Level 1 Paralegal

LEVEL 1 PARALEGAL

We are seeking a motivated, dependable, and highly organized Level 1 Paralegal to help move active cases through the litigation process.

This is not a position for someone who wants to wait for instructions on every step. We are looking for someone who can receive an assignment, understand what needs to be accomplished, review the file, research when necessary, prepare the work, follow through, and make sure the task is completed.

The ideal candidate is eager to learn, willing to take responsibility, comfortable communicating with clients, and interested in growing into a higher-level paralegal position.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Level 1 Paralegal will assist the attorney with the day-to-day progression of active legal matters, including:

• Preparing and formatting legal documents, pleadings, motions, notices, correspondence, discovery, and other litigation documents;
• Reviewing case files and identifying documents, information, and tasks needed to move the case forward;
• E-filing documents with state and federal courts;
• E-serving documents on opposing counsel and other parties;
• Preparing documents for attorney review and signature;
• Maintaining organized electronic case files;
• Scheduling mediations, depositions, hearings, client meetings, and other case-related events;
• Coordinating scheduling with clients, opposing counsel, mediators, court staff, and other professionals;
• Calendaring hearings, deadlines, discovery deadlines, mediation dates, and other important case events;
• Creating and maintaining deadline reminders;
• Preparing and responding to written discovery;
• Assisting clients with discovery responses and gathering supporting documents;
• Communicating with clients regarding case status, documents, deadlines, appointments, and information needed from the client;
• Reviewing and organizing documents received from clients and opposing counsel;
• Preparing correspondence and professional emails;
• Conducting basic legal and factual research;
• Researching court procedures, filing requirements, parties, businesses, addresses, records, and other information necessary for assigned matters;
• Reviewing court dockets and case activity;
• Following up on outstanding tasks, documents, signatures, discovery, scheduling, and client requests;
• Assisting with mediation and hearing preparation;
• Preparing exhibits and litigation materials;
• Maintaining accurate notes and task updates in the firm's case-management system; and
• Performing other case-management and litigation-support duties necessary to keep cases progressing.

REQUIRED SKILLS

Applicants must be able to:

• Read and understand written English at a professional level;
• Write clearly and professionally in English;
• Draft professional emails and correspondence;
• Understand written instructions and apply them accurately;
• Use Microsoft Word confidently;
• Create, edit, combine, organize, and work with PDF documents;
• Learn and use electronic filing systems;
• Perform internet and legal research;
• Organize electronic documents and case files;
• Manage multiple deadlines and assignments;
• Communicate professionally with clients;
• Learn new software and office procedures;
• Proofread their own work before submitting it;
• Recognize when information is missing and take reasonable steps to obtain it;
• Follow a task through completion rather than completing only one portion of an assignment; and
• Ask appropriate questions when genuinely necessary while becoming increasingly self-sufficient.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are specifically looking for someone who is:

• Self-motivated;
• Eager to learn;
• Reliable;
• Organized;
• Detail-oriented;
• Resourceful;
• Professional;
• Comfortable taking initiative;
• Willing to do more than the bare minimum;
• Interested in learning litigation;
• Able to accept constructive feedback;
• Able to correct mistakes and improve;
• Comfortable working independently;
• Comfortable speaking with clients;
• Able to prioritize competing assignments; and
• Interested in growing with the firm.

EXPECTATIONS

A successful Level 1 Paralegal should not simply complete isolated assignments.

The goal of this position is to push cases forward.

When assigned a task, the paralegal should determine what is required to complete that task, review applicable firm procedures and templates, prepare the necessary work, proofread it, obtain attorney approval when required, and then follow through with filing, service, scheduling, client communication, calendaring, or other necessary next steps.

Examples include:

If assigned to prepare a motion, the assignment does not end when the first draft is completed. The paralegal should prepare the document, proofread it, submit it for attorney approval/signature, prepare the appropriate filing version, e-file or serve it when instructed, save the completed documents to the file, calendar resulting deadlines or hearings, and document completion.

If discovery is received, the paralegal should calendar the response deadline, create advance reminders, provide the discovery to the client, assist the client in preparing complete responses, organize documents, prepare draft responses and objections as directed, and have the package ready for attorney review before the final deadline.

If mediation is ordered or requested, the paralegal should communicate with the necessary parties, obtain available dates, coordinate with the mediator and clients, confirm the mediation, calendar it, and make sure the file reflects the scheduled event.

TECHNOLOGY

Applicants should be comfortable using or learning:

• Microsoft Word;
• Adobe Acrobat/PDF software;
• Email;
• Electronic court filing systems;
• Online legal and factual research tools;
• Electronic calendars;
• Case-management software; and
• General cloud-based office technology.

CLIENT COMMUNICATION

The Level 1 Paralegal will communicate regularly with clients.

Applicants must be able to communicate patiently, professionally, and clearly while obtaining information, explaining procedural matters, requesting documents, confirming appointments, and following up on outstanding items.

The paralegal must understand the difference between providing procedural information and giving legal advice. Legal advice and legal strategy remain the responsibility of the attorney.

GROWTH OPPORTUNITY

This is intended to be an entry-level litigation paralegal position with room for advancement.

A person who demonstrates reliability, strong writing, initiative, organization, sound judgment, and the ability to independently manage increasingly complex assignments can progress to higher-level paralegal responsibilities.

We are looking for someone who wants to develop professional skills and become an important part of the firm's litigation team.

Pay: $12.00 - $22.00 per hour

Expected hours: 20.0 – 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• Paid time off

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Edinburg, TX 78539

Salary : $12 - $22