Legal Practice Assistant (formerly Legal Secretary)

The Opportunity

Position Summary: The Legal Practice Assistant provides comprehensive administrative and practice support to attorneys in the Land Use Department. The role requires strong document-production, organizational, communication, and follow-through skills, as well as the ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain accurate client, matter, contact, scheduling, and business-development records. This role is hybrid in NYC.

Key Responsibilities

Administrative and Practice Support

• Schedule meetings, register visitors, and reserve conference rooms.
• Draft, create, format, and proofread memoranda, letters, and other documents.
• Prepare document comparisons and redlines using tracked changes, and maintain accurate document versions.
• Create PDFs and combine multiple documents into a single, organized PDF.
• Enter attorney time and prepare expense reimbursement submissions.
• Prepare FedEx and hand-delivery packages and coordinate outgoing materials.
• Maintain electronic and records-management filing systems.
• Assist with proforma organization, business-development tracking, mailbox cleanup, and printing.

Business Development and Charitable Events

• Research prior-year commitments and prepare internal approval requests for proposed commitment amounts.
• Communicate with event coordinators to confirm commitments and obtain invoices.
• Submit check requests and track payments and related documentation.
• Coordinate with Marketing on advertisements and delivery of firm logos or other event materials.
• Circulate event opportunities within the department, coordinate attendance, and provide final guest lists to event organizers.

Client and Matter Administration

• Maintain and update department retainer-letter templates, including annual billing-rate ranges obtained from the appropriate internal source.
• Prepare retainer letters and client/matter intake materials.
• Maintain tracking logs and follow up to obtain signed engagement letters and confirm that new matters are opened.
• Maintain accurate client and matter lists and coordinate the transfer of files to Records when needed.

Contacts, Calendars, and Department Coordination

• Maintain Land Use contact information and ensure updates are reflected in the firm’s contact-management systems.
• Tag appropriate Land Use attorneys, add relevant notes, and remove outdated entries from department contact lists as applicable.
• Download and circulate the City Planning Commission agenda and calendar on a bimonthly basis.
• Maintain and circulate department summer-vacation and holiday schedules.

Qualifications and Core Competencies

· Prior experience providing administrative or legal practice support in a law firm or professional-services environment.

· Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Word, Outlook, Adobe Acrobat, document comparison, and PDF assembly.

· Strong proofreading, formatting, written communication, and records-management skills.

· Excellent organization, attention to detail, judgment, discretion, and ability to manage competing deadlines.

· Demonstrated ability to communicate professionally with attorneys, internal departments, clients, vendors, and event contacts.

· Ability to work independently, anticipate needs, maintain accurate follow-up systems, and collaborate effectively as part of a team.

Salary Range - $100,000 – $115,000

Team

Real EstateFull time

Location

New York

Contract type

Permanent Contract

We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is an equal opportunity employer. The firm is committed to creating and maintaining a workplace in which all employees have an opportunity to participate and contribute to the success of the business and are valued for their skills, experience, and unique perspectives. The firm does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, veteran status, mental or physical handicap or disability, age, citizenship status, alienage, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression or any other criteria prohibited under applicable federal, state or local law.

About Us

At Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, we align your growth and ambition with ours. We invest in your personal and professional growth and support you to achieve your ambitions. And you share responsibility for playing a part in delivering the firm’s growth and ambition too.

A leading global law firm, with over 6,000 people, we are in the world's largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs. We’re recognised leaders in demanding contentious matters, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private transactions.

We’re immersed in the many challenges facing our clients. We’re invested and resourceful. We understand the part technology and digitalisation play in the delivery of legal services. We want to make a positive impact wherever in the world we operate. You’ll have the opportunity to engage with this with an open mind and curiosity.

We are known for our diverse perspectives and renowned for our culture. Being human, bold and outstanding are more than our values: you’ll discover they are our lived experience. And by being ambitious for your growth and ours, we’ll achieve our goals together.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer: Your growth. Our ambition.