Legal Assistant

Vermont Law and Graduate School; Town of Bainbridge (NY); On-site; USD 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP is seeking a dependable Legal Assistant for our Bainbridge, NY office. This full-time, in-office role focuses on supporting attorneys and paralegals, managing client communications and day-to-day administrative tasks, and ensuring confidentiality and professionalism across the firm.

The position involves handling billing processes, document management, time entry, and correspondence, with opportunities to work closely with a busy legal team and gain exposure to diverse

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; AAS degree preferred.
• Notary Public license highly desired.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products and ability to learn billing, document retention, and case management software.
• Confidence using standard office equipment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail, including proofreading and editing correspondence and legal documents.
• Strong organization, multitasking, and time-management skills; ability to adapt calmly to changing priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, problem-solve, and provide coverage as needed.
• Ability to read and interpret organizational documents.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day support to attorneys and administrative supervisors, including copying, phone coverage, greeting clients, coordinating appointments, closing files, entering attorney time, requesting checks and other financial needs through accounting, reviewing draft bills, and preparing final bills for mailing.
• Assist with intake calls from potential clients and direct inquiries to the appropriate attorney.
• Open files, including requesting conflict searches in accordance with firm policy, and enter file information into the firm's systems.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with clients, realtors, attorneys, lenders, and other contacts.
• Read, sort, and date incoming mail and prepare outgoing mail and deliveries.
• Maintain detailed status information on active files and manage legal documents and correspondence within the firm’s case management system.
• Provide coverage and support for other staff members as needed and perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Communication

Attention to detail

Organization

Multitasking

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma

AAS degree preferred

Tools

Billing software

Case management software

Job description

Full-time

Description

Location/Schedule

Bainbridge, New York. Full-time, in-office position

Salary Description

$20.00 - $26.00 per hour. Non-exempt

What Stands Out About This Opportunity

Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP is seeking a dependable, detail-oriented Legal Assistant to join our Bainbridge office. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys being an important part of a busy legal team, keeping matters organized, communicating with clients and other professionals, and helping attorneys and paralegals stay on top of day-to-day needs.

The Legal Assistant will provide hands-on administrative and legal support while helping maintain the client service, professionalism, and confidentiality expected across the firm. The position offers exposure to a variety of legal and administrative tasks while supporting attorneys, paralegals, and other team members as needs arise.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day support to attorneys and administrative supervisors, including copying, phone coverage, greeting clients, coordinating appointments, closing files, entering attorney time, requesting checks and other financial needs through accounting, reviewing draft bills, and preparing final bills for mailing.


• Assist with intake calls from potential clients and direct inquiries to the appropriate attorney.


• Open files, including requesting conflict searches in accordance with firm policy, and enter file information into the firm's systems.


• Communicate clearly and professionally with clients, realtors, attorneys, lenders, and other contacts.


• Read, sort, and date incoming mail and prepare outgoing mail and deliveries.


• Maintain detailed status information on active files and manage legal documents and correspondence within the firm’s case management system.


• Provide coverage and support for other staff members as needed and perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Core Requirements

• High school diploma required; AAS degree preferred.


• Notary Public license highly desired.


• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products and ability to learn billing, document retention, and case management software.


• Confidence using standard office equipment.


• Strong written and verbal communication skills.


• Excellent attention to detail, including proofreading and editing correspondence and legal documents.


• Strong organization, multitasking, and time-management skills; ability to adapt calmly to changing priorities and deadlines.


• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, problem-solve, and provide coverage as needed.


• Ability to read and interpret organizational documents.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Coughlin & Gerhart provides equal employment opportunities and prohibits discrimination and harassment based on any characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Salary Description

$20 - $26