Lead Paralegal

The Advocates | Driggs, Bills, and Day PNW; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) + 4% matching

3 Weeks PTO (year 1-3)

Uncapped PTO (year 4+)

Job summary

The Advocates in Portland, OR seeks a Lead Paralegal to manage a team of litigation paralegals and provide high-level trial support. This role combines hands-on litigation experience with people leadership and operational oversight.

Ideal candidates bring 3+ years of supervisory experience, strong organizational and communication skills, and a solid knowledge of Oregon civil litigation procedures. Portland commute is required for on-site duties and court appearances.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or Paralegal Certificate from ABA-approved program preferred; equivalent experience considered.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, coach, and develop a team of litigation paralegals.
• Assign and balance workloads based on case complexity, deadlines, and staffing needs.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing coaching and professional development.
• Assist with recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, and training new litigation paralegals.
• Maintain and enforce departmental policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Promote consistency, efficiency, and quality across litigation support services.
• Monitor staffing needs and recommend process improvements and resource allocation.
• Foster a collaborative, professional, and service-oriented team culture.
• Manage a limited caseload of complex litigation matters if assigned.
• Support attorneys through all phases of civil litigation, including case investigation, discovery, document review, medical records management, pleadings, motions, and trial exhibits.
• Coordinate with experts, witnesses, opposing counsel, and court personnel; ensure deadlines.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Organization

Discretion

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree or Paralegal Certificate (ABA-approved)

Job description

The Advocates are a growing personal injury law firm with branches across the United States. We are dedicated to representing victims of accidents with care and respect. Our team genuinely cares about and has empathy for the people who seek our help, and we are driven to get them the best results possible.

Our Portland office is looking for an experienced and mission-oriented Lead Paralegal to be a part of our team. You would become a vital part of a close-knit group of attorneys, legal assistants, paralegals, and staff who all share a profound dedication to supporting our clients throughout their recovery journeys.

Our Ideal Candidate

We are looking for a highly experienced manager to lead our team of litigation paralegals. This position combines hands-on litigation expertise with people leadership and operational management. The Lead Paralegal is responsible for overseeing the daily operations, performance, development, and workload of the litigation paralegal team while ensuring consistent, high-quality litigation support across the department.

In addition to managing the team, the Lead Paralegal may maintain a limited caseload of complex litigation matters and provide direct support to attorneys through all phases of civil litigation, including trial preparation.

The ideal candidate is an experienced litigation professional with strong leadership skills, a collaborative management style, and comprehensive knowledge of Oregon State civil litigation procedures.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, mentor, coach, and develop a team of litigation paralegals.
• Assign and balance workloads based on case complexity, deadlines, and staffing needs.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing coaching and professional development.
• Assist with recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, and training new litigation paralegals.
• Maintain and enforce departmental policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Promote consistency, efficiency, and quality across litigation support services.
• Monitor staffing needs and recommend process improvements and resource allocation.
• Foster a collaborative, professional, and service-oriented team culture.

Litigation Support

• Manage a limited caseload of complex litigation matters if assigned.
• Support attorneys through all phases of civil litigation, including:
• Case investigation and development
• Discovery planning and responses
• Document review and organization
• Medical records management
• Preparation of pleadings, motions, and trial exhibits
• Trial preparation and courtroom support
• Coordinate with experts, witnesses, opposing counsel, and court personnel.
• Ensure compliance with court deadlines and procedural requirements.
• Maintain accurate case files and litigation databases.

Operations & Quality Assurance

• Monitor litigation workflows and performance standards.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, confidentiality requirements, and legal ethics.
• Evaluate litigation support technology and recommend improvements.
• Collaborate with attorneys and leadership to improve operational efficiency.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or Paralegal Certificate from an ABA-approved program preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• Minimum 3+ years of supervisory or management experience leading legal support staff or a team of employees in a comparable professional administrative environment.
• Excellent organizational, leadership, and project management skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced litigation environment.
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and attention to detail.
• Experience implementing process improvements or managing departmental operations.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least 3 years of civil litigation paralegal experience, specifically trial litigation experience.
• Familiarity and knowledge of Oregon State civil litigation procedures, court rules, and filing requirements.
• Experience managing litigation support within a law firm, insurance defense practice, governmental agency, or corporate legal department.

Ability to Commute/Relocate:

• Portland, OR 97204: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)
• Ability to attend in-person trials in all counties in Oregon State

Compensation

• Pay range: $80,000 – $90,000/yr.
• 401(k) + 4% matching (after 1 year employment)
• 3 Weeks PTO in year 1-3, Uncapped PTO in year 4