs and notification of deadlines
Generates monthly reports and updates projects with information gathered from attorneys
Performs general administrative tasks including entering time, general calendar management, expense reimbursements, and mailing

Education and Experience Requirements

Three plus years of litigation legal assistant experience preferred, associate’s degree (Business or related field) highly desired. BA or BS is a plus
Knowledge of Litigation/Corporate practice area’s including procedures, forms, and terminology is desirable
Ability to work effectively with a variety of clients and staff; proven ability to provide exceptional client service
Strong organization skills: ability to response to multiple priorities and plan work to meet varying deadlines
Experience with E-Discovery systems including TrustPoint is a plus
Skill in proofreading lengthy and complex legal documents for grammatical, typographical and spelling errors, and for general accuracy and completeness
Strong writing skills, including proper spelling and correct grammar; accuracy; attention to detail and figures
Demonstrates competency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook); ability to utilize document management software efficiently
Knowledge of standard legal file organization practices

Working Conditions:

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

Recruiting Information:

FSLA Classification: Non-Exempt (Hourly)
Hours per week: 37.5
Annual Salary Range: $25- $30 per hour
Excellent benefit package

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.

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.

Legal Assistant

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