Our client, a growing Houston area law firm, has a great opportunity for an experienced Litigation Paralegal to join their team. Duties include, but are not limited to, initial client interview, research, drafting of documents and pleadings, interviewing of witnesses, depositions, motions, trial notebooks, trial, appeal and execution of judgment, as illustrated by the following examples.

Commencement of Action

• Attend initial client interview with attorney, take notes and assist in getting all pertinent data.
• Organize client file.
• Investigate and analyze factual matters.
  • Visit scene, take photographs.
  • Interview witnesses.
  • Obtain medical reports, wage analysis.
  • Arrange for service of process.
• Draft necessary pleadings and pre-trial motions.

Discovery

• Draft requests for admissions, requests for production, requests for disclosure and interrogatories.
• Work with attorney and client in answering interrogatories, requests for admissions, requests for production, and requests for disclosure.
• Assist client with gathering of documents to be produced.
• Review client documents for relevancy, privilege.
• Prepare privilege logs.
• Depositions.
  • Set up depositions, draft notice or subpoena and arrange for reporter.
  • Contact witnesses.
  • Draft outline of questions.
  • Take notes and assist with documents.
  • Digest and index depositions.

Pre-Trial

• Assist attorney with locating and selecting expert witnesses.
• Schedule and notify witnesses requested by attorney and assist in preparing for trial testimony.
• Work with experts and witnesses to gather and organize documents and exhibits for deposition.
• Organize trial notebook.
• Draft pre-trial motions.
• Assist attorney as requested with preparation of trial brief.
• Draft list of suggested voir dire questions for attorney; take notes during voir dire and assist with jury selection.
• Prepare exhibit and witness lists.
• In the event of settlement, draft releases and motions for dismissal.

Trial

• Handle issuance of subpoenas for witnesses and coordinate schedule of witness appearances.
• Take notes and handle exhibits.
• Summarize trial testimony.
• Meet with attorney and client daily during trial to plan for next day.
• Maintain exhibit list and update daily.

Post-Trial

• Maintain appellate timetables.
• Draft notice of appeal, check record and organize appendix.
• Assist in preparation of briefs, cite checking, Shepardizing.
• Ensure brief is filed in a timely manner.
• Assist in collection work for garnishments, levy.
• Verify satisfaction of judgment.
• Assist in processing writs of execution and abstracts of judgment.

General

• E-filing documents with state and federal courts.
• Draft motions and stipulations, i.e., dismissal, extensions of time.
• Shepardize and cite check.
• Research case law whether manual, Westlaw or Lexis.
• Conduct preliminary legal research and draft memoranda.
• Prepare routine correspondence.
• Maintain calendars via tickler system.
• Assist with maintenance of case file.
• Assist with gathering of information for clients on as-needed basis.
• Other duties as assigned by the employer.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Proficient knowledge of Microsoft 365 – Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel; also iManage or similar document management system.
• Working knowledge of legal documents, formatting, table of contents, styles, track changes, pdf documents – inserting and labeling, converting pdf documents to Word.
• Proficient skill level with Relativity, or other e-Discovery platform.
• Ability to proofread and perform editing (e.g., punctuation, grammar, spelling) of routine law office correspondence and legal case matters; perform non-complex arithmetic calculations when verifying calculations on forms and documents; maintain records and filing systems.
• Ability to transcribe legal documents, correspondence, and reports from rough draft or dictation.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize numerous tasks and complete them under time constraints.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Interpersonal skills necessary to communicate and follow instructions effectively from a diverse group of clients, attorneys, and staff, and to provide information with courtesy and tact.
• Ability to travel locally and nationally in private or public transportation.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university preferred.
• High school diploma or GED; paralegal certification required.
• Substantial equivalent work experience may be considered in lieu of a degree or paralegal certification.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience within a law firm with demonstrated knowledge of complex issues within commercial litigation practice area.