Legal Assistant/Paralegal

About the role

This is a full-time employment opportunity for an experienced Legal Assistant/Paralegal in a mid-size Texas law firm's Houston office. The ideal candidate will possess a minimum of five years of experience supporting attorneys in a litigation-focused law practice. The firm is looking for long-term candidates who can commit to a minimum of 5 years.

The schedule for this role is Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with a possibility of 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. The work model is 100% in-office, with no hybrid option. The pay range is $55,000 to $65,000 per year.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will provide direct support to 3 Partners in the Houston office. The role involves both substantive legal work and administrative responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.

• Litigation and legal document preparation, including drafting, revising, proofreading, and formatting pleadings, motions, discovery requests and responses, correspondence, affidavits, notices, mediation materials, and other legal documents.
• Assisting attorneys with preparation of filings in state and federal courts, arbitrations, and administrative proceedings.
• Preparing hearing notebooks, trial notebooks, exhibit binders, witness files, and other litigation support materials.
• Reviewing, revising, and formatting contracts, agreements, and transactional documents at the direction of attorneys.
• Coordinating and managing document production, discovery responses, and document organization for litigation matters.
• Conducting electronic filing of pleadings and legal documents in Texas state courts, federal courts, and arbitration forums.
• Monitoring case deadlines and ensuring timely filings and compliance with court orders and scheduling deadlines.
• Organizing, maintaining, and managing electronic and physical client files.
• Ensuring proper document storage, indexing, retrieval, and version control.
• Maintaining accurate case management records within the firm's practice management systems.
• Assisting attorneys with case management from file opening through resolution.
• Submitting conflicts requests and assisting with opening new client and matter files.
• Maintaining attorney calendars, including deadlines, hearings, depositions, mediations, arbitrations, meetings, and client appointments.
• Assisting attorneys in preparing for hearings, depositions, mediations, arbitrations, trials, and client meetings.
• Coordinating with clients, opposing counsel, court personnel, experts, vendors, and third parties as needed.
• Providing administrative and operational support, including coordinating travel arrangements, meetings, and scheduling.
• Preparing and submitting expense reimbursements.
• Assisting with billing-related matters, time entry review, and administrative reporting as requested.
• Answering and directing incoming calls and assisting with general office administration.
• Providing overflow support and performing additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; associate's degree, bachelor's degree, or paralegal certificate preferred.
• Experience supporting litigation matters from inception through trial preferred.
• Experience with construction litigation, commercial litigation, insurance defense, labor and employment, or business transactions is a plus.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat Pro, Outlook, and legal case management software.
• Experience with Centerbase or similar legal practice management systems preferred.
• Extensive experience with electronic filing in Texas state courts and federal courts.
• Strong knowledge of legal terminology, legal documents, court procedures, and litigation processes.
• Demonstrated experience drafting and revising pleadings, motions, discovery documents, correspondence, and contracts.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong proofreading, editing, and document formatting abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple attorneys, deadlines, and priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently while exercising sound judgment and initiative.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism at all times.

Benefits

• 401(k) through Vanguard
• 401(k) Employer Safe Harbor Matching
• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• HSA and FSA Options
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off