Senior Attorney

WhitsonLaw, PLLC; City of Albany (NY); On-site; USD 135,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

WhitsonLaw, PLLC is looking for a well-qualified senior attorney in Albany, New York. The successful candidate will manage a heavy caseload, handle courtroom advocacy, and mentor associates while navigating complex family law matters with empathy and professionalism.

Applicants should have solid litigation experience and a Juris Doctor degree. This role offers compensation of $150,000 per year.

Qualifications

• 5 years required experience in the legal field, especially in family law.
• Active admission to practice law in New York.
• Experience advocating for clients in trials and mediation.

Responsibilities

• Prepare legal documents and represent clients in court.
• Serve as the primary attorney point of contact for clients.
• Lead, direct, and mentor associates and paralegals.

Skills

Persuasive writing skills

Verbal communication skills

Time management

Interpersonal skills

Research and analytical abilities

Education

Juris Doctor from an accredited law school

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college

Tools

Microsoft Office

Westlaw

Google Workspace

Job description

Our growing firm is seeking a well-qualified senior attorney who can handle a heavy caseload, work independently, and zealously represent our clients both in and out of court. WhitsonLaw is dedicated exclusively to matrimonial and family law. We are committed to helping clients navigate difficult personal transitions with clarity, dignity, and strength. While we are happy to litigate when necessary, we also value thoughtful resolution strategies, including collaborative divorce and mediation, when those approaches best serve the client and the family’s long‑term interests. To be considered, you must have solid trial experience and be willing to mentor our newer associates. This role is best suited for a highly capable practitioner who thrives in a fast‑paced environment, communicates exceptionally well, writes persuasively, and approaches family law with both strategic discipline and genuine care for clients. The ideal candidate is someone who can lead from the front, exercise strong professional judgment, and make clients feel both well represented and well supported throughout the legal process. If you are looking for an opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a growing firm that values excellence, leadership, and human-centered advocacy, we welcome the opportunity to connect with you.

Responsibilities

• Prepare legal documents, such as pleadings, motions, notices, and discovery requests/responses
• Provide guidance and advice to associate attorneys and paralegals to resolve or prevent conflicts
• Represent clients in court to argue motions during legal proceedings
• Keep apprised of changes to local, state, and federal statutes and laws
• Anticipate, prepare for, and attend trials, mediation, and arbitration on behalf of clients

Client Service

• Serve as the primary attorney point of contact for assigned clients, providing timely updates, clear guidance, and steady leadership throughout each matter
• Establish expectations early and reinforce them consistently with respect to process, timing, risk, cost, and likely outcomes
• Produce client‑facing work product and communications that are organized, polished, understandable, and aligned with the firm’s quality standards
• Handle emotionally charged client and opposing‑party communications with empathy, professionalism, and appropriate boundaries, while keeping matters moving forward without unnecessary escalation

Litigation & Negotiation

• Manage the full lifecycle of family law matters, including pleadings, discovery, motion practice, hearings, settlement conferences, trial preparation, and trial leadership or support as needed
• Draft and review high‑quality legal work product, including motions, affidavits, discovery demands and responses, stipulations, agreements, orders, and judgments, with minimal revision required
• Ensure all filings and submissions are accurate, timely, and compliant with applicable rules, court requirements, and internal deadlines
• Advocate effectively in court, conferences, and negotiations by presenting facts, legal arguments, and settlement positions persuasively and professionally
• Lead strategic negotiation and settlement planning in a manner that aligns legal outcomes with client priorities and practical realities
• Prepare clients thoroughly for mediation and settlement conferences through clear expectations, strong documentation, and structured decision support
• Exercise sound judgment regarding when to press, when to de‑escalate, and when to pivot strategy in order to achieve durable and practical outcomes

Production & Workflow Management

• Take ownership of the legal production pipeline for assigned matters, from strategy through delivery, to ensure work progresses smoothly, efficiently, and predictably
• Develop and maintain case plans, task lists, and deadline controls so that matters remain organized and nothing stalls, slips, or is overlooked
• Identify bottlenecks, remove blockers, and escape emerging risks early, together with proposed solutions
• Ensure legal work is completed accurately, efficiently, and on time through effective delegation, leverage of team resources, and clear direction

Team Leadership

• Lead, direct, and mentor associates, paralegals, and support staff working on assigned matters
• Assign work with clear instructions, defined expectations, and specific deadlines, then review work product for quality and provide coaching for continued development
• Help foster a culture of accountability, consistency, professionalism, and excellent client service through strong example‑setting and respectful candor
• Coordinate with firm leadership regarding personnel needs, team capacity, training, and performance feedback as they relate to effective case execution

Timekeeping, Billing Discipline, & Performance

• Maintain contemporaneous timekeeping and strong billing hygiene consistent with firm expectations
• Support proactive financial management of matters, including retainer oversight, replenishment awareness, and alignment between the scope of work and client expectations
• Meet role expectations for productivity, quality, responsiveness, and client satisfaction while upholding the firm’s standards and supporting healthy margins

Business Development

• Participate in consultations and case evaluations as requested, presenting confidently and helping convert appropriate matters through a thoughtful, consultative approach
• Contribute to the firm’s reputation through professionalism, responsiveness, and consistently strong execution
• Support relationship‑building, referral development, and visibility efforts as needed, including community presence, professional networking, and thought leadership initiatives

Technology Proficiency

• Microsoft Office
• Adobe Acrobat Pro
• Westlaw
• Ooma
• Google Workspace
• Dropbox
• Experience with Clio Grow, Clio Manage, and Family Law Software is a plus

Qualifications

• Previous experience advocating for clients in trials, mediation, and arbitration
• Bachelor’s degree with a law degree from an accredited law school (such as an LLM, JSD, or J.D. degree)
• Persuasive writing skills and verbal communication skills are critical, along with time management and interpersonal skills
• Active member in good standing with local and state bar associations
• 5 years of required experience as a senior associate in the legal field
• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• Active admission to practice law in New York and in good standing, with a clean professional discipline record
• At least five years of meaningful legal experience, including substantial experience handling complex matters with a high degree of independence
• Demonstrated ability to manage a demanding caseload while maintaining strong organization, responsiveness, and attention to detail
• Meaningful courtroom and litigation experience, with the ability to represent clients effectively in contested proceedings
• Excellent legal writing, verbal communication, time management, and interpersonal skills
• Strong research, analytical, and case strategy abilities
• Confidence, flexibility, and sound professional judgment
• A leadership mindset and willingness to mentor newer associates within the firm
• Patience, compassion, and attentiveness to client needs while maintaining focus on practical and successful legal outcomes
• Availability for in‑person appearances for mediations, meetings, and court proceedings throughout the firm’s service region, including matters ranging from Albany to Plattsburgh, New York
• Outside of required appearances, the daily work location may be flexible
• Completion of, or willingness to complete, advanced training, including Certified Divorce Specialist training, 30 hours of basic mediation training, and 15 hours of interdisciplinary collaborative divorce training

Compensation

$150,000 per year