Assistant Managing Attorney

Herbert Smith Freehills; New York (NY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Herbert Smith Freehills in New York seeks an Assistant Managing Attorney to oversee legal compliance, risk management, and court/agency operations across U.S. departments. The AMA works with the Managing Attorney to guide procedural strategy and ensure timely filing.

The role requires a U.S. bar admission, a J.D. from an ABA-accredited school, 2–5 years of relevant experience, and strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills. Hybrid work arrangement in a permanent contract.

Qualifications

• A J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school is required, and current New York bar admission.
• 2–5 years of relevant experience in a law firm or legal environment, preferably supporting managing attorney functions.
• Familiarity with federal, state and local court systems (including e-filing) and procedural rules.
• Strong docketing, calendaring, and organizational abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including clear, concise drafting.

Responsibilities

• Oversee legal compliance, risk management, court and agency operations across the firm.
• Coordinate and manage legal support initiatives and workflows within the Managing Attorney’s Office.
• Provide coverage for the Managing Attorney to maintain continuity across core legal and administrative functions.

Skills

Attention to detail

Verbal communication

Written communication

Organizational skills

Leadership

Education

J.D. from ABA-accredited law school

New York Bar Admission

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

CourtAlert

Pacer/ NYSCEF

Job description

The Opportunity

Title Assistant Managing Attorney

Contract Type: Permanent, Exempt, Hybrid

Location: New York

Reporting To: Managing Attorney (US)

Key Internal Relationships

Fee-earners, Partners, Paralegals, Business Services, In House Counsel

The Role

Working alongside the Managing Attorney, the Assistant Managing Attorney (AMA) provides critical legal compliance, risk management, court and agency operations, and strategic procedural guidance across all U.S. departments, including Litigation, Employment, Land Use/Environmental, IP, Bankruptcy, Business Immigration, Corporate, and Real Estate.

Key Responsibilities

The principal responsibilities will include the following:

Assistant Managing Attorney

• The Assistant Managing Attorney works closely with the Managing Attorney to oversee legal compliance, risk management, court and agency operations, and procedural oversight across the firm.
• Coordinate and manage legal support initiatives, operational workflows, and related projects within the Managing Attorney’s Office.
• Provide operational coverage for the Managing Attorney to maintain continuity across core legal and administrative functions during periods of absence or unavailability.

Legal Guidance and Procedural Compliance

• Provide guidance and legal analysis to attorneys and paralegals on complex procedural and strategic issues in state and federal courts.
• Interpret and apply statutes, court rules, and procedural requirements governing litigation practice.
• Advise on filing strategies, motion practice, and compliance with court and agency requirements.
• Research and resolve complex procedural issues across multiple jurisdictions.
• Review filings for accuracy, form, and procedural compliance.
• Ensure adherence to court rules and deadlines, mitigating procedural and regulatory risk.
• Apply court rules efficiently and consistently across jurisdictions.

Court and Agency Filing Operations

• Oversee electronic filings, service of process, and the delivery of filings to courts and government agencies.
• Oversee filing functions and ensure high-quality execution of court and agency submissions.
• Coordinate and manage relationships with external vendors, including process servers, court runners, messenger services, and electronic filing providers, ensuring timely, accurate, and cost-effective support of case and court filing needs.

Team Supervision and Leadership

• Supervise and mentor support staff within the Managing Attorney’s Office.
• Support the Managing Attorney in onboarding new attorneys by providing training and guidance on firm procedures, court rules, docketing protocols, and jurisdictional requirements to ensure compliance and consistency across matters.

Legal Operations and Process Improvement

• Support departmental restructuring initiatives aimed at improving operational efficiency and reducing costs.
• Streamline workflows and redistribute responsibilities to optimize performance across the team.
• Identify and implement process improvements across docketing, filing, and compliance functions.

Bar Admission and Regulatory Compliance

• Manage and oversee pro hac vice admissions, including preparation, submission, and tracking of applications, and coordination with outside counsel and courts, in alignment with firm and jurisdictional requirements.
• Mitigate risks related to unauthorized practice of law or regulatory non-compliance.
• Provide guidance and support to attorneys, particularly those based outside the U.S., regarding U.S. admission requirements.

Skills / Qualifications

• A J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school is required, as well as current bar admission in the State of New York.
• At least 2–5 years of relevant experience in a law firm or legal environment, preferably supporting managing attorney or managing clerk functions.
• Candidates transitioning from practicing law into a managing attorney or legal operations role are encouraged to apply.
• Must have familiarity with federal, state and local court systems (including e-filing) and procedural rules.
• In-depth understanding of the docketing and calendaring process.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and CourtAlert, as well as Pacer, NYSCEF and other similar court efiling/document retrieval systems.
• Flexibility to work outside of normal working hours when needed.
• Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to work concurrently on a variety of projects with changing priorities.
• Exercise good judgment and follow through on assigned tasks.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including communications that are clear and concise, use proper grammar and appropriate vocabulary.
• Ability to maintain stable performance under pressure with continually changing priorities; ability to integrate special assignments or projects into workflow.
• Meticulous attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Excellent judgment demonstrated by the ability to make appropriate decisions in high pressure situations.
• Client and business focus: Responds positively to internal and external client demands.
• Problem solving: analyzes information to fully understand the key issues and solutions.
• Adaptability and flexibility: proactively communicates a positive message to others during times of change.

Competencies

Personal Leadership

• Positively impacts those around them, makes quality decisions and develops themselves both personally and professionally.
• Demonstrates sound knowledge in their field.
• Anticipates potential problems and identifies a range of possible solutions.
• Adapts their interpersonal style to suit different audiences in a genuine way.

Builds Authentic Relationships

• Takes time to get to know people beyond their role.
• Treats people with respect and in a fair and consistent way.
• Recognizes when colleagues are under pressure and volunteers to assist them where possible.

Collaborates with others

• Works within teams and across boundaries to share knowledge and achieve results.
• Identifies and builds relationships required to achieve the best outcomes for the firm.
• Engages people with the right skills, knowledge and expertise to provide advice and assist with tasks.
• Connects other people in the firm who have mutual interests or work objectives.
• Generously shares their time, knowledge, expertise and talent to support others’ success.

Enhances the Client Experience

• Creates opportunities to enhance the experience of the firm’s clients through their daily tasks.
• Behaves consistently with the firm’s values in their interactions with others.
• Conducts themselves in a way that reflects positively on the firm’s brand, both inside and outside the firm.

Achieves Results

• Maintains focus and drive to achieve quality outcomes.
• Focuses their time and efforts on issues that will have the greatest impact on agreed objectives.
• Anticipates responses and plans their approach accordingly.
• Looks for the most effective way to achieve outcomes.
• Maintains perspective and optimism when faced with setbacks.

Compensation

Exact compensation may vary based on skills and experience and the salary range is $180,000 - $200,000.

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.

Team

Corporate Services

Working Pattern

Full 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.