Paralegal

MSF; Helena (MT); On-site; USD 46,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Montana State Fund (MSF) in Helena, MT is seeking a skilled Paralegal I or II to support attorneys in litigation, mediation, and legal research. The role emphasizes accurate file management, trial prep, drafting documents, and coordinating case activities.

Paralegal II adds advanced responsibilities like complex litigation support, deeper analysis, and coordinating trial/mediation strategy. On-site opportunity with comprehensive benefits and a mission to serve Montana employers and injured

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Paralegal Studies or related ABA program with paralegal experience.
• Ability to support trial preparation, research, and document drafting.
• Strong attention to detail and effective communication with attorneys and claims teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide litigation and administrative support to attorneys and manage case files.
• Coordinate depositions and prepare discovery requests.
• Draft pleadings and review legal documents for accuracy.
• Coordinate mediation notices and trial logistics.
• Maintain file lifecycle and document tracking systems.

Skills

Attention to detail

Legal research

Drafting legal documents

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Paralegal Studies or BA + ABA program

ABA-recognized paralegal program

Paralegal experience (1–6 years depending on level)

Tools

Case management systems

Job description

About the Job:
Montana State Fund (MSF) is seeking a skilled and motivated Paralegal to join our Legal team. This position may be filled at either the Paralegal I or Paralegal II level depending on qualifications. In this role, you will support attorneys in delivering high-quality legal, litigation, and mediation assistance that strengthens MSF’s commitment to serving Montana employers and injured workers.

As a key member of the Legal Department, you will help maintain organized and accurate legal files, support trial preparation, draft and review legal documents, conduct research, and coordinate case activities. This role requires strong attention to detail, clear communication, and a commitment to thorough, accurate legal work.

Paralegal II candidates will additionally take on more advanced responsibilities involving complex litigation support, higher-level legal analysis, deeper factual investigation, and coordination of trial and mediation strategy.

Paralegal I Responsibilities:

• Trial and litigation support: Provides comprehensive litigation and administrative assistance to attorneys. Trial preparation work includes coordinating depositions, managing travel arrangements, building and organizing litigation files, and managing correspondence. Drafts pleadings and other documents from shell templates, assists with discovery, conducts legal and factual research, and coordinates document and witness exchanges.
• Mediation coordination: Processes mediation and hearing notices and manages related correspondence. Reviews files to identify key issues and relevant documents. Assists internal stakeholders and claims teams as needed.
• Administrative Operations: Gathers appropriate documentation for administrative and legal submissions, interacts with external vendors, and processes bills for payment approval. Maintains file lifecycle management (opening and closing active litigation and mediation files) and builds and maintains databases and physical/electronic tracking systems for case files.
• Additional professional support: Attends and participates in enterprise and department meetings and conducts special research projects, including legislative history and legal research as requested. Partners across departments to assist with shared administrative priorities, special initiatives, and training support. Identifies and implements continuous improvements in legal operational workflows.
• General paralegal support: Ensures documents are properly formatted, mailed, served, and filed on site.

Paralegal II Responsibilities:

• Trial and litigation support: Provides comprehensive support in all phases of litigation, including creating and organizing litigation files, drafting pleadings and other documents, preparing discovery requests and responses, conducting legal research, performing factual investigations, coordinating document and witness exchanges, and attending hearings/trials in person. Supports attorneys as directed, including through detailed trial preparation and coordination.
• Mediation coordination: Reviews claim files to identify issues and relevant documentation. Collaborates closely with claims examiners and attorneys to ensure thorough mediation readiness and case clarity.
• Professional Research and departmental support: Participates in litigation meetings and conducts specialized research, including legislative history and advanced legal research, as requested.
• Additional professional support: Maintains electronic and physical legal files, builds databases, organizes and tracks case files, coordinates subpoenas and document activities, monitors changes in relevant laws and rules, and ensures accuracy and quality control in documents and filings.
• General paralegal support: Ensures documents are properly formatted, mailed, served, and filed on site.

