Legal Assistant - Palo Alto - Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight, LLP

Description

Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight is a civil rights law firm with about 60 attorneys and over 30 staff, and with offices in the District of Columbia, New York, California, and Tennessee. Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight is strongly committed to EEO principles and values a diverse workplace. The team is a tightly knit community of lawyers and legal assistants, all committed to using the law to help craft and enforce a more just society. We specialize in civil rights and public interest cases, representing plaintiffs with gender discrimination, labor and wage violations, whistleblower, ERISA, financial fraud, consumer fraud, and many other claims. We have represented thousands of individuals in some of the most significant class-action cases before the courts, securing landmark victories through trial and settlements. In addition, we have a number of cases currently before the district and federal appellate courts that raise novel issues of law.

Job Description: Provides administrative support to offices and assists with a variety of firm matters in a hands-on, substantive manner. Works closely with attorneys and other Legal Assistants in all aspects of litigation and pre-litigation matters, including conducting factual investigations; drafting and revising key case-related documents, including memoranda, motions, affidavits, briefs, administrative complaints, and correspondence; performing potential client intake interviews; managing case files; and, preparing for and attending depositions, mediations, client interviews, and court proceedings.

Essential Functions:

• Investigate facts of cases and search pertinent sources (including, but not limited to, public records, internet sources, and Westlaw to support legal arguments);
• Provide written factual analysis to attorneys;
• Draft portions of case-related documents and correspondence (including, but not limited to, routine case-related memoranda, motions, affidavits, briefs, agency charges, and demand letters);
• Organize and maintain administrative and case-related documents (including exhibits, evidence, depositions, pleadings, correspondence, and other items);
• Manage case logistics (including making travel arrangements, coordinating with vendors, making payments to vendors, tracking expenses, and managing case calendars);
• Prepare for and attend court hearings, depositions, mediations, arbitrations, investigatory interviews, meetings with law enforcement agencies, and other case-related proceedings and meetings;
• Review case documents and make determinations of relevance and significance to clients' claims;
• Interview potential clients, summarize their statements, and provide brief analysis of claims;
• Meet with clients and other professionals to discuss details of case;
• File motions and pleadings with courts in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures;
• Coordinate and carry out office activity under the direction of their office's Managing Partner(s) and case-related activity according to attorney direction;
• Coordinate with legal service vendors (e.g., mediators, information management services, court reporters, and process servers);
• Maintain records regarding billable hours spent on specific cases;
• Assist in training new Legal Assistants and preparing materials used during their training;
• Provide office administrative support, which may include providing administrative support to their office's Managing Partner(s) and other attorneys at the firm, event planning and implementation, scheduling and calendaring internal and external meetings, ordering office supplies (including snacks and drinks), tracking office-related expenses, keeping the kitchen clean and organized, and coordinating and tracking office-related keys and cards assigned to employees; and,
• Perform other related duties assigned by the Executive Committee or their office's Managing Partner(s).

Qualifications: To be eligible, an applicant must have a bachelor's degree, be willing to make a two-year commitment, and available to start in Summer 2026.

Applicants should have:

• Extremely strong organizational skills, including the ability to balance multiple pressing tasks;
• Excellent writing, proofreading, and editing skills;
• Research and analytical capabilities, including meticulous attention to detail;
• Initiative and energy to see projects to completion;
• An ability to work effectively in a team environment and to take direction from a range of individuals;
• Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills;
• A proactive, inquisitive, and creative approach to problem solving; and,
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Sign, and Westlaw (experience in iCONECT/Xera is a plus).

We are committed to EEO principles and value a diverse workplace. We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+, all genders, all ages, differently abled, and other minority applicants to apply.

Hours: Legal Assistants work 40+ hours per week (i.e., Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to ~6:30 p.m. in NY, and D.C., and 8:30 a.m. to ~5:30 p.m. in Nashville, Palo Alto, and San Diego).

Salary: The first-year salary for this position is $63,000, and the second-year salary is $66,000. Legal Assistants are eligible for overtime.

Application Procedure: Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight is currently in a hybrid environment with regular in-person attendance required 4 days per week. Applications must include a cover letter, a résumé, an unofficial college transcript, two writing samples of no more than 5 pages each, and a list of three references. These documents should be sent in Word or PDF format to Kiara Pagan, Human Resources Generalist, at Please include "Prospective Legal Assistant Palo Alto" in the email's subject line. Additionally, please specify in your email the earliest date you are available to start.

Reasonable Accommodations: Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight welcomes applications from individuals with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodations during any part of the hiring process, please send your request to us by email at or by mail to the following address:

ATTN: Kiara Pagan, Human Resources Generalist

Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight, LLP

17 State Street, 37th Floor

New York, NY 10004