Legal Assistant

Peak Performers; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 39,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

403(b) retirement plan

Weekly direct deposit

Disability priority placement

Job summary

Peak Performers is seeking a paralegal for a year-long assignment in downtown Buffalo, NY. The role supports attorneys and investigators, handling subpoenas, file management, and legal research in a fast-paced public-sector environment.

You should have at least three years of legal experience or a paralegal degree, strong research and writing skills, and proficiency with Word and Excel. Onsite with potential for partial telecommuting after training.

Qualifications

• At least three years of legal or paralegal experience, or a paralegal degree.
• Previous legal research experience.
• Ability to independently research and analyze information from public and first-source records.
• Experience preparing, organizing, and maintaining legal or case-related documentation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organization, attention to detail, and follow-through.
• Ability to manage multiple cases, deadlines, and competing priorities.
• Sound judgment when handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and significant experience using Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a legal team.

Responsibilities

• Draftlegal documents, subpoenas, and correspondence for attorney or investigator review, and coordinate subpoena service.
• Compile, organize, and maintain physical and digital case files, exhibits, hearing records, and supporting materials.
• Assist attorneys and investigators with hearing prep, preparing necessary materials, and filing legal memoranda and court documents.
• Conduct substantive research using public, real property, and Department of State records; analyze findings and prepare clear verbal and written summaries.
• Maintain case calendars, tracking databases, dockets, deadlines, case statuses, and final decisions.
• Coordinate professionally with external and internal stakeholders—including court reporters and respondents—while providing confidential support to the General Counsel and senior legal leaders.

Skills

Legal research

Communication skills

Organization

Attention to detail

Follow-through

Time management

Education

Paralegal degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

This role is based in downtown Buffalo near the Washington Street and South Division Street corridor. The office is close to Lafayette Square and the central business district, with nearby NFTA bus service and Metro Rail access.

Parking is not provided at the worksite. Candidates who drive should be comfortable arranging and paying for their own downtown parking.

The Team You Will Be Joining

Join the legal team of a New York State agency that helps oversee and regulate New York’s legal cannabis industry. This is an opportunity to provide meaningful legal and administrative support in a fast-paced public-sector environment where accuracy, discretion, research, and strong organization matter.

What You Will Do

• Draftlegal documents, subpoenas, and correspondence for attorney or investigator review, and coordinate subpoena service.
• Compile, organize, and maintain physical and digital case files, exhibits, hearing records, and supporting materials.
• Assist attorneys and investigators with hearing prep, preparing necessary materials, and filing legal memoranda and court documents.
• Conduct substantive research using public, real property, and Department of State records; analyze findings and prepare clear verbal and written summaries.
• Maintain case calendars, tracking databases, dockets, deadlines, case statuses, and final decisions.
• Coordinate professionally with external and internal stakeholders—including court reporters and respondents—while providing confidential support to the General Counsel and senior legal leaders.

The Peak Performers Difference

• Qualified applicants with chronic medical conditions and/or disabilities receive priority placement.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage available from the first day of the month following 60 days of employment.
• Our employees may participate in a 403(b)-retirement plan.
• We pay weekly through direct deposit.
• In business since 1994 and thousands of job placements.

What We Are Looking For

• At least three years of legal or paralegal experience, or a paralegal degree.
• Previous legal research experience.
• Ability to independently research and analyze information from public and first-source records.
• Experience preparing, organizing, and maintaining legal or case-related documentation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organization, attention to detail, and follow-through.
• Ability to manage multiple cases, deadlines, and competing priorities.
• Sound judgment when handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and significant experience using Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a legal team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting attorneys, investigators, litigation, hearings, or other legal proceedings.
• Experience preparing subpoenas or other legal documents.
• Familiarity with New York State records, filings, or government processes.
• Previous experience in government, regulatory, compliance, or a similar environment.

Exciting Opportunity Details

• Pay:$32.00 per hour
• Schedule:Monday-Friday, 37.5 hours per week, with flexible scheduling between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM
• Assignment Length:One year, with potential to extend up to two years
• Work Arrangement:Onsite initially; potential for up to 50% telecommuting after successful training and with supervisory approval
• Location:Downtown Buffalo, NY (14203), near Washington Street and South Division Street

Applicants for employment with Peak Performers must possess work authorization that does not require sponsorship for a visa now or in the future.

Peak Performers is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applicants without regard to race, marital status, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. Peak Performers does not accept unsolicited resumes from headhunters, recruitment agencies or fee-based recruitment services.