Paralegal

Casey Family Programs; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Casey Family Programs is seeking a paralegal to provide comprehensive support to the legal department. This role manages records and subpoenas under Counsel’s oversight, supports litigation, drafts documents, and aids in contracting and grant transactions.

The ideal candidate has a paralegal certification or JD, with six years of experience in a law firm or in-house setting, and strong research and analytical skills. The position requires on-site work in Seattle and travel up to 15%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred and Paralegal Certification or JD required.
• Strong project management, organizational ability, and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and in a team setting; strong communication skills.
• Analytical and strategic thinking with business acumen; identify legal risks.
• Experience with legal research and documentation drafting.
• Proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Access) and SharePoint.

Responsibilities

• Manages records and subpoenas in coordination with Counsel.
• Provides litigation support and drafts legal documents as requested.
• Supports procurement and contracting processes; assists with contract and grant transactions.
• Conducts basic legal research and analysis for Counsel.
• Drafts and reviews contract-related documents and correspondence.
• Tracks disputes, deadlines, and maintains organized files for internal/external stakeholders.
• Contributes to risk management and compliance training within the Legal Department.
• Supports cross-functional teams on projects and company initiatives.

Skills

Project management

Organizational ability

Attention to detail

Independent working

Analytical thinking

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Multi-tasking

Education

Bachelor’s Degree preferred

Paralegal Certification or JD required

Tools

MS Office Suite

SharePoint

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

Job Summary:

This position provides general paralegal support to the legal department’s attorneys. The Paralegal will provide day-to-day management of records and subpoenas with oversight from Counsel; provide litigation support; draft legal documents and correspondence at Counsel’s request, including the organization’s contract and grant transactions; provide technical assistance and support in the organization’s contracting process; conduct basic legal research and analysis for Counsel; and support other risk management functions of the department.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Manages record keeping practices for the organization, in consultation with Counsel. Researches and makes recommendations on, and assists in overseeing records management guidelines and retention schedules to comply with licensing, accreditation, child welfare, risk management, and legal and business requirements. In consultation with Counsel, trains, audits, and advises other work units in connection with records retention and destruction obligations.
• Reviews, evaluates, and researches complex records requests, including identifying and analyzing privacy and legal issues relating to the requests, in order to provide recommendations to Counsel on how to respond. Responsible for internally tracking all requests, redacting sensitive information, and timely responding to requests.
• Internally tracks and documents all aspects of disputes, claims, investigations, and discovery requests. Responsible for calendaring deadlines and file organization. Under the direction of Counsel, responds to subpoenas, manages litigation holds, manages document review and production to outside counsel, drafts legal documents and correspondence, and communicates with internal and external stakeholders.
• Reviews, drafts, negotiates, and finalizes contractual agreements with Counsel oversight. This includes: (1) Vendor Agreements, (2) Grants, (3) Agreements with Governmental Entities, (4) Collaboration Agreements, and (5) other unique contractual arrangements.
• Provides technical assistance regarding agreements and contracts to ensure efficient contracting. At direction of Counsel, analyzes contractual issues relevant to nonprofits such as direct qualifying expenditures and other aspects of contracts such as independent contractor qualification, signature authority limitations, and risk management issues.
• Conducts basic legal research and analysis, drafts research memoranda, and makes recommendations to Counsel on relevant subject matters.
• Assists with consultation and training on the following content areas: (1) Contracts, (2) the Contract Management System, (3) Purchasing and Engagement Guidelines, (4) Direct Qualifying Expenditures, and (5) Intellectual Property.
• Assists with all aspects of the Legal Department work efforts including development and implementation of, and training on, guidelines and best practices regarding legal, compliance, licensing and accreditation requirements.
• Supports risk management processes of the Legal Department, as requested.
• Brings knowledge of innovations and technologies to the attention of Counsel and applies appropriate improvements and changes to enhance the outcomes of the group.
• Participates on projects, committees, and teams, and performs other duties as assigned or required to facilitate timely and professional provision of services to internal and external customers.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred. Paralegal Certification or JD required, with a desired minimum of six years’ career experience as a paralegal or staff attorney in a law firm, in-house, or both. Certification or training in information governance, as a privacy professional, or as a contracts specialist highly desirable.
• The essential professional qualifications include:

• excellent project management, organizational ability, and attention to detail;
• ability to work independently as well as effectively partner and collaborate as part of a team;
• analytical and strategic thinking and business acumen;
• ability to identify legal risks and assess complex matters;
• sound judgement in deciding when to resolve issues independently and when to consult Counsel;
• clear and concise oral and written communication skills, including the ability to present to groups;
• ability to identify and resolve issues proactively, creatively, and expeditiously; and
• ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines.

• A balance of assertiveness and diplomacy is important, as well as the ability to be flexible and adapt to a diverse workload and in-house clientele.
• Experience conducting legal research, including on Westlaw, and ability to clearly communicate results and analysis to Counsel is required.
• Ability to protect the confidentiality of sensitive information, including by learning and following all relevant policies and protocols and using sound judgment in the handling and sharing of that information.
• Proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, and working knowledge of SharePoint), Adobe, and interest and ability to learn other technological systems is necessary.
• Knowledge of and experience with collaborations and partnerships, the infrastructures of child and family serving systems, and legal and tax requirements related to nonprofits is desired.
• The successful candidate must value diversity and have experience working in a diverse environment or community with regard to ethnicity, socio-economic backgrounds, and lifestyles.
• This is a regular full-time position that may require travel up to 15% of the time.
• Physical requirements include the ability to lift and reach for light objects; close visual acuity to prepare and analyze data, text, and figures; ability to type utilizing a computer keyboard; ability to travel to outside locations; and the ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time as a primary job function. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Driving on Casey business may require use of personal vehicle; adherence to vehicle safety guidelines and qualification for insurance is required.