Paralegal/Legal Assistant

Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro PC is a plaintiff’s personal injury law firm specializing in representing victims of trucking collisions. With offices in El Paso, TX; Las Cruces, NM; Albuquerque, NM; Carlsbad, NM and Phoenix, AZ – our winning team is expanding, and looking for driven, positive people to join our firm.

Our Firm in Albuquerque, New Mexico is seeking an experienced career-track litigation paralegal with substantial work experience in personal injury law, who will contribute as lead paralegal on several cases. The ideal candidate will have the skills, organization, and work ethic to draft legal pleadings and correspondence, manage deadlines, prepare files for and assist with trials, amongst other responsibilities.

Must Have Qualifications:

· Minimum 2 years work experience as a litigation paralegal in personal injury law or with a specialized practice firm.

· Bilingual in English and Spanish (read, write, speak).

· Experience with all stages of litigation, including intake, discovery and trial.

· Experience preparing for and attending trials and/or arbitrations.

· Experience developing and maintaining paper and electronic case files.

· Strong sense of accountability and attention to detail.

· Ability to convey information to all individuals at all levels within the firm in a courteous and professional manner.

· Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to work concurrently on a variety of tasks with changing priorities.

· Ability to work equally as well as part of a team in both leadership and subordinate roles.

· Ability to maintain stable performance under pressure with continually changing priorities.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills to include communications that are clear and concise, use proper grammar and appropriate vocabulary.

· Experience with court filings, including electronic or e-filings.

· Proficient with Microsoft Office software products such as Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.

· Must be available for travel as needed and for after regular business hours work/deadlines when necessary.

· BS/BA from an accredited college or university preferred.

· Paralegal certificate preferred.

Responsibilities

• Providing administrative support to attorneys, such as scheduling appointments, answering phones, and managing calendars.

• Provide oral and written translation between English to Spanish and vice-versa for attorneys when necessary during calls, meetings and for documents to ensure clear, accurate and appropriate communication.

• Perform all elements of litigation case management, including drafting legal pleadings, filing lawsuits, outgoing discovery requests, client communication and updates, file management, court deadlines, and trial activities.

• Implement case calendaring system to track filings and appropriately distribute information.

• Organizing and maintaining physical and electronic case files, including indexing, summarizing documents, and tracking key information.

• Coordinate and oversee the tasks of support staff on litigation case matters.

• Communicate between attorneys and support staff as needed to ensure that case specifics are met.

• Interact with outside entities (courts, other law firms, expert witnesses, vendors) to gather information or coordinate activities in support of case accomplishment.

· Create and maintain working relationships with others to facilitate a positive and productive work environment.

· Work independently and report to supervising attorney on the progress of paralegal tasks on a routine basis.

· Trial assistance and preparation: Organizing trial notebooks, exhibits, and other trial materials. Assisting attorneys in court by managing documents, handling exhibits, and providing real-time support. Taking notes during trials and depositions to document key points.

· Continuously refine, develop and expand skills in anticipation of changes in the work environment.

· Adhere to Firm policies, practices and priorities.

· Perform other duties as requested by the Firm management.

· Uphold high standards of confidentiality, discretion and integrity with respect to all sensitive and/or confidential firm and client information.

Our firm offers competitive pay along with fully paid employee health/dental/vision coverage, paid time off, sick leave, holiday pay, life/disability insurance, and a 401-K Plan. Come join a team that works hard, helps people, and has great benefits!

Please submit your resume, references, and salary preference.

Job Type: Full-time

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid sick time
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Experience:

• Law office/litigation: 2 years (Required)

Language:

• Spanish (Required)

Work Location: In person