Senior Paralegal / Department Manager (Traverse City)

Company Description North Coast Legal, PLC (NCL) is a boutique law firm that delivers innovative and intelligent legal services to clients seeking a non-traditional approach. The firm is intentionally structured in size and focuses on niche practice areas where creative, outside-the-box thinking is valued. NCL aims to be the premier boutique law firm in northern Michigan and beyond in its specialized fields. The team is actively involved in the Traverse City community, including local organizations, schools, and events, reflecting a commitment to the region and the people of Michigan. NCL fosters a culture that values distinct perspectives, collaboration, and service-oriented legal practice.

Role Description TLooking for a meaningful career move with a growing Traverse City firm? North Coast Legal, PLC is seeking an experienced Senior Paralegal / Office Manager to lead our collection workflows and administrative operations in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.

Position Overview

North Coast Legal, PLC is seeking a dynamic, highly organized, and proactive Senior Paralegal / Department Manager to serve as an operational lead for our legal practice. Located in the historic Grand Traverse Commons in Traverse City, Michigan, our firm offers a modern, inspirational, and highly collaborative work environment built on mutual respect, open communication, and teamwork.

This vital position combines high-level legal execution—primarily overseeing collection department workflows, financial institution client communications, file progression, and drafting legal documentation—with firm-wide office administration. As North Coast Legal continues to grow, this role is deliberately structured to offer meaningful career advancement, evolving into higher-level office management, process design, and personnel leadership.

We value initiative, precision, efficiency, and long-term professional growth. Whether your experience and career trajectory align with a structured salaried leadership role or a flexible hourly framework, we provide a supportive environment where your hard work and contributions directly impact firm success.

Core Responsibilities Legal Support & Department Workflows

• Workflow Management: Oversee collection department workflows, case file progression, financial institution client communications, and court filings.
• Legal Drafting & Execution: Draft, review, and file legal correspondence, pleadings, discovery requests, post-judgment remedies, and collection documentation.
• Client & Court Coordination: Handle client communications with clarity, empathy, and professionalism, serving as a primary point of contact for financial institutions, court personnel, and opposing parties.
• Software & Case Operations: Optimize day-to-day file management, document review, and administrative workflows utilizing the firm’s legal practice and case management software.

Office Management & Team Leadership

• Administrative Oversight: Direct day-to-day office administrative functions, filing systems, vendor coordination, and supply management to maintain smooth operations.
• Process Optimization: Collaborate directly with the managing attorney to refine workflow efficiency and implement operational best practices.
• Team Mentorship: Assist in training, guiding, and managing incoming support staff and associate personnel as the practice expands.

Candidate Qualifications

• Experience: Progressive paralegal or legal office management experience. Background in civil litigation, creditor’s rights, debt collection, or financial institution representation is highly desirable.
• Education & Credentials: Bachelor’s degree, Paralegal Certificate, or equivalent senior-level legal administrative experience. Active Michigan Notary Public commission (or eligibility) required.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency with legal practice management software, electronic court filing portals, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook), document management systems, and legal research tools.
• Professional Attributes: Excellent organizational skills, strong legal writing and proofreading capabilities, high attention to detail, and a commitment to maintaining strict ethical and confidentiality standards.

Compensation, Incentives, & Flexible Benefits

We recognize that every qualified candidate brings a unique background. Pay structure, compensation level, hourly vs. salaried status, vacation allocation, and specific benefit stipends will be discussed and determined on a case-by-case basis during the interview process.

• Flexible Base Pay Structure: Competitive compensation offered via an annual salary or hourly rate structure based on candidate experience, track record, and qualifications.
• Incentive-Based Pay Plan: Opportunities to earn additional incentive compensation tied directly to work performance, overall department productivity, and operational efficiency.
• Health, Dental, & Vision Options: Customizable monthly stipend options to assist with individual health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Retirement Planning (SEP IRA): Opportunity to participate in the firm’s Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) IRA with employer matching options.
• Signing / Workspace Investment Bonus: Options for an upfront signing and workspace setup bonus to ensure a fully equipped office and work-from-home environment.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) & Holidays: Generous vacation allowance, paid closed firm holidays, paid birthday off, and flexible handling of routine personal appointments.
• Workplace Flexibility: Flexibility for Traverse City summer hours and structured remote work opportunities as integration progresses.
• Professional Development: 100% firm-covered legal association dues, paralegal licensing, required CLE courses, and notary expenses.

How to Apply

• To apply, please submit your Resume and a Brief Cover Letter outlining your relevant legal experience, software familiarity, and career goals.