Paralegal - Litigation

Vela Wood Staley Young; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent firm-paid medical/dental/vis

Matching 401(k) retirement plan

Disability & life insurance

Paid Holidays

Paid Parental Leave

Work abroad opportunities

Job summary

Vela Wood is seeking a talented and motivated Litigation Paralegal to join our Austin office. You will support all phases of litigation, including case investigation, discovery, and trial preparation, working closely with attorneys.

The ideal candidate has 2–6 years of litigation experience, strong organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, with parity for Everlaw and MS Office tools.

Qualifications

• 2–6 years of litigation paralegal experience in a law firm setting.
• Paralegal certification preferred, or equivalent education and experience.
• Experience with Texas state and federal filing procedures and deadlines.
• Familiarity with e-discovery platforms and litigation case management.

Responsibilities

• Support attorneys through all phases of litigation from inception to trial and appeal.
• Draft, proofread, and format pleadings, motions, subpoenas, and discovery requests.
• Prepare and file documents in Texas state and federal courts.
• Organize case files, calendars, deadlines, and dockets; manage discovery materials.
• Provide trial preparation support including exhibits, notebooks, and witness materials.

Skills

Litigation paralegal experience

Excellent organization

Multi-tasking

Team collaboration

Strong written and verbal skills

Education

Paralegal certification

Tools

Everlaw

Microsoft Office

Adobe Acrobat

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

Vela Wood is seeking a talented and motivated Litigation Paralegal to join our Austin office to support our litigation and bankruptcy practice. In this role, you will work closely with attorneys and other legal professionals, providing support throughout all phases of the litigation process, including case investigation, discovery, document management, trial preparation, and case management.

The ideal candidate will have 2–6 years of litigation experience in a law firm setting, strong organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. We're looking for someone who takes initiative, pays close attention to detail, and enjoys collaborating with a team while independently managing assigned responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

Case Management & Research

• Support attorneys throughout all phases of litigation, from case inception through trial and appeal.
• Conduct legal research and assist with compiling, reviewing, and summarizing case materials, including discovery responses, deposition transcripts, and other relevant documents.
• Maintain and organize case files, calendars, deadlines, and dockets to ensure timely completion of assignments and compliance with court requirements.
• Assist with tracking case developments, upcoming deadlines, and litigation-related tasks.

Document & Evidence Management

• Draft, proofread, format, and prepare pleadings, motions, subpoenas, discovery requests, and other legal documents for attorney review.
• Prepare and electronically file documents in Texas state and federal courts in accordance with applicable rules and procedures.
• Organize and maintain electronic and physical case files, including exhibits, correspondence, and discovery materials.
• Assist with document collection, review, organization, and production during discovery.
• Utilize litigation support and e-discovery platforms, including Everlaw, to manage case documents and discovery materials.

Trial Preparation & Support

• Assist attorneys with deposition, hearing, mediation, and trial preparation, including coordinating schedules, preparing exhibits, and organizing supporting materials.
• Coordinate with clients, witnesses, experts, vendors, opposing counsel, and court personnel as needed.
• Prepare trial notebooks, exhibit lists, witness materials, and other trial-related documentation.
• Provide logistical and administrative support throughout the trial preparation process.
• Provide onsite trial support and travel as needed.

What We’re Looking For in You

• 2–6 years of litigation paralegal experience in a law firm setting.
• Paralegal certification preferred, or equivalent education and experience.
• Working knowledge of Texas state and federal court rules, filing procedures, and litigation deadlines.
• Experience preparing legal documents, assisting with discovery, and supporting litigation matters.
• Familiarity with electronic court filing systems and litigation case management processes.
• Experience with e-discovery platforms, preferably Everlaw, or the ability to quickly learn new litigation support technology.
• Exposure to trial preparation, including organizing exhibits, trial notebooks, and supporting documentation.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to balance multiple assignments and competing deadlines.
• Excellent attention to detail and a commitment to producing accurate, high-quality work.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally with attorneys, clients, and external parties.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat, with a willingness to learn and leverage new technology.
• Resourceful, proactive, and comfortable taking ownership of assigned tasks while knowing when to seek guidance.
• Collaborative team player who contributes to a positive, efficient, and supportive work environment.
• Ability to adapt and thrive in a fast-paced, evolving legal environment.
• Above all else, you should be a really good person - someone who leads with [OR 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 Canada, Portugal, Spain, Mexico, and Denmark!)

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.