Environmental Legal Assistant Jobs in Springfield, MA

Legal Assistant

Way Finders is a Top Workplaces for Nonprofit organization, named as an employer of choice because our employees said so!  

At Way Finders, we are passionately invested in lifting up the region’s people, places, and systems. Though our team performs a wide variety of functions, we are united by our shared mission: to build and advocate for a thriving region; to improve the stability and economic mobility of families and individuals; and to develop and manage a robust range of safe, affordable housing options.

Interested in joining our team of dedicated professionals? Way Finders is currently seeking a Legal Assistant for our Legal department. The Legal Assistant supports our mission by providing legal administrative support to the Chief Legal Officer, Managing Attorney, and Attorneys, by filing legal documents, responding to inquiries, establishing and maintaining efficient processes, and taking ownership of myriad administrative functions.

Benefits include:  20 days of accrued paid time-off in year one | 15+ holidays annually | Health, dental, and vision insurance options FROM DAY ONE | Educational assistance | Medical Reimbursement Account | Dependent Care Account | 403(b) retirement plan with employer match | Life insurance | Short-term and long-term disability insurance | Transportation benefits | Employee Assistance Program | Annual staff picnic!

Wage starts between $25.50 and $29.00 per hour depending on equivalent qualifications. Interested applicants must submit a resume and cover letter; applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
The candidate may work in a hybrid-remote capacity but must live within commutable distance to our main office. Weekly in-office workdays will be scheduled.

Responsibilities include:
•    Prepare draft legal documents and correspondence
•    File documents and pleadings with courts
•    Draft routine correspondence on behalf of attorneys; review, edit, and prepare signature documents as appropriate
•    Monitor all legal correspondence, reviewing inquiries and supporting materials and responding to internal clients and external stakeholders, including attorneys, landlords, clients, and court personnel 
•    Use judgment in the receipt, response and/or referral of emails from internal and external stakeholders, seeking guidance and direction when appropriate to determine desired action to be taken
•    Track project deadlines and/or escalating issues to the Chief Legal Officer and/or Managing Attorney as needed
•    Manage calendars within and across departments, proactively identifying conflicts, placing holds as requested and appropriate, minimizing reschedules, and communicating changes in a timely manner
•    Prepare written office procedures for tasks given
•    Perform basic administrative, clerical, and office support tasks, to include:  scheduling meetings; copying, scanning, assembling, retrieving, indexing, and purging files; maintaining spreadsheets and databases; and preparing and distributing mailings
•    Create and maintain spreadsheets and databases of records and other information
•    Identify and maintain new processes to improve efficiency within the legal team
•    Enter data on legal data points, including KPIs and deadlines, using established databases and other tracking systems
•    Maintain and organize legal team file system, both physically and electronically

Requirements include:
•    2 years’ equivalent experience with 1 year in the legal field; an Associate or relevant certification may substitute for some experience
•    Preference for experience in a law firm or in-house environment with a variety of civil litigation or real estate transaction matters
•    Adept with technology including Office365 and databases; comfort learning new software systems
•    Familiarity with legal terminology and processes
•    Superior proficiency in working in databases and the Microsoft Suite (including Excel), with comfort learning new technologies; preference for experience working in Filevine or a similar database
•    Excellent organizational skills with the ability to establish priorities and schedule activities as necessary to complete all tasks in a timely manner, achieve deadlines, and effectively multi-task
•    Proven ability to maintain confidentiality in legal matters 
•    Attention to detail
•    Ability to work independently and as part of a team
•    CORI

Way Finders is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This position is available to all without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, disability, age, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or veteran status. We provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals.