Legal Assistant - Real Estate Tax Assessment

MBM|LAW is hiring an experienced Legal Assistant for the attorneys in our real estate tax assessment practice. This litigation-support role carries real substance: you will move commercial, office, and multi-tenant property assessment appeals from the initial notice of proceedings through hearings before the Board of Property Assessment Appeals and Review (BPAAR), Boards of Viewers, and the Courts of Common Pleas in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Westmoreland, Washington, and Fayette Counties.

If you take ownership of a docket, control a demanding calendar, and want true subject-matter depth in a specialized practice rather than a scattering of unrelated files, this seat will suit you.

Why This Role Stands Out

· A team with a track record: our attorneys have secured major assessment reductions for Class A office buildings and other commercial properties.

· Specialized practice, transferable expertise: deep exposure to appraisal techniques, valuation methods, and assessment appeal procedure.

· Real responsibility: you own intake, calendaring, and filings on active matters, and you speak directly with court staff and clients.

· Direct attorney access: you work alongside the attorneys who try these cases, not three layers removed.

· Stable, established firm: a collegial team, a predictable full-time schedule, and room to grow within the department.

What You Will Do

· Intake new notices of proceedings, then open, docket, and calendar each appeal.

· Own the department’s calendars and task lists, including hearing dates, filing deadlines, and appeal windows across multiple jurisdictions.

· Prepare, e-file, and hand-file pleadings and appeals with the courts and administrative boards, including in-person filings at the courthouse.

· Research submission requirements, local rules, and procedural deadlines across county and municipal jurisdictions.

· Assemble hearing and trial materials: exhibits, appraisals, property records, and binders for BPAAR, Board of Viewers, and Common Pleas proceedings.

· Draft, review, and proof letters, pleadings, and other documents that meet a high standard of accuracy and legal protocol.

· Track incoming items that require a response and keep attorneys ahead of every status and due date.

· Coordinate with court staff, county offices, and opposing counsel on scheduling and submissions.

· Serve as a responsive point of contact for clients, supplying updates and information at the attorneys’ direction.

· Screen attorney telephone calls, email, and mail, and prepare monthly invoicing materials and cover letters.

· Maintain organized, audit-ready electronic and physical files, and back up other departments as needed.

What You Bring

· Two or more years as a legal assistant, paralegal, or legal secretary in a law firm or in-house legal department.

· Associate degree or equivalent paralegal or legal-assistant certification.

· Command of litigation-support fundamentals: docketing, calendaring, e-filing, and deadline management.

· Strong planning and organizational skills, plus the discipline to stay ahead of every due date.

· Excellent written and verbal communication and a careful eye for detail.

· Advanced Microsoft 365 skills, particularly Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, and Access.

· The ability to adapt quickly as priorities shift and to work effectively alone or on a team.

Preferred (Not Required)

· Background in tax assessment appeals, property tax, or real estate litigation.

· Prior practice before BPAAR, a Board of Viewers, or the Court of Common Pleas.

· Familiarity navigating County Real Estate, Department of Court Records, and Recorder of Deeds websites in Allegheny and the surrounding counties.

· Working knowledge of e-filing portals and legal billing or practice-management software.

Details

· Job Type: Full-time.

· Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.M. – 5:00 p.M.

· Location: Pittsburgh, PA (on-site)

How to Apply

Apply through this posting with your resume and a brief note about your litigation-support background. We review applications on a rolling basis and reply to every qualified candidate.

MBM|LAW is an equal opportunity employer and considers every qualified applicant without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.