Legal Assistant/Paralegal

Junior Legal Assistant/ParalegalOur client, a highly regarded small and congenial business and litigation firm that specializes in construction contracts and litigation, as well as real estate is looking to add a junior legal assistant/paralegal to their firm. This is a fabulous opportunity to work with a nice group of attorneys who are considered some of the best in their field, but in an informal setting. In this role, the work will be diverse, and task based, encompassing managing complex litigation, contract management, deposition, arbitration, and trial preparation. Knowledge of mechanics liens a plus.Key Responsibilities• Manage construction related lawsuits -organizing and maintaining project documents including blueprints, RFI, submittals, change orders, and inspection reports etc., pleadings, correspondence, and discovery.• Perform e-filing in state and federal courts.• Maintain organized digital and hard-copy project files, including correspondence, permits, insurance certificates, and closeout documentation.• Support mechanics lien, bond, and notice requirements by helping prepare preliminary notices, notices of intent, lien waivers/releases, and related tracking logs (as directed by counsel).• Assist with claims and dispute support by gathering project records, creating document chronologies, and preparing exhibit binders.• Assist attorneys with deposition and trial preparation by gathering and organizing appropriate exhibits, scheduling witnesses, and preparing expert witness materials.• Manage Discovery document requests and responses: support e-discovery/document production tasks, including collecting, naming, indexing, and exporting files tracking and entering into Relativity.• Perform basic legal and public-record research (e.g., entity searches, UCC/lien lookups, court docket checks) under supervision.• Draft routine correspondence and internal memos; proofread for accuracy, consistency, and formatting.• Cite check legal memoranda and briefs for accuracy and proper case citation, verify law cited is appropriate through Lexis.• Edit, proofread and format contracts and other documents as requested by attorneys.• Assist with preparation of documents for real estate and business transactions as needed.• Maintain confidentiality and follow records retention and data security procedures.• Liaise with clients, court personnel, opposing counsel and expert witnesses.Required Qualifications• Associate degree or certificate in paralegal studies, legal studies. (Will consider legal secretary with solid experience in litigation)• 2-5 years of experience in a law firm, in-house legal department, construction company, handling commercial litigation.• Strong mindfulness and ability to manage multiple priorities.• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PDF tools; comfortable working in shared drives/document management systems, and e-discovery tools preferably Relativity, Lexis/Nexis.• Clear written and verbal communication skills; professional phone and email etiquette.• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.Preferred Qualifications• Bachelor's degree and Paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved program.• Exposure to construction contracting concepts (change orders, RFIs, pay applications, retainage, closeout).• Familiarity with lien waivers, preliminary notices, or payment/bond claim processes.Benefits• Competitive base compensation• 100% health insurance coverage, no employee contribution• 15 PTO days• Firm Holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Black Friday, Christmas.• Floating Holiday: Either Presidents Day or Martin Luther King Day• 401 K with Safe Harbor contribution of up to 3%. The Emerson Group