Paralegal/Legal Assistant

Tennessee State University; Nashville (TN); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Tennessee State University’s Office of General Counsel invites applications for a Paralegal/Legal Assistant. The role provides high-level legal and administrative support, including open records requests, litigation support, document management, and calendar coordination to assist the Office of General Counsel.

The successful candidate will be highly organized, detail-oriented, discreet, and capable of handling confidential information.

Qualifications

• A combination of related professional experience and a two-year paralegal degree, or a paralegal certification and related professional experience.
• Demonstrated experience providing administrative, legal, paralegal, executive-assistant, or comparable professional support.
• Organize and manage multiple legal matters, prioritize assignments, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Clear written and verbal communication; ability to convey complex information professionally.
• Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion and sound judgment.
• Work in person during normal University business hours.

Responsibilities

• Assist with intake, tracking, and timely processing of open records requests.
• Provide litigation support, organize pleadings and discovery materials.
• Maintain department calendar with court dates, deadlines, and meetings.
• Support attorneys with drafting, proofreading, and distribution of documents.
• Manage legal files, contracts, and confidential records per retention policies.
• Receive and route subpoenas, notices, and other time-sensitive materials.
• Assist with contract lifecycle management system administration.
• Communicate professionally with University staff, outside counsel, and government entities.
• Support invoice processing, budget tracking, and other admin duties.

Skills

Organization & time management

Communication skills

Discretion & professionalism

Attention to detail

Independent work

Education

Two-year paralegal degree or paralegal certification

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Thank you for selecting
Tennessee State University
as your Employer of Choice

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Employment is contingent upon successfully completing a criminal background check as mandated by Tennessee State University.

Official transcripts for positions which require a post-secondary undergraduate degree, advanced degree and/or certification must be presented upon hire.

An unofficial transcript may be attached in the “Transcript” section.

You will be required to provide names and contact information for three references during your application to the posting. If you are the recommended candidate for the position, our online hiring system will automatically generate solicitation for these letters using contact information you provided.

Position Information

Position Title

Paralegal/Legal Assistant

Division

Office of the General Counsel

Department

Office of the General Counsel

Job Type

Full-Time

Campus

Main Campus

Position Number

071170

Pay Basis

Semi-Monthly

Job Description

Tennessee State University’s Office of General Counsel invites applications for the Paralegal/Legal Assistant.
Position Summary

The Paralegal / Legal Assistant provides high-level legal, administrative, and organizational support to the University’s Office of General Counsel. This position assists the General Counsel and other attorneys with legal matters including open records requests, litigation support, document management, calendar coordination, correspondence, and general office operations.

The successful candidate will be exceptionally organized, detail-oriented, responsive, and able to manage confidential information with sound judgment and discretion. This is a fully in-person position in a dynamic office environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist with the intake, tracking, coordination, and timely processing of open records requests, including organizing responsive documents and coordinating with University departments.
• Provide litigation support, including maintaining case files, organizing pleadings and discovery materials, coordinating document collection, tracking deadlines, and preparing materials for attorneys.
• Maintain an accurate departmental calendar, including court dates, response deadlines, meetings, hearings, trainings, compliance and reporting schedules, and other key legal and administrative deadlines.
• Provide administrative support to attorneys in the Office of General Counsel, including scheduling meetings, preparing correspondence, and managing phone calls.
• Draft, format, proofread, and distribute routine correspondence, memoranda, reports, presentations, and legal-related documents.
• Maintain legal files, contracts, records, case materials, and confidential institutional documents in an organized and secure manner and in accordance with document-retention systems.
• Receive, route, and monitor legal notices, subpoenas, claims, correspondence, and other time-sensitive materials.
• Assist with administration of contract lifecycle management system and processes.
• Communicate with University employees, outside counsel, government entities, and other external parties in a professional and timely manner.
• Assist with invoice processing, budget tracking, purchase requests, and other office administrative functions.
• Provide administrative support to the Board Secretary.
• Maintain confidentiality of privileged, sensitive, and protected University information.
• Support the efficient daily operation of the Office of General Counsel and perform other duties as assigned. Daily in-person attendance is an essential function of this position.

Required Qualifications

• A combination of related professional experience and a two-year paralegal degree, or a paralegal certification and related professional experience, will meet the minimum requirements.
• Demonstrated experience providing administrative, legal, paralegal, executive-assistant, or comparable professional support.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively organize and manage multiple legal matters, prioritize competing assignments, maintain accurate records, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven effective written and oral communication skills, including drafting, proofreading, and communicating complex information clearly and professionally.
• Demonstrate a high degree of professionalism and the ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion, professionalism, and sound judgment.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and prepare professional documents with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with attorneys, University personnel, and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work in person during regular University business hours.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams, and willingness and ability to learn other University systems.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and must maintain authorization throughout employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a higher education institution, government office, law firm, or in-house legal department.
• Experience supporting contract administration, legal research, litigation support, compliance tracking, project management, and records management.
• Experience using legal case-management and/or document-management platforms.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time.
• Moderate or advanced keyboard usage.
• Ability to lift and carry up to thirty pounds.

This position is an in-person role based in the University’s Office of General Counsel on Tennessee State University’s main campus. The office is composed of a small, collaborative, and dedicated team of professionals. The position involves regular use of a computer and standard office equipment, frequent interaction with University personnel and external contacts, and regular handling of time-sensitive legal matters.

Minimum Qualifications

• A combination of related professional experience and a two-year paralegal degree, or a paralegal certification and related professional experience, will meet the minimum requirements.
• Demonstrated experience providing administrative, legal, paralegal, executive-assistant, or comparable professional support.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively organize and manage multiple legal matters, prioritize competing assignments, maintain accurate records and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven effective written and oral communication skills, including drafting, proofreading, and communicating complex information clearly and professionally.
• Demonstrate a high degree of professionalism and the ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion, professionalism, and sound judgment.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and prepare professional documents with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with attorneys, University personnel, and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work in person during regular University business hours.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams, and willingness and ability to learn other University systems.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and must maintain authorization throughout employment.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Employment is contingent upon successfully completing a criminal background check as mandated by Tennessee State University.

Official transcripts for positions which require a post-secondary undergraduate degree, advanced degree and/or certification must be presented upon hire.

An unofficial transcript may be attached in the “Transcript” section.

You will be required to provide names and contact information for three references during your application to the posting. If you are the recommended candidate for the position, our online hiring system will automatically generate solicitation for these letters using contact information you provided.

Open Date

Open Date 09/17/2026

Close Date

Close Date 09/30/2026

Tennessee State University offers eligible employees a competitive benefits package that includes annual leave (vacation), sick leave, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement, flexible benefits plans and more.

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).