Senior Paralegal (Houston)

Steptoe LLP; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 92,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life

Disability

Dependent care

Health care flexible spending accounts

401K Plan

Profit-Sharing

Paid Time-Off

Wellness Program

Job summary

Steptoe LLP in Houston seeks a Senior Paralegal to support litigation lawyers and manage complex cases from inception to conclusion. You will handle case preparation, document management, research, and trial support, with emphasis on accuracy and confidentiality.

Responsibilities include drafting and editing pleadings, organizing electronic files, conducting legal research with Westlaw, LEXIS and PACER, and coordinating discovery and trial logistics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Paralegal certificate from ABA-approved school preferred.
• 7+ years of relevant paralegal experience.
• Experience supporting complex litigation and trial preparation.
• Strong research and writing skills; proficient with legal databases.

Responsibilities

• Assist with case management from inception to conclusion.
• Maintain and organize case files, pleadings, discovery docs, and exhibits.
• Conduct legal research using Westlaw, LEXIS, and PACER.
• Draft, proofread, and edit pleadings, motions, briefs, and affidavits.
• Assist with discovery requests and document review.
• Provide trial support and on-site courtroom assistance.
• Enter time into the firm's time-entry system and support billing targets.

Skills

Attention to detail

Research skills

Communication

Critical thinking

Teamwork

Work ethic

Education

Bachelor's degree

Paralegal Certificate (ABA-approved)

Tools

Westlaw

LEXIS

PACER

Relativity

CaseMap/TimeMap

West Case Notebook

Job description

Position(s) I am Applying for

Senior Paralegal (Houston)

Support litigation lawyers and assist in the management of complex litigation cases. Handle responsibilities related to case preparation, document management and organization, legal and factual research, documentation, and trial support.

Essential Functions

Case Management

• Collaborate with lawyers to manage and organize litigation cases from inception to conclusion.
• Maintain and update case files, including pleadings, discovery documents, correspondence, expert reports, and exhibits.
• Prepare and manage case timelines, calendars, and deadlines to ensure compliance.
• Coordinate with external parties, such as clients, witnesses, experts, vendors and opposing counsel, as necessary.
• Familiarity and experience with state and federal e-filing platforms preferred.

Legal Research and Analysis

• Conduct legal research using various online and offline resources (including Westlaw, LEXIS, and PACER) to gather relevant information
• Analyze legal issues, court rules, statutes, regulations, and case precedents to support case strategy and decision-making.
• Summarize and present research findings to lawyers in a clear and concise manner.

Document Management

• Draft, proofread, and edit legal documents, including pleadings, motions, briefs, and affidavits.
• Bluebook, Cite check, and Shepardize briefs and prepare tables of authorities.
• Assist with the preparation and filing of court documents, ensuring adherence to court rules and e-filing procedures.
• Organize and maintain electronic document databases, ensuring confidentiality and easy retrieval of documents.

Discovery and Investigation

• Assist in the preparation and response to discovery requests, including document productions and interrogatories.
• Coordinate and manage document review processes, often involving large volumes of data.
• Utilize automated eDiscovery review systems including Relativity, CaseMap/TimeMap, and West Case Notebook, among others
• Assist in conducting investigations, including locating and interviewing witnesses, and gathering relevant evidence.

Trial Support

• Assist lawyers in preparing for and attendance at trials, hearings, and depositions.
• Organize and prepare trial exhibits, witness lists, and other trial-related materials.
• Provide on-site support during trials, including managing exhibits, coordinating witnesses, and assisting with courtroom technology.

Time Recording

• Enter time spent on tasks on a daily basis into the firm's time entry system.
• Meet or exceed annual billing hours requirement as established by the Sr. Manager

Non-Essential Functions

• Provide back-up coverage for other paralegals as needed
• Assist with pro bono and business development projects
• Complete other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualification

• Bachelor's degree required
• Paralegal Certificate from an ABA-approved school preferred
• 7 or more years' relevant experience required

Success Factors

• Attention to detail: avoid common and frequent mistakes; complete complex projects and tasks without error.
• Research and analysis: proficiency in research and analysis to enable informed decision-making, innovative problem-solving, and superior client service.
• Communication: convey goals and objectives clearly and in a compelling manner; listen effectively and clarify information as needed; ensure that project status, issues and successes are communicated to project team, stakeholders, sponsors, steering committee and all levels of management and documented appropriately; ensure open communications within project team.
• Critical Thinking & Problem Solving: recognize problems or situations that are new or without clear precedent; evaluate alternatives and find solutions using a systematic, multi-step approach; develop improvements and innovations to enhance performance.
• Teamwork: able to work well with others on projects, initiatives, and tasks that require their input and cooperation.
• Excellent work ethic: ensures that all work is completed on a timely basis, maintains attendance and punctuality at a high level, available for work outside of normal business hours as needed.

Work Environment

• Available to work in the office 9:00 - 5:30 pm Monday through Friday.
• Hybrid work arrangements may be available for this position
• Non-Smoking environment
• Available to work beyond regular hours when necessary
• Available to travel as required, on short notice, to various firm offices, courthouses, or other locations in support of the firm's clients

The anticipated base salary range for this position is $92,000-$100,000. The actual base salary offered will be dependent upon the applicant's experience and qualifications, as well as other job-related factors, including but not limited to, relevant skills, education, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, geographic location. The upper range is reserved for candidates with extraordinary experience and or skill sets.

Steptoe offers a full range of benefits for you and your eligible dependents.

Benefits currently include:

• medical
• dental
• vision
• life
• disability
• dependent care
• health care flexible spending accounts
• 401K Plan
• Profit-Sharing
• Paid Time-Off
• a robust Wellness Program

Steptoe LLP is an equal opportunity employer EOE/Disability/Veteran. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, or any basis proscribed by applicable statutes.