Required Skills

About You: To find success and satisfaction in this role, candidates will possess the following traits:

• A legal professional who thrives in a detail‑oriented environment and is energized by supporting attorneys through organized, accurate, and timely legal work.
• Skilled at reviewing case files, conducting legal and factual research, and preparing clear, well‑structured documents—approaching challenges with curiosity, practical reasoning, and a solutions‑focused mindset.
• Attentive to detail, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines, maintain precise records, and track case activity effectively in a dynamic legal setting.
• A collaborative partner who communicates clearly, builds positive working relationships, and supports attorneys, claims examiners, and internal teams with professionalism and good judgment.
• Someone who remains composed when managing urgent or unexpected case needs, applies discretion in sensitive or confidential matters, and contributes to a dependable, client‑focused legal operation.
• A reliable and customer‑centered team member who takes pride in producing high‑quality legal work and maintaining well‑organized files that help the organization serve injured workers and Montana employers

Additional qualities for Paralegal II candidates:

• Comfortable navigating complex litigation workflows, conducting deeper legal analysis, and supporting attorneys with higher‑level strategy and case preparation.
• Confident in independently managing multifaceted cases, prioritizing competing demands, and delivering consistent, detail‑rich work in a fast‑paced legal environment.

At Montana State Fund, how we do our jobs matters to us as much as what we do. To support our customer‑centered workplace, successful candidates are team players who possess:

• Customer and growth mindset
• Empathy
• Accountability
• Resiliency

Required Experience

Minimum Qualifications:

Paralegal I

• Bachelor’s degree in Paralegal Studies, or a Bachelor’s degree with completion of an ABA-recognized paralegal program, plus one (1) year of paralegal experience; OR
• Associate Paralegal degree and three (3) years of paralegal experience; OR
• Bachelor’s degree with two (2) years of paralegal experience.

Paralegal II

• Bachelor’s degree in Paralegal Studies, or a Bachelor’s degree with completion of an ABA-recognized paralegal program, plus four (4) years of paralegal experience; OR
• Associate Paralegal degree and six (6) years of paralegal experience; OR
• Bachelor’s degree with six (6) years of paralegal experience.

An equivalent combination of education and experience of the above requirements may be considered.

Preferred :

• Experience in a fast-paced, dynamic environment: Ability to thrive and adapt in an evolving organizational landscape.
• Relevant legal designations, certifications, or experience in a fast-paced corporate legal or insurance environment.

About Montana State Fund:

Montana State Fund is more than just an insurance company. We are a team of dedicated professionals committed to making a positive impact. Our mission is to partner with employers and their employees to care for those injured on the job and champion a culture of workplace safety for our fellow Montanans.

Six values guide us in our day‑to‑day work:

• Do what’s right
• Deliver with heart
• Focus on what matters
• Succeed together
• Find a better way
• Take the long view

Job location: This position requires on-site presence in the Helena, MT office.

Working conditions:

Fast paced general office environment. Some stress may occur. Regular travel not expected but may occur occasionally around organizational specific events or during the course of employment. Requires sitting for extended periods of time, standing, visual acumen, manual dexterity, detailed verbal communications and fine finger manipulation for working with computer keyboards.

Compensation and Benefits: Starting salary for this non-exempt position begins at $45,900 - $79,700 per year ($22.07 - $38.32 per hour).

Montana State Fund offers excellent benefits, paid time off, and a competitive compensation program, including:

• Comprehensive health insurance with dental, vision, life, long-term disability and more, with optional dependent coverage.
• Flexible spending accounts for dependent care and medical expenses.
• Public employees’ retirement plan tax-deferred contributions with a generous employer match.
• Optional 457(b) deferred compensation to further increase retirement savings.
• Higher education reimbursement and other training and development programs.
• Robust personal leave, paid holidays, and extended leave.