Executive Assistant

Are you a highly organized professional who thrives on bringing structure and calm to a fast-paced legal environment?

Do you excel at managing competing priorities, supporting leadership, and ensuring nothing falls through the cracks?

Can you take ownership of administrative systems, client communications, and document workflows to keep a legal practice running smoothly?

Is your approach to support marked by a high level of detail, initiative, and discretion?

Final question: When faced with a challenge, do you get excited or run away?

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At Joel J. Kirkpatrick, P.C., we are committed to providing top-notch service to federal employees facing some of the most challenging moments of their careers. Founded by Joel Kirkpatrick—former federal law enforcement agent turned defense attorney—our firm brings unique, firsthand insight to cases involving misconduct allegations, employment-related criminal charges, and constitutional violations. Based in the Plymouth/Canton area, we specialize in federal employment law, with deep experience representing clients before the Merit Systems Protection Board and in federal courts.

Our firm doesn’t just practice law—we advocate for justice, defend careers, and empower individuals facing powerful institutions. We take pride in our personalized service, and every client interaction is handled with diligence, empathy, and respect. As a lean but high-performing firm, we value self-starters and strategic thinkers ready to make an impact. With a growing client base and an evolving practice, this is a rare opportunity to help shape and lead the administrative and operational core of a federally focused law firm.

At Joel J. Kirkpatrick, P.C., the Executive Assistant will serve as the right hand to the attorney and the operational backbone of the firm—managing day-to-day administrative functions, streamlining legal workflows, and ensuring exceptional client service. As the first hire in this capacity, you’ll play a foundational role in shaping internal systems and processes, handling everything from client communications and calendar management to drafting and organizing legal documents. You’ll wear multiple hats—part legal assistant, part operations manager, part client care lead—and your attention to detail, follow-through, and ability to stay calm in a fast-paced legal environment will make you a trusted partner to the firm’s founder, with direct impact on client outcomes and firm efficiency.

What you’ll do:

• Firm Operations Leadership: Take full ownership of the firm’s day-to-day operations—ensuring smooth continuity in the attorney’s absence by managing administrative workflows, client communications, and case activity with confidence and independence.


• Client Communication & Engagement: Manage all client communications with professionalism and empathy—serving as the primary point of contact, responding to inquiries, providing case updates, and coordinating necessary information and documents throughout the legal process.


• File Organization & Management: Take ownership of organizing and maintaining client files—ensuring all documents are complete, properly filed, and easily accessible across systems like Dropbox and legal client portals.


• Calendar Management: Maintain and manage the attorney’s calendar, scheduling appointments, hearings, and deadlines to ensure smooth day-to-day operations.


• Task & Workflow Coordination: Help the attorney stay on top of tasks, deadlines, and communications—ensuring nothing falls through the cracks in their casework, while also supporting accountability for broader business goals and growth initiatives.


• Document Preparation: Assist in preparing legal documents by drafting and proofreading written materials, including basic discovery responses such as interrogatories.


• Legal Support: Assist in assembling and preparing materials for hearings and appeals; ensure all relevant deadlines and client follow-ups are properly managed.


• Operational Development: Help implement new systems for workflow, document filing, and client portals; recommend improvements to increase efficiency and clarity across all operations.


• Administrative Duties: Ensure the office stays organized and running efficiently by managing office supplies, tracking and processing bills, and supporting the smooth use of technology and systems across the firm.

What we’re looking for: 

• Experience: At least 3 years of experience in an administrative, legal assistant, or paralegal role. Familiarity with federal employment law or legal service settings is a plus.


• Legal Acumen: Some exposure to or knowledge of legal processes, terminology, and document handling—particularly in federal matters or administrative appeals—is highly valued.      


• Technical Skills: Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), PDF editing tools, and legal management platforms such as MyCase.


• Communication Skills: Clear, professional communicator with excellent grammar and attention to tone. Comfortable handling sensitive information and speaking directly with clients.


• Organization & Autonomy: Self-directed and highly organized. Able to juggle multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and work efficiently with minimal oversight.


• Attention to Detail: Meticulous with documents, communications, and workflows—committed to getting things right the first time.


• Long-Term Mindset: Looking for someone who wants to grow with the firm, bringing dedication, consistency, and a strong sense of ownership to the role over time.

Why you should work here: 

• Lead and Grow: As the first hire in this capacity, you’ll be uniquely positioned to grow with the firm—opening doors to future advancement into operations or paralegal leadership roles based on your strengths and contributions.


• Foundational Impact: Play a direct, hands-on role in shaping how the firm operates—streamlining legal and administrative processes, improving client service, and laying the groundwork for scalable systems as the firm grows.


• Meaningful Work: Support clients who are navigating high-stakes federal employment cases and defending their careers and reputations.


• Supportive Culture: Work directly with a founder who values thoughtfulness, initiative, and long-term collaboration—not micromanagement.

Additional perks:

• Paid Time Off: Enjoy paid time off to recharge, reset, and return ready to do your best work.


• Benefit Stipend: Receive a monthly stipend to support your health and wellness needs.

At Joel J. Kirkpatrick, P.C., this Executive Assistant role is far more than a support position—it’s a foundational opportunity to build and manage the systems that allow us to protect and defend federal employees across the country. Your ability to manage the day-to-day, streamline legal operations, and elevate client service will shape how our firm grows and evolves. We’re looking for someone excited to take ownership, collaborate directly with leadership, and be an indispensable part of our story from the ground up.

We invite you to bring your organizational prowess, client-first mindset, and legal-adjacent skillset to a firm built on justice, integrity, and service. Join us in making a difference—one client, one case, one breakthrough at a time.