Litigation Paralegal

Position Summary Join our esteemed team as a Litigation Paralegal. You will support Fogo de Chão’s legal framework by managing our litigation portfolio, service of process, outside counsel coordination, litigation strategy, and exposure management. This role is ideal for an experienced paralegal passionate about the food service industry and dedicated to reducing legal risk. Key Responsibilities Litigation Portfolio Management: Own and maintain Fogo’s centralized litigation and claims portfolio; track matter status, discovery obligations, settlement posture, next steps, responsible parties, and outside counsel assignments. Claims Intake and Triage: Serve as the first‑line intake and triage point for lawsuits, demand letters, subpoenas, pre‑suit claims, guest incidents, and other potential litigation matters; determine urgency, identify required internal stakeholders, and coordinate immediate next steps. Service of Process and Legal Notices: Log, calendar, and distribute service of process and other formal legal notices to appropriate departments, restaurant teams, and outside counsel. Outside Counsel Management: Act as the primary liaison with outside counsel on litigation matters. Strategy, Exposure, and Cost Reduction: Drive litigation strategy discussions in coordination with the Legal Department and outside counsel. Legal Operations and Reporting: Build and maintain litigation trackers, reporting processes, and workflows to support disciplined litigation management and provide leadership and stakeholders with clear visibility into active matters, exposure, and risk. Discovery and Document Management: Manage litigation holds, document preservation, discovery coordination, subpoenas, internal fact gathering, and evidence collection for litigation and claim defense. Settlement and Resolution Support: Coordinate settlement, payment processing, and closure of resolved matters. Outside Counsel Billing and Budget Oversight: Review outside counsel invoices and adherence to billing guidelines; track matter budgets and recommend cost‑control measures. Research Monitoring: Monitor litigation trends and regulatory developments affecting the restaurant and hospitality industries. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies, Paralegal Studies, Business, or a related field. Paralegal certificate, CP, CLA, or comparable credential preferred. Five to seven years of paralegal experience with substantial litigation experience. Experience in‑house, particularly in a restaurant, hospitality, retail, multi‑unit, franchise, or consumer‑facing business is strongly preferred. Proficiency in labor and employment litigation, civil litigation, claims management, and other disputes common to restaurant, hospitality, or multi‑unit retail businesses. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, legal billing systems, and legal research tools. Experience with Smartsheet is a plus. Competencies Functional Knowledge: Applies strong litigation, claims management, discovery, subpoena, legal notice, and legal operations knowledge to manage matters accurately, improve workflows, and support timely business and legal decisions. Teamwork and Collaboration: Builds trust with Legal, HR, Risk, Operations, restaurant teams, outside counsel, and other partners; communicates clearly, follows through on commitments, and works across functions to move matters forward. Decision Making: Uses sound judgment to prioritize sensitive, urgent, or complex legal matters; identifies escalation needs and recommends practical next steps based on facts, risk, deadlines, and business impact. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Identifies root causes, analyzes matter trends, organizes complex information, and develops process improvements that strengthen litigation management, reduce risk, and support operational excellence. Role Expectations The Litigation Paralegal will act as a central control point for claims, lawsuits, subpoenas, service of process, discovery, outside counsel communications, and litigation‑related internal coordination across departments and restaurant operations. This person must think independently, identify risk, escalate intelligently, and run the litigation function with urgency, ownership, and judgment. Physical and Work Environment Requirements Work in a professional office environment using a computer, phone, and standard office equipment for extended periods; manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast‑paced environment; communicate effectively with internal and external partners; perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation. Physical Demands Frequent lifting or moving up to 25 pounds; high endurance and mental acuity required to manage conflict and high‑stress situations. Benefits Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance available for full‑time Team Members on the first of the month following start date. Company‑paid Life Insurance and Short‑Term Disability where allowed. Voluntary benefits package including Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Coverage, Permanent Life, and Pet Insurance. Fogo de Chão is an Equal Opportunity and E‑Verify Employer. #J-18808-Ljbffr Fogo de Chão