Business Paralegal

Hopler, Wilms & Hanna, PLLC is a growing law firm headquartered in Durham/RTP, North Carolina. We assist clients with business law, estate planning, estate and fiduciary administration, guardianship matters, and related case types. Our mission is to provide exceptional legal services with a focus on efficiency, accuracy, and client-centered care.

Position Overview:

We are seeking a dynamic and versatile Business Paralegal to join our team. The Business Paralegal provides comprehensive legal and administrative support to a lead attorney focused on business litigation and transactional matters. The ideal candidate has at least 2 to 3 years of experience as a paralegal in a civil litigation and/or transactional setting, is highly organized, detail-oriented, and possesses a strong understanding of both the litigation lifecycle and the fundamentals of business and corporate law.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary support for a lead attorney, managing a dynamic caseload of business litigation, pre-litigation disputes, and transactional matters from intake to resolution.
• Act as a primary point of contact for clients, handling routine communications, answering basic inquiries, and triaging issues to ensure timely responses and efficient case management.
• Draft, edit, and proofread a wide range of legal documents, including pleadings (complaints, answers), discovery requests and responses, motions, contracts, corporate governance documents (e.g., Operating Agreements), and demand letters.
• Support attorneys in deposition preparation, contract dispute resolution, and trial preparation.
• Manage legal calendars and deadlines, including scheduling client meetings, depositions, and court-mandated timelines using practice management software.
• Prepare and manage client invoices and billing statements.
• Assist with corporate formations, annual report filings, state registrations, and other transactional and regulatory needs.
• Conduct deed searches, public records research, and legal research for both litigation and business law cases.
• Collaborate with attorneys and staff to ensure timely and accurate case progression.
• Maintain organized digital and physical case files.
• Handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Perform other administrative duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Minimum of 2-3 years of experience as a paralegal, preferably with demonstrated experience in civil litigation. Experience in business/corporate law is also highly valued.
• Direct experience with North Carolina Superior Court litigation procedures (including e-filing) is a significant plus.
• Experience in a client-facing role is highly desirable.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong analytical abilities with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Advanced organizational skills with the ability to multitask and prioritize a heavy workload.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Workspace.
• Experience with legal practice management software.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Demonstrates sound judgment, initiative, and creative problem-solving skills.
• Excellent customer service skills and a professional demeanor.

Education:

• Associate's degree or bachelor's degree.
• Paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved program is strongly preferred.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Salary range of $42,000 - $58,000 per year, commensurate with experience.
• Benefits include Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO, and 401(k) benefit offerings after 90 days of employment.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $42,000.00 - $58,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person