Paralegal

At Haynes and Boone, our people are the driving force behind our success. Because we value the role every individual plays in how we deliver exceptional legal services, we hire people who will contribute to our professional reputation, enhance client relationships and share in our success.

Haynes and Boone has been doing business in Houston for more than 30 years – consistently providing value to our clients in the local community, the U.S., and internationally. Our lawyers help major corporate clients grow and thrive in this energetic city, which has major connections to Latin America, Europe and Asia. Our Houston office focuses on energy, private equity, technology, real estate, intellectual property, environmental, business litigation, appeals, bankruptcy and restructuring, labor and employment, employee benefits and executive compensation, finance, tax, securities, mergers and acquisitions, and public and international law. We believe our people are the driving force behind our success in Houston. Because we value the role every individual plays in delivering exceptional legal services, we hire people who will contribute to our professional reputation, enhance client relationships. and share in our success. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that reflects our communities, and we seek highly motivated lawyers and staff who value our culture of respect and teamwork.

Haynes and Boone has been doing business in Houston for more than 30 years – consistently providing value to our clients in the local community, the U.S., and internationally. Our lawyers help major corporate clients grow and thrive in this energetic city, which has major connections to Latin America, Europe and Asia. Our Houston office focuses on energy, private equity, technology, real estate, intellectual property, environmental, business litigation, appeals, bankruptcy and restructuring, labor and employment, employee benefits and executive compensation, finance, tax, securities, mergers and acquisitions, and public and international law. We believe our people are the driving force behind our success in Houston. Because we value the role every individual plays in delivering exceptional legal services, we hire people who will contribute to our professional reputation, enhance client relationships. and share in our success. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that reflects our communities, and we seek highly motivated lawyers and staff who value our culture of respect and teamwork.

Basic Function

This non-exempt employee will assist attorneys in accomplishing clients’ goals by using organizational, analytical and communication skills.  Position requires individual with ability to conduct legal research, document management, and the ability to read and summarize case law and depositions.

Essential Duties

• Assist in drafting of initial pleadings, including discovery, briefs, memos and findings of facts, etc. 
• Support attorneys in significant litigation and/or other trial-related matters, to include assistance with trial research, preparation, and presentation; prepare affidavits, gather and organize evidence and other information, and draft position statements or briefs for such proceedings.       
• Establish, organize and maintain pleading boards, attorney trial notebooks, expert witness notebooks, document indexes and lists.  Devise file organization scheme and supervise file maintenance, prepare privilege logs. Prepare exhibits and schedules.      
• Preparation of areas of inquiry or questions for attorneys to use during depositions and trial.
• Perform assigned legal research tasks using all available resources including libraries and computer data systems.
• Assist with investigations- both documentary and witness interviews.
• Manage document productions, prepare exhibits and coordinate demonstrative evidence for hearings and trials, cite check and finalize briefs.
• Summarize depositions, transcripts and records. Prepare case summaries, chronologies, correspondence and memoranda.
• Design computer adaption for documents and deposition testimony including key word index for ease of retrieval.
• Attend and contribute to organization and strategy meetings.
• Act as the sounding board, the right hand, the confidant of the attorney with whom they are working so as to glean a good understanding of the facts, issues, problems and direction to be pursued in order to reach the ultimate goal set.
• When appropriate, act as liaison between attorney and client so as to better cement client confidence.

Other Duties

• Assist attorneys with speeches and articles.
• Attend CLE and courses to expand knowledge of substantive law.
• Perform other related duties as needed or assigned.

Reporting Relationship

The Litigation Paralegal reports directly to Human Resources or the Office Administrator.

Qualifications

Knowledge/Experience

The Litigation Paralegal must have a minimum of 5 to 7 years of experience. Experience within a law firm environment strongly preferred. The Paralegal should also be able to effectively utilize digital litigation support and electronic document production applications while having the ability to create, compose, and edit written materials. This employee must have strong knowledge of Compulaw, Lotus Notes, Lexis, Westlaw and Adobe platforms. The Paralegal must also possess a thorough knowledge of state and federal court rules, litigation procedures and discovery processes (including electronic discovery). 

Skills

The Litigation Paralegal must possess excellent verbal and writing skills. Must have the ability to conduct legal research and translate difficult concepts into simple terms. Strong computer proficiency is a must, with particular knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Strong communication skills are a must. The Paralegal should be familiar with effective administrative processes and possess the ability to manage a multitude of tasks and cases simultaneously. This employee should be able to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as an effective member of the team. The ability to work with many different types of personalities at all levels of organization is a must. Strong organizational, multi-tasking and prioritization skills are required. This individual will need to meet hard deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Education

Paralegal certification from an ABA approved school and/or bachelor’s degree in a field related to law, administration, or liberal arts required. 

 Physical Demands

Must be able to move around the office up to 15% of the time to make copies, fax, file, etc.; Remains stationary at least 75% of the time; This position constantly operates computers and other office productivity machines (e.g., fax machine, copier, printer, etc.); Occasionally required to move documents or files weighing up to 15 lbs.; This position requires constant communication and exchange of information with the Firm attorneys, clients and staff; This position must be able to inspect and observe information on a computer screen at least 80% of the time.

Working Conditions

Office environment, Position requires some travel including weekend and week-long travel;  Overtime may be required.