Legal Assistant

State Bar of Texas; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

State Bar of Texas seeks a paralegal support professional for the Chief Disciplinary Counsel's office. The role involves assisting attorneys and investigators with pleadings, discovery, witness interviews, and trial preparation, while maintaining confidentiality and coordinating with court personnel.

Requirements include paralegal certification or 3+ years of civil litigation experience, strong legal research, drafting, and writing abilities, plus proficiency with Word, Adobe Pro, Zoom, Teams

Qualifications

• Certification from an accredited paralegal program.
• Minimum of three years of legal assistant experience in civil litigation.
• Requires proficiency with Microsoft Word, Adobe Pro, Zoom, Teams and Outlook Express.
• Experience with case management software preferred.
• Strong knowledge of legal research, drafting, terminology and civil court procedure.
• Proven written and oral communication skills.
• Minimal travel required.

Responsibilities

• Assist attorneys in preparing pleadings, petitions, discovery requests, interviewing witnesses, judgments, and other documents.
• Assist investigators and attorneys with legal research and data gathering; case management and hearing/trial prep.
• Contact court personnel, complainants and witnesses in writing and verbally.
• Attend trials and appellate arguments; take notes and manage exhibits.
• Organize and maintain documents for filing and presentation.
• Respond to inquiries from complainants, respondents, witnesses and the public with confidentiality.

Skills

Civil litigation experience

Legal research

Legal drafting

Advanced writing

Written & oral communication

Technology proficiency

Microsoft Word

Adobe Pro

Zoom

Teams

Outlook Express

Case management software

Education

Paralegal certification

Tools

Microsoft Word

Adobe Pro

Zoom

Teams

Outlook Express

Case management software

Job description

General Description

Provides litigation support for the investigators and attorneys of the office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel related to their handling of attorney disciplinary cases. This position involves frequent contact with State Bar staff, committees, and departments, attorneys, and other individuals and organizations outside the State Bar.

Primary Functions

• 1. Assists attorneys in the preparation of pleadings, petitions, discovery requests, interviewing witnesses, judgments, and other documents.
• 2. Assists investigators and attorneys with legal research and in gathering pertinent data, documents, and records; and with case management and preparation for hearings and trials.
• 3. Assists in contacting court personnel, complainants, and witnesses, both verbally and in written form.
• 4. Attends trials and appellate arguments, takes notes, maintains exhibits, and summarizes trial testimony and depositions.
• 5. Organizes and maintains documents for presentation and filing.
• 6. Responds to inquiries from complainants, respondents, witnesses, and the public while maintaining confidentiality.
• 7. Prepares and organizes trial notebooks.
• 8. Maintains a docket control system via case-tracking software and external tracking system.
• 9. Assists Statewide Compliance Monitor with respondents’ compliance with disciplinary judgments entered.
• 10. Performs other duties as required.

Position Requirements

Certification from an accredited paralegal program, or a minimum of three years of legal assistant experience in civil litigation. Requires technological competency, including proficiency in Microsoft Word, Adobe Pro, Zoom, Teams, and Outlook Express. Experience using case management software preferred. Requires knowledge of legal research, legal drafting, legal terminology, and legal concepts; advanced skills in writing; and knowledge of civil court procedure. Requires proven written and oral communication skills. Minimal travel required.