Litigation Paralegal in Austin, Texas at Messer Fort, PLLC

The firm is seeking an experienced Litigation Paralegal to support attorneys in a busy litigation and municipal law practice. This position will be responsible for managing case files, tracking deadlines, assisting with discovery, preparing and formatting legal documents, and keeping attorneys informed of pending matters and follow-up items.

The ideal candidate is organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple matters with limited supervision. The position requires strong attention to deadlines and details, good judgment, and the ability to stay on top of ongoing tasks and communications.

In addition to litigation support, the paralegal will assist with municipal law matters, including document preparation, file management, and other legal and administrative work for governmental clients. Previous municipal law experience is helpful but not required.

Responsibilities

Litigation Support

• Provide paralegal support to attorneys handling litigation matters.
• Maintain litigation calendars and track court, filing, discovery, hearing, deposition, mediation, and other case deadlines.
• Review incoming correspondence and emails for deadlines, requests, and items requiring follow-up.
• Assist with preparing pleadings, motions, discovery requests and responses, correspondence, briefs, exhibits, and other legal documents.
• Assist with discovery, including organizing documents, coordinating responses, and maintaining discovery files.
• Maintain complete and organized electronic and physical case files.
• Assist with preparation for hearings, depositions, mediations, and trials.
• Coordinate filings, service of documents, scheduling, and other case-related matters.
• Communicate with courts, opposing counsel, clients, vendors, and other parties as appropriate.

Municipal Law Support

• Assist attorneys with municipal and governmental law matters.
• Maintain files and records for municipal clients.
• Prepare, format, proofread, and organize ordinances, resolutions, contracts, memoranda, meeting materials, and other legal documents.
• Assist with open records requests, public meeting materials, zoning and land use matters, real property matters, and other municipal assignments.
• Conduct legal and factual research as directed by the attorney.
• Communicate with municipal staff and other client representatives as needed.

Attorney Support

• Maintain attorney calendars, including hearings, depositions, meetings, deadlines, and other appointments.
• Monitor attorney email and correspondence for deadlines, requests, and items requiring action or follow-up.
• Prepare, format, proofread, and finalize correspondence and other legal documents.
• Keep track of outstanding assignments and follow up on items that require attention.
• Assist with organizing the attorney's schedule and workload.
• Provide general administrative and practice support to assigned attorneys.
• Maintain organized contact information, files, calendars, and other practice materials.
• Handle confidential client and firm information appropriately.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• At least 2 years of paralegal experience, with litigation experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with litigation case management, calendaring, discovery, document preparation, and file organization.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple matters and deadlines and work independently.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong proofreading and legal document-formatting skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Outlook; experience with legal practice or document management systems is preferred.
• Professional and effective communication skills when working with attorneys, clients, courts, opposing counsel, and other professionals.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion when handling client and firm matters.
• Municipal, governmental, or administrative law experience is a plus.
• Familiarity with the Texas Public Information Act and Texas Open Meetings Act is a plus.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The firm is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law. Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities as required by applicable law.