Legal Assistant - Litigation

Vela Wood Staley Young; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent firm-paid health insurance

Matching 401(k)

Disability & life insurance

Paid holidays

Parental leave

Work abroad opportunities

People-first culture

Job summary

Vela Wood is seeking a legal assistant in Austin to support our Bankruptcy and Litigation practice. The role offers varied duties from drafting and filing bankruptcy documents to case preparation and client communications.

You will work closely with attorneys, manage deadlines, maintain case files, and use Word, Excel, Adobe Acrobat, DocuSign, and Everlaw. We value integrity, teamwork, and a life-enriching career with a people-first culture.

Qualifications

• Experience drafting bankruptcy and litigation documents.
• Strong ability to manage deadlines and organize case files.
• Proficient legal research and summarization.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Proficient with Word, Excel, Adobe Acrobat, and DocuSign.
• Experience with Everlaw is preferred.
• High integrity and professionalism in client interactions.

Responsibilities

• Draft, format, and manage bankruptcy petitions, schedules, and related documents.
• Prepare and file court documents and track deadlines.
• Assist attorneys in hearings and trials, including exhibits and witness coordination.
• Conduct preliminary bankruptcy and litigation research.
• Communicate with clients, opposing counsel, and court staff.
• Handle general admin tasks and calendar management.

Skills

Document drafting

Docketing & deadlines

Legal research

Communication skills

MS Word & Excel

Everlaw familiarity

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Adobe Acrobat

DocuSign

Everlaw

Job description

About VW

Vela Wood is a boutique law firm and the best at what we do - but our mission is bigger: to be the best company in Texas, by building genuine client relationships, embracing cutting-edge innovation, and creating life-enriching careers for our people. We're doing that by reimagining what professional services can look like, with proprietary technology, a people-first culture, and a fundamentally different approach to the practice of law. At Vela Wood, we measure success by lives improved, not just revenue generated.

About the Role

We have an extraordinary opportunity for a legal assistant to join our team in Austin. This is a varied role for someone who likes to keep busy and will enjoy supporting our growing office. The role will focus on our Bankruptcy and Litigation practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Document Drafting and Management: Draft, format, and manage bankruptcy petitions, schedules, and other legal documents related to bankruptcy cases and litigation. Ensure accuracy and compliance with legal standards and court rules. Organize and maintain electronic filing systems, ensuring all documents are accurately filed and easily retrievable.
• Filing and Court Procedures: Prepare and file court documents for bankruptcy proceedings and litigation cases, including motions, pleadings, and discovery requests. Track filing deadlines and ensure timely submissions.
• Case Preparation and Support: Assist attorneys in preparing for bankruptcy hearings and litigation trials, including organizing evidence, preparing exhibits, and coordinating witness schedules.
• Legal Research: Conduct preliminary research related to bankruptcy law and litigation procedures. Assist with the review and analysis of case law, statutes, and legal precedents.
• Client and Court Communication: Communicate effectively with clients, opposing counsel, and court personnel regarding case updates, document requests, and procedural matters. Maintain professional and confidential interactions.
• Administrative Support: Assist with general office tasks, including managing calendars, scheduling meetings, and coordinating with other departments as needed.

What We're Looking For in You

• Organizational Skills: Highly organized with excellent attention to detail, particularly in managing and maintaining complex case files, legal documents and matter-related deadlines.
• Docketing & Deadline Management: Strong ability to track, calendar, and manage critical court, filing, and case deadlines. Accuracy and follow-through in docketing deadlines are essential to this role.
• Knowledge of Bankruptcy and Litigation Procedures: Familiarity with bankruptcy laws, court rules, filing requirements and litigation procedures is preferred.
• Strong Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with clients, attorneys, court personnel, and other external parties.
• Technical Proficiency: In Microsoft Word and Excel, Adobe Acrobat, and DocuSign. Experience with or familiarity with Everlaw for discovery and document review is preferred.
• Research Abilities: Ability to conduct legal research and summarize findings relevant to bankruptcy and litigation matters.
• Attention to Detail: Meticulous attention to detail in document preparation, filing, deadline management, and overall case management.
• Above all else, you should be a really good person - someone who works with integrity, humility, and respect. At VW, we believe life is for living, that curiosity fuels excellence, and that great companies are built by people who treat one another well while doing meaningful, ambitious work together.

What We'll Provide You

• Excellent firm-paid medical/dental/vision insurance
• Matching 401(k) retirement plan
• Firm-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance, as well as life insurance
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave benefits
• Work abroad opportunities - including firm-subsidized work trips (Past trips were to Portugal, Spain, Mexico, and Denmark!)
• A people-first culture that values trust, transparency, and collaboration over bureaucracy.

Vela Wood is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.