Litigation Paralegal at Baker Botts in Houston, Texas

Job Description:

Under the direction of the Disputes Technology & Services (DTS) practice group leader and DTS Paralegal Manager, the Litigation Paralegal is a highly skilled, objective-oriented individual who utilizes a combination of practical experience and cutting-edge technology in a collaborative environment to provide Firm clients and attorneys with creative and cost-efficient solutions.


Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work as fully integrated member of team supporting multiple types of litigation matters from inception through trial (including on-site support).
• Prepare first drafts of discovery requests and responses, subpoenas, deposition notices, cover motions, declarations, proposed orders, exhibit appendices and correspondence.
• Manage and maintain a current and complete electronic client/matter file.
• Perform factual and legal cite checking of motions and briefs utilizing the Blue Book and other key cite checking authorities.
• Perform and report on litigation history research regarding opposing parties and counsel.
• Analyze and report on metrics regarding parties, Courts, Judges, motions outcomes and litigation milestones.
• Assist with document collection processes and oversee document production.
• Perform Daubert research regarding party experts using publicly available data and legal research tools.
• E-file documents in various courts, including but not limited to Texas Federal and State Courts, Bankruptcy Court, 5th Court of Appeals and Texas Supreme Court.
• Prepare materials for and assist attorneys with court proceedings (in person and remote) including but not limited to hearings, depositions, arbitration, and trial.
• Coordinate with external vendors to source competitive bids and negotiate contracts.

• Must be reliable and a self-starter.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written, and ability to work on teams across geographies (when necessary).
• Ability to work well in high pressure environments.
• Ability to organize and prioritize numerous tasks to perform essential duties of the position under time constraints and with frequent interruptions.
• Ability to organize and manage large volumes of data.
• Ability to self-manage, anticipate, and delegate responsibilities as necessary.
• Ability to work well with internal and external clients and build relationships with individuals at all levels of an organization.
• Strong organizational skills, problem solving skills and attention to detail.
• Strong work ethic, high degree of integrity and ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Willingness to take full ownership of assignments.
• Willingness to train on and implement evolving technology and AI tools impacting litigation practice.

• 
  Bachelor’s Degree required.
  
• Minimum 3 years of experience in a large law firm environment, preferably within a litigation practice.
• In-depth understanding of the litigation life cycle.
• Proficient with procedural rules including but not limited to Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, related Local Rules, and Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
• Engaged with current litigation events, cases, decisions, and updates to rules.
• Proficient with Microsoft productivity tools (Advanced): Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access.
• Proficient with software including but not limited to document management software/iManage, Opus2 or similar transcript management tools, Relativity, Lex Machina, Docket Navigator, Westlaw, Lexis, PacerPro, and trial presentation tools such as OnCue, Sanction, or Trial Director.
• Ability to proofread materials for contextual, grammatical, typographical, or spelling errors.

• Lawyers, paralegals, and other legal support staff
• Disputes Technology & Services (DTS) Practice Group Leader
• DTS Paralegal Manager

• Client representatives
• DTS eDiscovery and Litigation Technology staff
• Information Technology staff
• Vendor representatives

• Must be able to lift boxes of files weighing approximately 15 pounds.
• Must be able to routinely lift and carry file folders weighing up to 5-10 pounds.
• Must be able to spend long periods of time working at computer workstation.
• Must be able to lift, squat, kneel and bend.

• Work is normally performed in a typical in person office work environment on majority of days; occasional remote support is permitted.
• Position is full-time and requires a five-day work week and standard hours as outlined in the Firm policy manual. Work sometimes requires more than the regularly scheduled hours per week to perform the essential duties of the position.
• Must be available to work overtime, including weekend hours, when necessary to meet established deadlines or stay current with occasional peaks in workload. Must be willing to change regular work schedule to meet the needs of the Firm.
• Position may require occasional travel.