Legal Assistant

City of Keene; NH; Keene (NH); On-site; USD 44,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

State NH Group I retirement

Life insurance

Disability

Tuition assistance

Paid time off

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Job summary

City of Keene seeks a Legal Assistant to provide essential administrative, legal, and operational support to the City Attorney and Deputy City Attorney. You will prepare legal documents, manage litigation, conduct basic research, and support a wide variety of matters affecting the City.

Requirements include an associate's degree in office management or paralegal studies, 5 years in NH legal field, and notary public certification.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in office management or paralegal studies with 5+ years in NH legal field or equivalent.
• Notary public certification is required; employees not certified will complete upon hire.
• Experience handling confidential legal records and high-volume filing is essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide confidential administrative, legal, and clerical support to the City Attorney and Deputy City Attorney.
• Prepare, review, and file legal documents including pleadings, deeds, leases, ordinances, contracts, and correspondence.
• Manage litigation files by tracking court dates, deadlines, hearings, and case activity.
• Conduct legal research and prepare basic pleadings and supporting materials.
• Assist with discovery responses, subpoenas, interrogatories, and bankruptcy claims.
• Perform real estate title research, close real estate documents, attend closings, and record documents.
• Prepare certified records for court filings and support appeals.
• Initiate and manage Small Claims actions and attend court appearances.
• Research corporate filings and prepare UCC statements.
• Support land use, planning, zoning, and public works matters requiring legal review.
• Coordinate and prepare responses to Right-to-Know requests with redactions.

Skills

Legal support

Clerical accuracy

Calendar management

Public records requests

Education

Associate's degree in office management or paralegal studies

Job description

The City of Keene is seeking a Legal Assistant to provide essential administrative, legal, and operational support to the City Attorney and Deputy City Attorney. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys meaningful work, values public service, and wants to play a key role in supporting municipal government.

As the Legal Assistant, you will help ensure the efficient operation of the City Attorney's Office by preparing legal documents, managing litigation files, conducting legal research, coordinating with City departments, and supporting a wide variety of legal matters affecting the City. This position requires professionalism, discretion, sound judgment, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

What You'll Do:

• Provide confidential administrative, legal, and clerical support to the City Attorney and Deputy City Attorney.
• Prepare, review, and file legal documents, including pleadings, agreements, deeds, leases, ordinances, contracts, and correspondence.
• Manage litigation files by tracking court dates, filing deadlines, hearings, and related case activities.
• Conduct legal research and prepare basic pleadings and supporting legal materials.
• Assist with discovery responses, subpoenas, interrogatories, and bankruptcy claims.
• Perform real estate title research, prepare closing documents, attend real estate closings, and record legal documents.
• Prepare certified records for court filings and support appeals before the Superior and Supreme Courts.
• Initiate and manage Small Claims actions on behalf of the City, including court appearances.
• Research corporate filings and prepare Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) statements.
• Support land use, planning, zoning, and public works matters requiring legal review.
• Assist City departments with legal processes and respond to legal questions under attorney supervision.
• Coordinate and prepare responses to Right-to-Know (public records) requests, including gathering records and performing required redactions across paper and electronic formats.
• Draft City Council submissions and other official reports, memoranda, resolutions, and legal correspondence.
• Maintain legal files, records, archives, and the office legal library.
• Manage calendars, schedule appointments, answer incoming calls, and serve as a professional point of contact for courts, agencies, attorneys, and the public.
• Assist with departmental budgeting, invoice processing, purchasing office supplies, and general office administration.

Our Community

Keene is an energetic community that provides services, programs, and resources for a much greater population than the residents of the city alone. Although the conveniences and attractions of large metropolitan areas are close at hand, the community maintains a solidly residential working-class character, complemented by an idyllic, rural landscape. The heart of the community is its vibrant and historic, downtown core. Keene has cultivated a lasting spirit of place, built on a foundation of the past and a clear vision of the future.

Minimum Qualifications

An associate's degree in office management and/or paralegal studies or related fields, plus at least 5 years of related experience including experience working in the New Hampshire legal field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A notary public certification is required. Employees who are not currently certified will complete the application process upon hire.

Pay and Benefits

This full-time position offers a competitive pay range of $31.94- $39.80 per hour and will also receive an attractive benefits package.

• Low deductible/low-cost health insurance
• Low-cost dental insurance
• State of NH Group I retirement
• Life insurance
• Disability
• Tuition assistance
• Paid time off
• Municipal employees may also qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

The City is committed to supporting employee development and strives to provide opportunities for increased responsibility and career advancement within our organization.

The City of Keene is an Equal Opportunity Employer.